12 Witnesses

In my walk through my Christian life and the progression of thought in how the church reaches the world separated from God, my perspective on conversations has changed radically.

I used to think of conversations with those around me as an exchange.  Something from which I was looking to gain.

As I now understand that I am the church, not the organization, it is my job to reach out to those around me, rather than relying on an organization’s programs to do it.

Therefore, every conversation is now something through which I am looking to give away.

It really changes everything.

Friday night.  Jenks High School football homecoming (beat Broken Arrow 21-7, woot!) we were sitting behind a single mom and daughter.  We had never met or seen either of them.  The mom’s dad showed up after not being seen in four years.  He took the little girl, the granddaughter he had not known, for a coke. Mom shared her story, shaken.

Bonnie and I listened and encouraged.  We’re here for you.

Why you are there really changes everything.

I have a friend named David Phillips who is a pastor in Delaware.  Among other things, David is a truly Missional thinker and has a great many thoughts worth your attention, and I want to recommend a couple of short posts to you.

The first post is the one in which he coins his church structural concept, MIROR, which is a spin off of Len Sweet’s MRI construct.  MIROR stands for Missional, Incarnational, Relational, Organic and Reproducable.  You can read more in his post, The Trinity:  Foundations for Missional Theology.

His most recent effort is The MIROR, Missional and Releasing Your People.

I was really struck by his last post and the simple concept of releasing your people.  We understand that Missional is sending.  God is a sending God.  The Father sent the Son, sent the Holy Spirit.  We are sent in the Great Commission and Acts 1:8.

Sending, however, is not always releasing.  There arise in our culture numerous examples of a desire to control those who are sent out.  People get tied to policies and procedures that keep them from acting independently.  It is a centralized mindset, rather than a de-centralized one.  It steals initiative and creativity from the individual. [As I read this, it occurs to me that some people will think I am referring to our Southern Baptist Mission Boards.  I'm not.  I may address that further one day, but I doubt it.]

I think that the failure to release is actually a failure to send.  It looks like sending, but it’s more like annexing.  Not the same.

The answer from William Carey, the “founder” of the modern protestant mission movement (italics are my emphasis):

It has been objected that there are multitudes in our own nation, and within our immediate spheres of action, who are as ignorant as the South-Sea savages, and that therefore we have enough work at home, without going into other countries.  That there are thousands in our own land as far from God as possible, I readily grant, and that this ought to excite us to ten-fold diligence to our work, and in attempts to spread divine knowledge among them is a certain fact; but that it ought to supersede all attempts to spread the gospel in foreign parts seems to want proof.  Our own countrymen have the means of grace, and may attend on the word preached if they choose it.  They have means of knowing the truth, and faithful ministers are placed in every part of the land, whose spheres of action might be much extended if their congregations were but more hearty and active in the cause; but with them the case is widely different, who have no Bible, no written language (which many of them have not), no ministers, no good civil government, nor any of those advantages which we have.  Pity therefore, humanity, and much more Christianity, call loudly for every possible exertion to introduce the gospel amongst them.

Concerning those who are content simply to pray for the lost without going:

Many can do nothing but pray, and prayer is perhaps the only thing in which Christians of all denominations can cordially, and unreservedly unite; but in this we may all be one, and in this the strictest unanimity ought to prevail.

We must not be contented however with praying, without exerting ourselves in the use of means for the obtaining of those things we pray for.  Were the children of light but as wise in their generation as the children of this world they would stretch every nerve to gain so glorious a prize, nor ever imagine that it was to be obtained in any other way.

From his seminal work, An Enquiry into the Obligation of Christians to use means for the Conversion of the Heathens, 1792.

Now let me ask this:  Do you think Carey would agree that contributing to a denominational structure that parses out pennies on the contributed dollar to the actual “Mission Field” is the same as a church taking the responsibility itself to go where the doors are open?  Even if it is far?  Even if the economy is dire?  Even if the cost prohibits some from making the journey?

My friend, Marty Duren, has a really good post on the mix of the four topics mentioned in the title.

You should read it:  Thoughts on “Pulpit Freedom Sunday”

So I was too sick last week after Sunday to tell the follow up to the story of Tommy.  For those of you who haven’t read the first part of the story, I found some folks doing stunts on their 4-Wheelers on the church property a few weeks ago.  Their leader, Tommy, just knew I was going to through them off the property, but I told him that they were welcome to be here.

