Thursday I posted an excerpt from a book by Reggie Joiner. Today I finished that book... The basic premise is 10 "game changing" ideas. Let me quickly run through them for you. Some of the thoughts are very challenging so whether you are intrigued by what you read here, or disturbed, I urge you to read the book.
1. The Gospel is Messy. Never settle for a version of faith that doesn't take risks. The point is "there is a growing frustration with churches who do not respond passionately to a broken world." A messy gospel could compel your church to: a) Love those who don't share your beliefs and values. b) Become missionaries to diverse cultures. c) Show compassion to broken and hurting people. d) Create new ways to share your message. e) Re imagine how you live as the church. f) Change the way you influence the next generation. g) Collaborate with leaders who are different.
2. 98118 The most diverse zip code in the US. 6 square miles, home to 40,000 people speaking 59 different languages. "People are embracing diversity and rejecting those who show signs of intolerance." 1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord, always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect". The goal is not to get people to trust me so that they will hear me, but to love people in such a way that they will ask me. What people feel save to ask may be determined by how much they know you care about them.
3. Sundays are for Football. Re imagine ways the church can influence active communities. how do we take the gospel to the people instead of waiting for them to come to the gospel. Statistically 25% of Americans treat Sunday like a Holy Day, the other 75% treat it like a holiday. "if you build it they will come" worked in field of dreams, but for 75% of people in the US, it simply doesn't work. How will we "GO" and make disciples?
4. They Blew up Walnut Grove. We must wake up to the reality of today's complicated family (and stop trying to make everyone fit the mold of 'Little House on the Prarie' type families.) Every family is broken. Those who go to church and those tho don't. Those who are married and those who aren't. Those who believe like you and those that don't. All families need Hope! That's why the church is so important, why the gospel is so powerful. Most people only know the church by what is on our billboards & picket signs, or which side of a political issue we take. Families need to know there's a better story, God's story, but Christian leaders need to discovery new ways to respond to the complicated issues facing this generation of families.
5. Zombies are Easy to Lead. Too many Christian leaders treat people like they should mindlessly follow us (like zombies), instead of treating the people that we lead like they are made in the image of God. Leaders are being called to model a new standard of authenticity and empathy. The people I lead want me to 1. Care about their future (not just my own) 2. Value their talents (they have gifts I don't) 3. Respect their ideas (it isn't my way or the highway) 4. Make good decisions (for the benefit of the mission we are on together) and 5. Do something that matters (they want to be a part of something meaningful, not just a part of something)
6. Improv or Die. Collaborate to discover the best solutions. Improv acting groups have 2 basic principles 1. 'no' is an automatic dead end. 'yes' always leads to possibilities. 2. Make your partner look good. Stop thinking in silos, or in terms of experts, and start thinking, how can we work together to make this as excellent as possible. Scripture makes it clear that the Body needs every part, every gift, to function properly. We have to lead the way we want to operate, using a variety of gifts and experiences.
7. Wine will be Cheaper than Gas. The economy is a game changer for churches, not just families. As budgets tighten we may have to stop throwing money at problems or ministries, and learn to rely on other things God has given us, like time and talents. Being short on finances forces us to innovate. Maybe this means giving people new places to serve by having them do job's they'd do in their own home, but your church pays people to do, like mow the law, or shovel snow. Maybe it means spending more time thinking about what you will teach than which curriculum you will buy. Maybe it means encouraging people to life debt free lives, or helping them see how the church uses their money in whole new ways. Figure out what it means for your ministry.
8. The Cloud is Here. Social media has given us an ability to communicate anytime anywhere. More people own phones than own toothbrushes. If we are not making time to connect with people where people are connecting, then we will loose the chance to connect with people anywhere. As leaders we can use the cloud to cue parents, mobilize teens, rally volunteers, inspire kids, enlist support, and start a conversation...
9. Third Place Still Wins. (as in a place other than home and work) Make it easy for someone to experience community. The church is uniquely posed to offer a place for face to face connections. Starbucks has thrived during this economic downturn, not because they are selling a luxury item in a recession, but because they offer a place for face to face connections in a world of social media. The church can and should become a place that people turn for genuine community. Social media is actually increasing the value of being physically present in order to connect. Christian community doesn't exist simply for the sake of community, it exists as a means for building authentic faith. To do this we have to stop asking what we can do for people and start asking how we can invite them to be the church.
10. Everybody knows Harry (Potter that is). Everyone connects with compelling stories be it Harry, Frodo, or Luke Skywalker. We've all watched movies, heard speakers or read books that really made us think, and we've all experienced the ones that made us fight to stay awake. It wasn't the quantity of truth they were giving us, that made the difference it was the way they engaged our imagination. In our media saturated world everyone has access to information (truth) what they lack is a context through which to apply those truths to their life. By focusing on how we communicate truth, we can provide them with a context, that will make them See, make them Care, and make them Hope. As leaders we are called to unveil the greatest story ever told in away that invites a generation to the wonder, discovery and passion of the very character of God.
I highly recommend the book. If you are feeling dissatisfied with the way religion operates, and longing for something more meaningful, this book would be a great spring board for the conversations that will help you move and rethink. You can buy it here: http://secure.rethinkgroup.org/store4/product.php?productid=1264&cat=&page=1
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