Continuing on with my highlights and thoughts on the book by Floyd McClung.
Three Responsibilities of Those Who Lead in a Simple-Church Community
those that are given spiritual leadership are called to lead. It is going in front. It is making decisions and persuading others to be part of the decision. You can tell a leader because he or she has a following. He is not thinking in terms of hierarchy, but of relationship and responsibility.
Three primary responsibilities of those who lead in a local ecclesia:
To guard
1. Against wolves from within (Acts 20:28-30)
2. Against false doctrine (2 Tim. 4:1-5)
3. Aginst decievers (2 John 7-11)
4. Against those who cause divisions (Rom 16:17-18; Titus 3:10)
5. Aginst influences of sexual promiscuity (1 Cor. 5:9-13)
To govern
1. By caring for people.
2. By teaching God's word.
3. By correcting people in error.
4. By appointing other elders.
5. By making decisions.
To guide
1. By teaching the Word.
2. By discipling and equipping others to lead.
3. By imparting passion for God's glory to others.
Simple church by its size and nature needs a coaching and supporting leadership style, not a directing or delegating manner of leading.
Submission to Spiritual, Task, and Teaching Authority
The Bible makes it clear that we are to be committed to a local community of Jesus-followers. Being part of a simple-church community includes submission to true spiritual authority, which means we are humble enough to allow ourselves to be served by others with spiritual gifts we don't have. Some have erroneously taught that to be part of a simple church or house church is to be free from all spiritual authority. In fact, submission to a person or a group of people who follow Jesus is a sign of spiritual maturity. That includes submitting to those who lead. However, there is a difference between submission and blind obedience. Obedience for the sake of obedieince is not good. We can obey evil as well as good; we can obey man when we ought to obey God. Nor is obedience that produces conformity biblical obedience. Obedience to spiritual leaders in order to gain acceptance feeds an unhealthy need for approval.
Three Kinds of Authority
Task Authority
A person put in charge of a task or projects gives assignments and direction. Under him or her is a group of people whose responsibility is to comply with the leader's instructions as promptly and efficiently as they can.
In a work situation, sometimes we just needd to be told what to do and do it.
Teaching Authority
Teaching authority is based on the ability to persuade. The pastor or leader who balks at being asked legitimate questions needs to understand the difference between the different types of authority.
Spiritual Authority
The purpose of spiritual authority is not for passive compliance but for people to be motivated from the heart by Jesus' commands. Those with spiritual authority have responsibilities to guard, govern, and guide those they are given authority to lead. Their task is made easier if those they lead submit to their leadership. If their leadership is exercised in a mature manner, they will seek to influence those they to hear God for themselves and obey him from the heart. Spiritual growth happens through self-discovery, not imposed obedience. The purpose of spiritual authority is to inspire people to obey the commands of Jesus and to equip them for service, not command or control people's lives.
The essence of Christian maturity is a response from the heart to the will of God and to the direction given by spiritual leaders.
A spiritual leader may be a channel of God's Spirit motivating a person, but that person still needs to internalize what God is saying to him or her. Telling people what they must do, and why they should not do something else, may get a leader the immediate results he or she wants, but it doesn't produce spiritual maturity in others.
The exercise of spiritual authority in relation to this kind of obedience should be aimed at helping people discover the will of God by hearing God themselves. If people know how to hear God themselves, then spontaneously reproducing movements of simple churches are much more likely to happen. Top-down spiritual authority stifles a movement, making the leaders the bottleneck through which all decisions must pass. But when people hear God for themselves, they can get on with the work God has called all of us to do.
Tomorrow we'll look at a summary of spiritual authority, among other things dealing with leadership. Today I was able to work about and hour and a half with Greg doing landscaping. It was great. Though I have pain, while I was working, I felt no pain. Tomorrow it may hurt again, and possibly even worse, but it was better than staying home thinking about it. I hope to continue working through my healing over the next few weeks. Have a blessed sunny Monday.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
You See Bones, I See an Army (cont,)
Continuing with Chapter 3 by Floyd McClung.
It's About Bonding and First Impressions
The challenge in church today is that people are imprinted by other people who don't have the DNA of radical New Testament church. They have bonded to meeting-oriented church, to church done for them by pastors, and to church that is conducted in a building one day a week. They have a DNA of dependency on the life-support systems of Sunday school, youth programs, and men's and women's ministries. I often picture this kind of churchgoer as a very sick patient in an ICU ward, in isolation, hooked up to a life-support systems. And that is what conventional church does for many people. They are dependent on the ministries of the church. church for these people is not a radical movement where they are leading people to Christ and baptizing their converts weekly, but something that exists to serve them, to keep them alive.