Later they came back while we were hosting a block party at the church and feeding some folks.  They put on an impromptu stunt show for us, which was cool.

Last Sunday, Tommy and his girlfriend were in church for the morning service.  He said he was racing his car this weekend, but would be back next weekend.

In the service I retold the story while he was sitting in the pew and made this statement:

“We care more about people than we care about grass.”

I said it to reinforce that it is true to Tommy, that the whole church feels that way, and that we really did want him to feel loved and welcomed among us.

I pray we live up to it.

Geiger is paralleling the shutting down of Starbucks for three hours in the middle of the week - all stores nationwide - to retrain the employees on how to brew great coffee.  They had gotten so diverse that they had forgotten the main thing.  They also have cut out all breakfast sandwiches because they compete with the smell of the coffee.

Does your church look more like yahoo (homepage) which is busy or google (homepage) which is simple and clean.  Is it more distracting with a million things offering the next greatest thing or simplicity that allows you to focus on why you came there.

He reads a letter from the Yahoo CEO in response to a critique from a newpaper.  Simply put, he says that they lack a cohesive vision.  We try to do so much that we do nothing well.  You can search for it.  It’s called the Peanut Butter Manifesto from Yahoo.

Matthew 16:13-19

Peter, you are the petros (little rock) and on this huge rock (petra - assume Christ is the big rock) I will build my church and … our programming is going to be awesome!!!  You see the point.

The church is to be a driving force that would break through the gates of hell, but we aren’t seeing that in North America.

Doing the research in Southern Baptist Church the original parameters for a growing church were to be 10% growth for 3 consecutive years, but there were only 117 churches that fit into that group and it wasn’t enough for a solid sample.  They had to back down the parameters to 5% growth for 3 consecutive years just to get a sample.

The perception was that the churches that were really growing were the ones that were more simple and not those that were trying to do everything.

The research turned out to be outstandingly reliable that the observation was correct.  It was verifiable at the .001 level, which is super accurate.

A Simple Church is a congregation that is designed around a straightforward and strategic process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth.

The keyword is not “simple” but “process.”  You can’t simply eliminate stuff, though.  You have to start with your process and find what you need to begin to reduce.  It is not a model.  You get a simple and clean process.

4 keys to a clear and simple process

Clarity   1 Cor 3:9-11, 14

1.  I am God’s builder. Eph 4:11-12

2.  Building the body of Christ is an Ongoing Process. Col 2:6-7

3.  Our ministry needs a clear ministry blueprint.

4.  I must ensure there is a clear “How”.

5 Essentials

1.  Define your process - a) Determine what kind of disciple you wish to make.  Narrow the list as much as possible. b) Describe your purpose as a process.  (Place your key words in order.)  c) Decide how each weekly program is a part of your process. (If it is not a part of the process, then reduce. It is sideways energy.  Anytime you have stuff in addition to your core process, you are competing with yourself.  When you say yes to the side stuff, you say no to the main stuff.)

2.  Illustrate your process.  The illustration must show progression.

3.  Measure your process.  a) What gets measured gets done. (Measure quarterly not weekly) b) View numbers horizontally and not vertically.  (Vertical numbers are measured through the lens of the program - x in Awanas last year, and y this year.  Horizontally is measured in the process, not the program.  Example:  35% growth in worship and 10% growth in small groups would look like a success in small group growth if measured vertically.  Horizontal measurement reveals that not all the growth in moving through the process.)  c) Measure each stage in your process.

4.  Discuss your process

5.  Increase understanding. a) Articulate corporately b) Share interpresonally c) Live personally (whatever vision you seek to impart - you have to live it.  Be a tour guide and not a travel agent.  Go on the journey with them.)

Movement in a Simple Church 2 Cor 3:14, 17-18

We are not like Moses who hid a faded glory behind a veil, because we never leave the mountain.  God is always with us.  The glory is not decreasing, but increasing.

1.  Only God can transform.

2.  Spiritual transformation moves people to greater levels of commitment.

3.  Our ministry must place people in the pathway of God’s transforming power.

4.  I must design a process that partners with God to move people through the process of spiritual growth.

Five Prescriptions to Remove Congestion

1.  Strategic programming.  a) Begin with your clearly defined process. b) Choose one program for each phase of your process. c) Design each program for the specific aspect of the process.

