We definitely didn't plan it this way, but Eric's last post, Katie's post before that, and my post today all connect with deepening discipleship.
Love him or hate him (in a Jesus still loves you kinda way), Bill Hybels and people like him often dictate the conversations you and I have in our churches (can you say 40 Days of Purpose). One thing I appreciate about Hybels and Willow Creek Community Church is that they took an honest inventory of their church and discovered that people felt their spiritual discipleship was lacking.
Their study was part of the larger study of churches--large and small--with spiritual vitality (evangelism, serving), with personal spiritual practices (prayer, Bible reading), and the church's role (activities, congregant needs). This highlights of this REVEAL study are published in the current issue of Rev! Magazine.
From their survey of these spiritually vital churches, they identified four key principles of helping people grow in their faith:
1. "Get People Moving" - the top churches make it clear that they intend to help every person grow in faith. The first steps of growth are clear. The 2nd steps of growth are clear. And every church that ranked near the top had a "not optional" newcomer or membership class. (I'm thinking back to two ladies who once walked into my church and said that they wanted to join the church the next Sunday... they didn't last very long, as I recall).
2. "Embed the Scritpures in Everything" - the top churches have leaders and insist their leaders spend time with the Scriptures. And it pours out on everything they do.
3. "Create Ownership" - it's the idea that "I go to church" doesn't really fit anymore. Instead "I AM the church" is a better slogan. The pastor doesn't dictate or run the ministries, but rather empowers and unites lay leaders in their minisry.
4. "Pastor the Local Community" - these churches are relevant to the communities around them. "From bussing hundreds of disadvantaged kids to Sunday services, to cooking hot dogs on city streets to break up drug deals, to refurbishing a bankrupt hospital in a needy neighborhood--thee churches are the hands and feet of Christ in ther Communities."
You know, as I look at this list, there's really nothing new about these 4 principles. I'm pretty sure that I've been hearing them in some form for at least the last 10 years. Someday, you'd think it will sink in.
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It's all about deep engagement with your local community and living deeply in the scriptures so that the missional life of your church (ie: your engagement with God's people) is living out the Kingdom of God.
ReplyDeleteI've been having conversations in various places about the new "Rethink Church" stuff. People keep saying that its nothing new, and that its just marketing and so many people are saying that it doesn't even sound like a church... it sounds like any general community service.
that would be true - if it weren't for the fact that what we are asking people to DO is to live out the scriptures. We aren't asking them to come to church anymore and simply believe something, we are asking them to BE the church and to commit with their hands and their feet to the beliefs they have named and claimed.
The difference between Habitat for Humanity and my church group that works with Habitat is that we do so out of a gospel imperative... we bring the love of Christ to people in everything we do. And every single one of my parishoners that are out there in the world serving others should have the solid faith foundation to realize that what they are doing IS God's work.
Katie - when will you come preach at my church?!?
ReplyDeleteI know "Rething Church" is just getting started. I found this website on umc.org with a few resources, but are there studies/videos/etc available for local ministry use (http://www.umcom.org/site/c.mrLZJ9PFKmG/b.4696269/k.18F8/Rethink_Church__What_if_Church_was_a_Verb.htm)
Oh, and I think I've got June's sermon series... "What if..." following along with the Rethink Theme.
I'd be interested to know if anybody has thoughts on principles 1 or 2--and especially thoughts on changing the attitude in an existing church.
Partly, I'm sure, because of the "season" of church life we're in this month, but as I read Ryan's post and the subsequent comments I'm struck by the words we choose around "graduation/commencement" and "confirmation".
ReplyDeleteWhen someone moves from high school or college to the next stage of life we're pretty clear that there is a difference between "graduating" - completing education requirements; and "commencement" - a new beginning of what's next.
When we confirm young people into church membership we seem to operate more out of a graduation model than out of a commencement model. We too often see confirmation - or church membership at any age - as the end of the journey instead of a step towards life long discipleship and faith formation.