If the leaders and members of conventional churches are busy maintaining the business systems and structures of the church and don't have time to be winning people to Christ, the people will bond to the Western business-oriented DNA of their leaders. If their leaders don't reproduce followers of Jesus, the people won't believe it is a high value in the church. If the leaders see themselves as the ones who run the church instead of those who preach to the lost and disciple new believers, then the people will be imprinted with that DNA. The DNA of a church at the deepest level sets the pattern of who the church becomes. It is that pattern that determines how everything else grows and reproduces, or doesn't grow at all.
Like Jesus, we don't have the right to say who can and cannot do things for God. We cannot set limits on people's spiritual authority.
God distributes authority in simple-church communities to each person. People who lead do so without needing permission or position to get on with carrying out the Great Commission. One's covering is found in his or her position in Christ, and not in human positions above them in the chain of command. It comes from heart-level humility that others recognize and accept.
The dangers of the top-down hierarchical model of command-and-control-type leadership is that it ties people to a chain of command and creates dependency on other people for empowerment and permission to minister. A codependency is developed that is unhealthy and will not lead to reproducing churches spontaneously.
Many people fear that without the top-down model of leadership there will be no clear authority. This is a false assumption based on bad experiences or lack of experience, or worse, a lack of understanding of how God designed his church to function. The strongest authority one can have is spiritual authority. If a person's life does not warrant them influence in the lives of others, then they won't be respected. But if they speak with wisdom and insight, and serve with a humble attitude, people will notice and will follow them, regardless of the person's title or position. Jesus led in this manner.
I have personal experience in this area. I was once removed from ministry by the person above me and was no longer allowed to disciple anyone. I knew at the time this was very wrong, unhealthy, and unbiblical. But, wanting to submit to my authority and keep peace in the church, I obeyed. Looking back, I wish I hadn't. Floyd explains above how our ultimate authority comes from our position in Christ. I see many loyal church-goers struggling in this area. Their scope is limited to the immediate church, not the Kingdom of God. They put their Pastor above their God in making decisions. Is it because the ramifications of not obeying the Pastor appear more immediate and threatening than the wrath of the Almighty? What if the Pastor is wrong? Greg encourages all our leaders to question his direction, to line up what he says with what the Bible says. He tells them to obey the Bible if he's wrong. He expects that. He has always done that. Once it cost him his job as Associate Pastor, but he did the right thing.
Do you have the courage to do the right thing? I wish I had.
It's About Bonding and First Impressions
The challenge in church today is that people are imprinted by other people who don't have the DNA of radical New Testament church. They have bonded to meeting-oriented church, to church done for them by pastors, and to church that is conducted in a building one day a week. They have a DNA of dependency on the life-support systems of Sunday school, youth programs, and men's and women's ministries. I often picture this kind of churchgoer as a very sick patient in an ICU ward, in isolation, hooked up to a life-support systems. And that is what conventional church does for many people. They are dependent on the ministries of the church. church for these people is not a radical movement where they are leading people to Christ and baptizing their converts weekly, but something that exists to serve them, to keep them alive.
If the leaders and members of conventional churches are busy maintaining the business systems and structures of the church and don't have time to be winning people to Christ, the people will bond to the Western business-oriented DNA of their leaders. If their leaders don't reproduce followers of Jesus, the people won't believe it is a high value in the church. If the leaders see themselves as the ones who run the church instead of those who preach to the lost and disciple new believers, then the people will be imprinted with that DNA. The DNA of a church at the deepest level sets the pattern of who the church becomes. It is that pattern that determines how everything else grows and reproduces, or doesn't grow at all.
Like Jesus, we don't have the right to say who can and cannot do things for God. We cannot set limits on people's spiritual authority.
God distributes authority in simple-church communities to each person. People who lead do so without needing permission or position to get on with carrying out the Great Commission. One's covering is found in his or her position in Christ, and not in human positions above them in the chain of command. It comes from heart-level humility that others recognize and accept.
The dangers of the top-down hierarchical model of command-and-control-type leadership is that it ties people to a chain of command and creates dependency on other people for empowerment and permission to minister. A codependency is developed that is unhealthy and will not lead to reproducing churches spontaneously.
Many people fear that without the top-down model of leadership there will be no clear authority. This is a false assumption based on bad experiences or lack of experience, or worse, a lack of understanding of how God designed his church to function. The strongest authority one can have is spiritual authority. If a person's life does not warrant them influence in the lives of others, then they won't be respected. But if they speak with wisdom and insight, and serve with a humble attitude, people will notice and will follow them, regardless of the person's title or position. Jesus led in this manner.
I have personal experience in this area. I was once removed from ministry by the person above me and was no longer allowed to disciple anyone. I knew at the time this was very wrong, unhealthy, and unbiblical. But, wanting to submit to my authority and keep peace in the church, I obeyed. Looking back, I wish I hadn't. Floyd explains above how our ultimate authority comes from our position in Christ. I see many loyal church-goers struggling in this area. Their scope is limited to the immediate church, not the Kingdom of God. They put their Pastor above their God in making decisions. Is it because the ramifications of not obeying the Pastor appear more immediate and threatening than the wrath of the Almighty? What if the Pastor is wrong? Greg encourages all our leaders to question his direction, to line up what he says with what the Bible says. He tells them to obey the Bible if he's wrong. He expects that. He has always done that. Once it cost him his job as Associate Pastor, but he did the right thing.