2. Sequential programming.  a) Order the sequence to reflect your process b) Designate a clear entry point.  c) Identify next level programming

3. Intentional Movement  a) Create short term steps b) Capitalize on relationships c) Consider the “Now what?” d) Connect people to groups

4. Clear next step for new believers  a) New believers are the greatest evangelistic resource - they still know lost people. b) What is our strategy to move new believers?

5.  New members’ class  a) Structure the class curriculum around your process - teach through it b) Ask for a commitment to the simple process

Alignment

1.  Unity reflects the nature of God

2. Unity is attractive

3.  God is passionate for our unity

4.  I must align people around our simple process

*disagreement most often happens over methodology.

5 Essentials to Alignment

1.  Recruit on the process a)look for philosophical alignment, not just theological alignment b) look for a similar ministry approach, not just a similar doctrine

2.  Offer accountability a) Job descriptions should be tied to the simple process b) Individual ministry goals should be aligned to the overall church direction and ministry process

3.  Implement the same process everywhere a) Understanding is increased b) Unity is promoted as silos are eliminated c) Families experience the same process

4.  Unite people around the process  a)Remind people of the process b)highlight contributions to the fulfillment of the process

5.  Align new ministries

Focus

1.  The tools for worship can become the objects of our worship.

2.  God applauds the removal of anything that hinders spiritual transformation.

3.  Programs can become an end in themselves instead of a means to an end.

4.  I must focus our energy, resources, and attention on the process God has given our church.

*Once you have it - stay focused on it.

5 Essentials to Focus

1.  Eliminate non-essential programs.  a) Elimination is a matter of stewardship of money b) Elimination is a matter of stewardship of time

2.  Limit adding programs a) Use existing essential programs for special emphases b) Less is more c) Limit adding programs, not options (multiple worship services)

3.  Reduce special events (competes with the essential) a) Funnel the event into an existing program b) Combine the event with an existing program c) Use the event strategically

4.  Ensure the process is easily communicated

5.  Ensure the process is simple to understand a) Choose simple language b) Be brief

*”I am as proud of the things we have not done as I am of the things we have done.” - Steve Jobs of Apple [Note from Art - Macheads really love that]

Ok, so I arrive at the church for the Simple Church conference and find that my camera battery is completely drained but there’s unsecured wireless internet in the sanctuary.

I’ll take it as a sign from God to live blog. 

We’re just getting set up and it looks like we’ll be starting soon.  They are graciously allowing drinks in the Worship Center, so caffeine addicts are soothed and stirring.  Geiger has his own presentation set up and they are getting it together with the screen currently present.

The group behind me is having a good time.

Cole Hedgecock, one of the least tech savvy guys I know, is setting up the projector.  I was going to type that we may be a while, but he finally got it and is welcoming us.

Preliminaries are done and we”ll be starting next.  Back with more in a few.

This one may shock a few people.  Former Contemporary Christian Music vocalist Ray Boltz has been interviewed by the Washington Blade, a periodical focusing on homosexual issues.  In that interview, Boltz tells of his journey through life, CCM and the revelation of his internal struggle to his family on the day after Christmas in 2006.

Boltz is now divorced amicably and living an openly gay lifestyle in Florida.

Also in the article is the story of Christians who are reaching out to him AFTER his revelation.  It is interesting to note that one church even had him sing in their services.

Boltz has had some of his songs become somewhat iconic among church culture in America with songs like, “I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb,” that mixes patriotic symbolism in with devotion to Christ.  No song has been more touching, used and possibly over used, than the song, “Thank You,” where the singer tells of going to Heaven to find all the people who have been touched by his life lining up to thank him for serving the Lord.

You can read the full article here:

Key Changes - Washington Blade

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*Obligatory Disclaimer:  I am not under fire here at Skelly.  I LOVE my church and am the happiest I have ever been in ministry.  This post comes from a series of conversations with other ministers who are dealing with opposition within their church.

I have dealt with much opposition in my time that has resulted in everything from being pressured to leave and moving on to sticking it out and developing a truly loving relationship.  This is some of what I have learned.