Do you have the courage to do the right thing? I wish I had.
Friday, December 11, 2009
You See Bones, I See an Army (cont,)
Now on to Chapter 3 by Floyd McClung.
Paul patiently waited to appoint leaders in the churches he started until they had time to grow and find their way. Sometimes he left them to develop on their own, encouraging them to build on the values, truths, and passions he imparted to them while he was with them. He trusted the Holy Spirit in them to guide them.
There is a time and place to train spiritual leaders. But if we get ahead of God's timetable inpeople's lives, it may actually hinder natural development. If we try to force growth in spiritual leaders before they are ready, it creates problems, such as a performance mentality, unhealthy dependency, and an inability to think and discern for oneself.
Those who appreciate the beauty and innate order of God's natural design for the church serve the church with the greatest wisdom.
What gives the church cohesion on such a model? Its values and vision. When the values and vision of the kingdom are clearly understood by those who father and mother a movement, and they are clearly articulated for all to understand, and imparted through discipling relationships, the DNA of the movement takes hold in people's hearts.
Our present forms of church government are perfectly suited to produce the resuls we are now seeing - that is the problem! How we typically lead and organize churches is built on a model of maintenance and direction, not heared for spontaneous expansions. We have learned how to control the church, but we struggle to learn how to allow the Holy Spirit to be in control.
Because we are Sunday-meeting focused, instead of everyday-movement focused, we immediately think about how disorderly our church meetings will become if there is no order. But think bigger: if our churches are growing spontaneously, our problems will change. Our focus will not be about meetings alone, as important as they are, but how to disciple the leaders as they disciple new converts and equip leaders to lead and reproduce themselves.
Structure should never control life, only serve it. Only involve people in structures who are secure with being out of sight and serving. You don't use a water hose to build water pipes in a large block of houses, nor should you invite someone to be an elder who doesn't have water flowing through them to the lost, or has only a small flow of life. Elders are people who "eld," who do the stuff of ministry outside the flock as well as inside. If they have the values and live the vision, they are already bringing water to the thirsty.
That's a good chunk for today. So many things to comment on! Let's do paragraph #1 today. Paul patiently waited to appoint leaders in the churches he started until they had time to grow and find their way. Sometimes he left them to develop on their own, encouraging them to build on the values, truths, and passions he imparted to them while he was with them. He trusted the Holy Spirit in them to guide them. This is often a struggle for me. Greg and I have had many conversations about many people on this very subject. For those of you who know me, I'm more task-oriented. I like efficient meetings, bullet lists, to-do lists, and read through the Bible in a year checks boxes. Do it and move on. Greg is very relational, which shows God's sense of humor in putting us together! Often I will catch him saying something cute, like, reaching for a cracker, choosing the broken one, and saying, "I'll take the rejected one." Show's his Pastor's heart too. Many times he'll treat inanimate objects like they have feelings. Cracks me up. I digress . . . Back to the point.
Often, I will see someone who might need correction in an area. Nothing major, but maybe they don't quite have the Christian perspective on a particular action or belief. I'll want Greg or I to talk to them about it. I know if I was off base on something, I would want to be put on the right track. I've had people do this to me along my walk and I have SO appreciated it. It's kind of like there are two types of people: those who tell you there is brocolli in your teeth, and those who let you walk around all night with it. Which are your friends? I'd rather have one friend than a whole room of non-confronters.
Greg, on the other hand, picks his battles carefully. He will wait. And for me, wait for what seems like months and months. He chooses other things to talk to the person about. He trusts the Holy Spirit to do much of the convicting of someone's heart. He is a gentle shepherd. Me, if given full reign? I'm the pointy end of the rod. Fortunately, we balance each other out quite well and I'm learning how and when to confront people, and when not to.
You might be curious as to the areas where I've been corrected by caring people in the past. I've probably blogged on these before, so if I have, please forgive my forgetfulness.
The first was a male, Christian co-worker I asked for advice one day. My kids were little but entering the age of trick-or-treating. My husband, whom I was legally separated from, was always very much against celebrating Halloween in any fashion, even giving out candy at our door. I asked my co-worker who also had children, a little older than mine, what his family did that night and if he thought trick-or-treating was okay. Though I don't know all the details, the gist of it was that trick-or-treating originated in Satanic rituals and pagan beliefs. He reminded me of the verse, "If you're not for me, you're against me", and "Don't give the devil a foothold." I was convinced, and my children have never trick-or-treated or asked to go. We don't give out candy at our door. We usually turn off the lights and watch tv. In the early years, I posted a sign on my garage door that read "We do not participate in Halloween", which got the neighbors used to not knocking on my door.
The second instance I remember was my women's ministry director gently educating me on how to choose a qualified leader. I was wanting to get out of leading my group for single moms and was seriously considering another single mom in the group. This lady was energetic, her kids not too young to require a lot of need, fairly faithful in her attendance and great relationally. She had gone through some ringers in her life and had a good pool of experience and compassion. I felt it was a good match for her also because it would help grow her. I hoped it would help her focus more on Jesus and less on her relationship with her boyfriend. It was a healthy next step for her in ministry, from just serving in task ministries, and acutally shepherding someone.
I received an email from my leader who clued me in to the qualifications of a leader of people. They had to live a more exemplary life than this lady was leading. She was having a sexual relationship with her boyfriend. At the time, I knew that, but felt she could better relate to other ladies in the group who were in the same place. I felt I often came across as too high and mighty as I was very sold out on purity. I was gently corrected and am thankful for that to this day.
Another time I was told I should share more of myself with others, meaning opening up about my past. I tend not to go there for two reasons: 1. I don't think anyone cares. 2. It's in the past and though it may contribute to who I am today, my past doesn't define me. I prefer to live in the present and look forward. I think now it is good to share, when needed to help build bridges relationally. I always will answer questions about my past, I don't hide anything, but at the same time, my past doesn't monopolize my conversation. I prefer to listen to others.
So, that's where I'm at and what I think about letting the Holy Spirit lead others to repentence. I try not to be too spontaneous or impetuous in fixing situations.
Paul patiently waited to appoint leaders in the churches he started until they had time to grow and find their way. Sometimes he left them to develop on their own, encouraging them to build on the values, truths, and passions he imparted to them while he was with them. He trusted the Holy Spirit in them to guide them.
There is a time and place to train spiritual leaders. But if we get ahead of God's timetable inpeople's lives, it may actually hinder natural development. If we try to force growth in spiritual leaders before they are ready, it creates problems, such as a performance mentality, unhealthy dependency, and an inability to think and discern for oneself.
Those who appreciate the beauty and innate order of God's natural design for the church serve the church with the greatest wisdom.
What gives the church cohesion on such a model? Its values and vision. When the values and vision of the kingdom are clearly understood by those who father and mother a movement, and they are clearly articulated for all to understand, and imparted through discipling relationships, the DNA of the movement takes hold in people's hearts.
Our present forms of church government are perfectly suited to produce the resuls we are now seeing - that is the problem! How we typically lead and organize churches is built on a model of maintenance and direction, not heared for spontaneous expansions. We have learned how to control the church, but we struggle to learn how to allow the Holy Spirit to be in control.
Because we are Sunday-meeting focused, instead of everyday-movement focused, we immediately think about how disorderly our church meetings will become if there is no order. But think bigger: if our churches are growing spontaneously, our problems will change. Our focus will not be about meetings alone, as important as they are, but how to disciple the leaders as they disciple new converts and equip leaders to lead and reproduce themselves.
Structure should never control life, only serve it. Only involve people in structures who are secure with being out of sight and serving. You don't use a water hose to build water pipes in a large block of houses, nor should you invite someone to be an elder who doesn't have water flowing through them to the lost, or has only a small flow of life. Elders are people who "eld," who do the stuff of ministry outside the flock as well as inside. If they have the values and live the vision, they are already bringing water to the thirsty.
That's a good chunk for today. So many things to comment on! Let's do paragraph #1 today. Paul patiently waited to appoint leaders in the churches he started until they had time to grow and find their way. Sometimes he left them to develop on their own, encouraging them to build on the values, truths, and passions he imparted to them while he was with them. He trusted the Holy Spirit in them to guide them. This is often a struggle for me. Greg and I have had many conversations about many people on this very subject. For those of you who know me, I'm more task-oriented. I like efficient meetings, bullet lists, to-do lists, and read through the Bible in a year checks boxes. Do it and move on. Greg is very relational, which shows God's sense of humor in putting us together! Often I will catch him saying something cute, like, reaching for a cracker, choosing the broken one, and saying, "I'll take the rejected one." Show's his Pastor's heart too. Many times he'll treat inanimate objects like they have feelings. Cracks me up. I digress . . . Back to the point.
Often, I will see someone who might need correction in an area. Nothing major, but maybe they don't quite have the Christian perspective on a particular action or belief. I'll want Greg or I to talk to them about it. I know if I was off base on something, I would want to be put on the right track. I've had people do this to me along my walk and I have SO appreciated it. It's kind of like there are two types of people: those who tell you there is brocolli in your teeth, and those who let you walk around all night with it. Which are your friends? I'd rather have one friend than a whole room of non-confronters.
Greg, on the other hand, picks his battles carefully. He will wait. And for me, wait for what seems like months and months. He chooses other things to talk to the person about. He trusts the Holy Spirit to do much of the convicting of someone's heart. He is a gentle shepherd. Me, if given full reign? I'm the pointy end of the rod. Fortunately, we balance each other out quite well and I'm learning how and when to confront people, and when not to.