One more thing, this series assumes that you are faithfully praying and obedient to God in the midst of everything.  If you are failing in either of those two areas, your only hope is in yourself.  In other words, you are doomed.

Very little control:

In these areas, beyond your attempts at building relationships, you have no control over the response.

1. Staff support.  This is especially true if you are secondary staff.
2. Gossip.
3. Power brokers.  Especially if they dislike you.
4. Withholding finances in opposition to your presence.

You may want to contribute a few more in the comment section.

I am not, of course, endorsing or validating any of these things, but have seen them in my ministry and in the ministry of others.  They are realities.

Dealing with them:

There is one option that can be exercised at two times in dealing with these issues (again, in addition to prayer, obedience and seeking reconciliation).  You can choose not to be in the situation.

There have been a couple of times in ministry where, despite an almost masochistic commitment to stick it out, I came to the conclusion to leave the situation.  This was, of course after seeking God’s leadership and sensing that He was indeed moving me on.

It took me a while to learn that I could and should exercise this option on the front end of a relationship.  No matter how bad the situation where you are is, situations that are equally as bad or worse are available to you right now.

When I moved to Skelly two years ago, I had been convinced God was leading me to move for two years.  My satisfaction with the position I held was very low.  In fact, I had seen the church through some very rough times and yet had some people turn on me when the opportunity arose.

Nevertheless, I got into several serious conversations with other churches and turned them all down.  I didn’t let the pain of the moment push me to another unhealthy situation.  I continued to resolve every issue to the best of my ability where I was and pursue the opportunity I believed God had for me.

After two years, Skelly Drive came along.  While this church is not perfect and I have had to deal with the same issues every church has, Skelly has the unique ability to get along.  They were passionate about unity and willing resolve issues in a Biblical way.

Holding out for a great church to partner with may be the best thing you EVER do to manage opposition to your leadership.

Ok, so I have said that I agree with Alan Hirsch, our church needs to be attractional and missional, but an appropriate balance is to be more going that sitting.  However, the primary thing the church must be is a welcoming place.

I wrote last Thursday night about coming out to find some members of a 4 wheeler stunt team practicing on our lawn.  I had been there late and I’m pretty sure they werent expecting me to be there.  Rather than run them off or ignore them, I introduced myself and told them they were welcome anytime.  Their faces were blown away.

So the block party comes tonight and it’s awesome.  We have people from everywhere that we have never seen before at our church eating and playing.  Our members are here making them feel welcome.

I had a couple of really good conversations and one I was priviliged to share the Gospel boldly - not abusively - as part of our conversation.  His name was Mark.  he came because our relationship with our local school, Skelly Elementary, allowed us to pass out fliers through them and his daughter brought one home and wanted to come.

Anyway, about 7:30 pm, half an hour before we were supposed to close up shop, the stunt team arrives.  They had their gig earlier and were going to just ride around.  When they saw us, the leader, Tommy, huddled with the guys and then came over to me to offer an impromptu stunt show.  I told ‘em to go for it and the kids LOVED it.

After they rode for a while, they parked the four wheelers for the kids to look at and we had a long conversation during which Tommy told me this:

Thanks for making us feel so welcome.  I’ve been telling everyone about this church, how you let us ride here and were so nice.  It’s awesome.

Uhhhh…  Yeah.  That rocks.

Oh, and he asked when services were.  Tommy, Dwayne, Jason and Jerod.

God just rocks.

34 “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work,” Jesus told them. 35 “Don’t you say, ‘There are still four more months, then comes the harvest’? Listen [to what] I’m telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest. 36 The reaper is already receiving pay and gathering fruit for eternal life, so the sower and reaper can rejoice together. 37 For in this case the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps. ‘ 38 I sent you to reap what you didn’t labor for; others have labored, and you have benefited from their labor.”

Whether I am sowing or reaping, it is just my pleasure to see God at work in, around and through me.  I love being where I am.  God is so great.

Here are a few camera phone pictures that I took of the stunt team.  It was getting dark, so they aren’t gerat, but they are all I had.  Can you believe i actually left my camera AT HOME!?  Good grief.  Good thing Richard harrison was there with his real camera for the other shots.

(Click on the thumbnail picture for a larger version)