You might be curious as to the areas where I've been corrected by caring people in the past. I've probably blogged on these before, so if I have, please forgive my forgetfulness.
The first was a male, Christian co-worker I asked for advice one day. My kids were little but entering the age of trick-or-treating. My husband, whom I was legally separated from, was always very much against celebrating Halloween in any fashion, even giving out candy at our door. I asked my co-worker who also had children, a little older than mine, what his family did that night and if he thought trick-or-treating was okay. Though I don't know all the details, the gist of it was that trick-or-treating originated in Satanic rituals and pagan beliefs. He reminded me of the verse, "If you're not for me, you're against me", and "Don't give the devil a foothold." I was convinced, and my children have never trick-or-treated or asked to go. We don't give out candy at our door. We usually turn off the lights and watch tv. In the early years, I posted a sign on my garage door that read "We do not participate in Halloween", which got the neighbors used to not knocking on my door.
The second instance I remember was my women's ministry director gently educating me on how to choose a qualified leader. I was wanting to get out of leading my group for single moms and was seriously considering another single mom in the group. This lady was energetic, her kids not too young to require a lot of need, fairly faithful in her attendance and great relationally. She had gone through some ringers in her life and had a good pool of experience and compassion. I felt it was a good match for her also because it would help grow her. I hoped it would help her focus more on Jesus and less on her relationship with her boyfriend. It was a healthy next step for her in ministry, from just serving in task ministries, and acutally shepherding someone.
I received an email from my leader who clued me in to the qualifications of a leader of people. They had to live a more exemplary life than this lady was leading. She was having a sexual relationship with her boyfriend. At the time, I knew that, but felt she could better relate to other ladies in the group who were in the same place. I felt I often came across as too high and mighty as I was very sold out on purity. I was gently corrected and am thankful for that to this day.
Another time I was told I should share more of myself with others, meaning opening up about my past. I tend not to go there for two reasons: 1. I don't think anyone cares. 2. It's in the past and though it may contribute to who I am today, my past doesn't define me. I prefer to live in the present and look forward. I think now it is good to share, when needed to help build bridges relationally. I always will answer questions about my past, I don't hide anything, but at the same time, my past doesn't monopolize my conversation. I prefer to listen to others.
So, that's where I'm at and what I think about letting the Holy Spirit lead others to repentence. I try not to be too spontaneous or impetuous in fixing situations.
Monday, December 7, 2009
You See Bones, I See an Army (cont,)
Finally continuing on with Floyd McClung's great book, here is what I liked in this chapter titled, Asking the Right Questions.
Simple Versus Complicated Church
I believe there are distinct advantages to such a simple expression of church and ministry:
1. It is simpler to get things done. It doesn't take a long time to conduct the business meeting of the church!
2. Accountability is more natural and powerful with two or three people. It is more difficult to confess sins or weaknesses with a larger group of people.
3. There is greater flexibility. It doesn't take long, or involve as many decisions, to change or adapt to new opportunities.
4. Communication flows more easily with a small group of people. Misunderstandings can be cleared up more quickly when the group is smaller.
5. There is greater proximity ot people who don't know Jesus. It is natural for a small group to meet in a restaurnat or bar or office, thus keeping a group located among people who don't know Jesus.
6. Direciton is more quickly and clearly confirmed in simple church. God often uses two or three others to confirm what he says to us.
7. Leadership stays natural and relational. When the leadership functions in a small group of people, it is much more difficult for it to function from a lofty position since everyone knows each other.
8. Multiplication can happen spontaneously as the group grows. It doesn'ttake a worship band, a fat check, a telemarketing campaign, and a new building to plant a new church!
The difference between complicated church and simple church is that the complicated church relies on programs to disciple people, while simple church empowers people to disciple people.
I believe deeply and fervently in the marriage of church and mission. One of my coworkers said to me at one point, "You don't believe in direct sending, do you?" He clarified that he believed local churches should not and could not send missionaries directly to the field, that they were not gifted or anointed by God to send people as missionaries apart from missionary organizations. That kind of thinking seems a long way from the church of Antioch in Acts 13.
On the other side of the coin, there are many local churches that have no vision for the nations and no room in their thinking or their leadership for visionary leaders that are not part of their local church. These churches are ingrown and controlling. Their view of God is too small and their understanding of church is too narrow.
A person with a vision is not a prisoner of a person without one.
Vision from God for his church will give you faith for the church you are part of. You will see how much God loves the church. You will pray for her and weep for her and, if necessary, leave her. You will be free to love, forgive, and submit to her and her leaders as well - if that is what God says to do.
When God imparts a vision and finds someone with courage to take hold of that vision and run with it, God himself will stand behind it. If he gave it, it is his vision. He will complete what he starts in you, as long as you obey him and act with integrity and humility. Even if you make mistakes, God will rescue you if you ask for his mercy. No force on earth or demon in hell can keep you from the will of God if you walk obediently before God and humbly before others.
[Speaking of his training program for doing simple church.] Interestingly, we have to train people from traditional and institutional church backgrounds out of the old way of doing church, and orient them to the new paradigm of simple church. I jokingly say to those we train, "You never have to worry about losing your job because you will never have one." In other words, they key to passing the torch to the next generation of leaders in simple-church-planting movements is never to hold the torch, speaking of positions and titles. We teach people to be servant leaders who raise up others to carry the torch from the beginning. This is a new style of leadership that requires serving behind the scenes, being secure enough to be a coach to new leaders without poistion or title. The goal of a simple-church-planting movement is not being an up-front pastor or elder but being a spiritual father or mother to a movement of elders and church planters.
That's plenty for today. The part I would like to comment on is the last paragraph. "being secure enough to be a coach to new leaders without poistion or title." I don't believe it is always a sense of security that makes a person want a position or title. Sometimes it is a belief that they will function better in society with other institutional church leaders if they have a position or title, as the church culture expects it. It's a way of identification and an element of communication. Whether that is true or not is debateable. A person can always explain, "I don't have a position or title. In our church, we all do the work of God, as is needed at that moment. Some of the things I do or have done are . . ." That would actually help to open up a dialogue of simple church methods and paradigms. I don't believe we always have to conform to those around us to be effective in carrying out God's will for the church.
I also believe that sometimes people desire positions or titles out of pride, self-centeredness, and ego. Some people have a goal to have the most lofty job title in an organization. The Bible makes it very clear that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6. My mom always quoted "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18. Pride in someone is always the negative thing that I identify in a person first. Whether it is in their words, their mannerisms, their actions, their lifestyle, etc. For me, like seeing an alcoholic or ex-alcholoic, I can spot it a mile away. Pride is the thing I like to work on correcting in a person, and it is not always easy, comfortable, pleasant, or enjoyable. It can hurt, and it should. It is a deep rooted evil that God opposes in people.
Know that pride is the unhealthy version of what a person thinks of him or herself. The healthy version is what the Bible tells us to do. It is to have an honest estimation of ourselves. That means we shouldn't think too lowly or too highly of ourselves, but know what our strengths and weaknesses are and continue to strive to become a better person. "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Romans 12:3. Even when we have a true estimation of ourselves, it doesn't mean we go around flauting all the positives. Your good points will be evident to all. We don't have to impress anyone but God, and he knows our hearts and our thoughts, and sees all our actions.
Simple Versus Complicated Church
I believe there are distinct advantages to such a simple expression of church and ministry:
1. It is simpler to get things done. It doesn't take a long time to conduct the business meeting of the church!
2. Accountability is more natural and powerful with two or three people. It is more difficult to confess sins or weaknesses with a larger group of people.
3. There is greater flexibility. It doesn't take long, or involve as many decisions, to change or adapt to new opportunities.
4. Communication flows more easily with a small group of people. Misunderstandings can be cleared up more quickly when the group is smaller.
5. There is greater proximity ot people who don't know Jesus. It is natural for a small group to meet in a restaurnat or bar or office, thus keeping a group located among people who don't know Jesus.
6. Direciton is more quickly and clearly confirmed in simple church. God often uses two or three others to confirm what he says to us.
7. Leadership stays natural and relational. When the leadership functions in a small group of people, it is much more difficult for it to function from a lofty position since everyone knows each other.
8. Multiplication can happen spontaneously as the group grows. It doesn'ttake a worship band, a fat check, a telemarketing campaign, and a new building to plant a new church!
The difference between complicated church and simple church is that the complicated church relies on programs to disciple people, while simple church empowers people to disciple people.
I believe deeply and fervently in the marriage of church and mission. One of my coworkers said to me at one point, "You don't believe in direct sending, do you?" He clarified that he believed local churches should not and could not send missionaries directly to the field, that they were not gifted or anointed by God to send people as missionaries apart from missionary organizations. That kind of thinking seems a long way from the church of Antioch in Acts 13.
On the other side of the coin, there are many local churches that have no vision for the nations and no room in their thinking or their leadership for visionary leaders that are not part of their local church. These churches are ingrown and controlling. Their view of God is too small and their understanding of church is too narrow.
A person with a vision is not a prisoner of a person without one.
Vision from God for his church will give you faith for the church you are part of. You will see how much God loves the church. You will pray for her and weep for her and, if necessary, leave her. You will be free to love, forgive, and submit to her and her leaders as well - if that is what God says to do.
When God imparts a vision and finds someone with courage to take hold of that vision and run with it, God himself will stand behind it. If he gave it, it is his vision. He will complete what he starts in you, as long as you obey him and act with integrity and humility. Even if you make mistakes, God will rescue you if you ask for his mercy. No force on earth or demon in hell can keep you from the will of God if you walk obediently before God and humbly before others.
[Speaking of his training program for doing simple church.] Interestingly, we have to train people from traditional and institutional church backgrounds out of the old way of doing church, and orient them to the new paradigm of simple church. I jokingly say to those we train, "You never have to worry about losing your job because you will never have one." In other words, they key to passing the torch to the next generation of leaders in simple-church-planting movements is never to hold the torch, speaking of positions and titles. We teach people to be servant leaders who raise up others to carry the torch from the beginning. This is a new style of leadership that requires serving behind the scenes, being secure enough to be a coach to new leaders without poistion or title. The goal of a simple-church-planting movement is not being an up-front pastor or elder but being a spiritual father or mother to a movement of elders and church planters.
That's plenty for today. The part I would like to comment on is the last paragraph. "being secure enough to be a coach to new leaders without poistion or title." I don't believe it is always a sense of security that makes a person want a position or title. Sometimes it is a belief that they will function better in society with other institutional church leaders if they have a position or title, as the church culture expects it. It's a way of identification and an element of communication. Whether that is true or not is debateable. A person can always explain, "I don't have a position or title. In our church, we all do the work of God, as is needed at that moment. Some of the things I do or have done are . . ." That would actually help to open up a dialogue of simple church methods and paradigms. I don't believe we always have to conform to those around us to be effective in carrying out God's will for the church.
I also believe that sometimes people desire positions or titles out of pride, self-centeredness, and ego. Some people have a goal to have the most lofty job title in an organization. The Bible makes it very clear that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6. My mom always quoted "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18. Pride in someone is always the negative thing that I identify in a person first. Whether it is in their words, their mannerisms, their actions, their lifestyle, etc. For me, like seeing an alcoholic or ex-alcholoic, I can spot it a mile away. Pride is the thing I like to work on correcting in a person, and it is not always easy, comfortable, pleasant, or enjoyable. It can hurt, and it should. It is a deep rooted evil that God opposes in people.
Know that pride is the unhealthy version of what a person thinks of him or herself. The healthy version is what the Bible tells us to do. It is to have an honest estimation of ourselves. That means we shouldn't think too lowly or too highly of ourselves, but know what our strengths and weaknesses are and continue to strive to become a better person. "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Romans 12:3. Even when we have a true estimation of ourselves, it doesn't mean we go around flauting all the positives. Your good points will be evident to all. We don't have to impress anyone but God, and he knows our hearts and our thoughts, and sees all our actions.
I Survived!
It was one of those weekends that don't happen too frequently, that makes you take a deep breath, lead with your helment, and try not to get a foul. All last week was packed with things to do, like painting the sets, taking care of a sick child, typical stuff like laundry, dishes, and dusting, Christmas shopping and wrapping, and many, many others. Friday was my birthday and I looked forward to a slice of cake from Old Tyme Pastries and seeing Kristen on opening night at the Gaslight Theater. So began the treadmill, a good pace, but there is an element of stress that comes when your youngest is on stage all by herself for a 12 minute monologue. She did great. It was my favorite birthday gift.
Saturday was full of more details, the bulletin, wrapping presents for the set, and gathering all the many items needed to make my part of Sunday happen. My mom, brother, and sister-in-law stopped by with turkey soup and their Christmas gift. Then they went to see her perform. I cleaned house and Greg helped make snacks for our Leadership Team White Elephant Christmas party. It was a blast. After everyone left, we worked on church stuff for another hour or two until Kristen came home around 11:00.
Sunday, we loaded everything into the truck and car and headed to church by 7:30. Mark helped Kristen with her car windows and she came and played the drums like a very exhausted trooper. Still fighting her sinus infection, she did great, then left at 10:30 for the theater for her next 2 performances. Church was great. We had Mike do his Christmas Rap, Arline, his friend, came from Tracy and sang Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song), my favorite, we had a great and very original Christmas sermon that especially blessed one of the ladies who was visiting, and we handed out a gift to each family. Tear down began, and it was something. We must have broken 10 glass ornaments on the floor. The tree was definately a learning experience, especially when you have to set it up and tear it down each week.
After church, we came home and waiting for Greg's mom to arrive from Escalon. I went to buy some roses for Kristen and headed to the theater. Greg and his mom soon followed. She was turning around in a neighbor's driveway when she arrived at our house and her car died. Greg had to push it to get it parked in front of our house. We didn't know if he could fix it, if she had to spend the night, or just what was going to happen, but we enjoyed the performance and Greg got the car working when we got home. She arrived safely back in Escalon last night. It was great seeing our Youth Pastor's family and another youth at the theater to see Kristen, as well as Kristen's dad and step-mom.
Yesterday afternoon and evening, Mark was in Carol Fest at Stanislaus State. We could have gone, but were too tired. I'm glad I got to experience it 2 years ago when Mark was a music major. We enjoyed a quiet evening watching Greg's team beat the Vikings and I dozed off and on during the game.
Kristen is exhausted and not over her sinus infection, so she's home sleeping today. We saw snow flurries outside this morning for a brief minute. Greg is home preparing for his next sermon. He can't cut grass in the rain. It's a blessing.
So today, it's catching up on details that didn't get done last week, like blogging, and trying to catch up on sleep. The next blog will be on Floyd McClung's You See Bones, I See an Army. Have a blessed rainy Monday.
Saturday was full of more details, the bulletin, wrapping presents for the set, and gathering all the many items needed to make my part of Sunday happen. My mom, brother, and sister-in-law stopped by with turkey soup and their Christmas gift. Then they went to see her perform. I cleaned house and Greg helped make snacks for our Leadership Team White Elephant Christmas party. It was a blast. After everyone left, we worked on church stuff for another hour or two until Kristen came home around 11:00.
Sunday, we loaded everything into the truck and car and headed to church by 7:30. Mark helped Kristen with her car windows and she came and played the drums like a very exhausted trooper. Still fighting her sinus infection, she did great, then left at 10:30 for the theater for her next 2 performances. Church was great. We had Mike do his Christmas Rap, Arline, his friend, came from Tracy and sang Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song), my favorite, we had a great and very original Christmas sermon that especially blessed one of the ladies who was visiting, and we handed out a gift to each family. Tear down began, and it was something. We must have broken 10 glass ornaments on the floor. The tree was definately a learning experience, especially when you have to set it up and tear it down each week.
After church, we came home and waiting for Greg's mom to arrive from Escalon. I went to buy some roses for Kristen and headed to the theater. Greg and his mom soon followed. She was turning around in a neighbor's driveway when she arrived at our house and her car died. Greg had to push it to get it parked in front of our house. We didn't know if he could fix it, if she had to spend the night, or just what was going to happen, but we enjoyed the performance and Greg got the car working when we got home. She arrived safely back in Escalon last night. It was great seeing our Youth Pastor's family and another youth at the theater to see Kristen, as well as Kristen's dad and step-mom.
Yesterday afternoon and evening, Mark was in Carol Fest at Stanislaus State. We could have gone, but were too tired. I'm glad I got to experience it 2 years ago when Mark was a music major. We enjoyed a quiet evening watching Greg's team beat the Vikings and I dozed off and on during the game.
Kristen is exhausted and not over her sinus infection, so she's home sleeping today. We saw snow flurries outside this morning for a brief minute. Greg is home preparing for his next sermon. He can't cut grass in the rain. It's a blessing.
So today, it's catching up on details that didn't get done last week, like blogging, and trying to catch up on sleep. The next blog will be on Floyd McClung's You See Bones, I See an Army. Have a blessed rainy Monday.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
A Must See
If you haven't seen the Turlock Christian High School Drama, "It's a Wonderful Life", you've got to. Jeffrey, who plays George Baily, did an amazing job. He sounds just like Jimmy Stewart! Leon Fox, who plays Mr. Potter, was also amazing, sounding just like the original. Casey Franco, who plays Clarence, was also equally impressive, sounding just like Clarence. Kristen did a fabulous job with her monolog as Mary's mother, a jewish woman, in Swaddling Clothes. Touching and funny. Mrs. Dawn Davis, the director, once again pulled out amazing performances from all the actors. It was truly an enjoyable, heart touching evening at the Golden Gaslight Theater in Denair. Today's performances are at 2:00 and 8:00 and tomorrow at 2:00 and 7:00. Adults $7.00 and can be bought at the door. The junior class has wonderful holilday goodies to purchase as well. Don't miss this holiday classic event.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Flexibility Was the Word Yesterday
I sit at my desk remembering all the things that happend yesterday and my eyes glance over to the Franklin Covey catalog I get. (Time to re-order my calendar pages for 2010!). On the front cover are the words, "I am a planner." How true! Me too! That didn't seem to matter at all yesterday.
I got up, showered, did my shoulder stretches and sat on the sofa with my Bible, thinking, "Ah, this is so nice! Kristen will drive herself to school, Mark will drive to school, Greg will go to work, I will spend a couple hours with a dear friend, hit the grocery store on the way home, start the laundry, and spend the next few hours finishing painting the set for Sunday, catch up on my list at my desk, and take Kristen to her oral surgery consultation at 3:30. It's going to be a great day!"... Ha!!!
Kristen got up, not having gotten dressed for an hour (she's been not feeling well) and asked me to write a note to get her out of class early, as the teacher was planning to dismiss the kids early today, but I had to sign her out at the office, since Kristen is under 18. Which meant, driving to school at 2:30. My first flexibility moment. "Could you also drive me to school?" My second flexibility moment. Ugghhh. "Sure." "Could you make my lunch? I'm running late." "Sure." My third flexibility moment. I take her to school and come home.
Mark got up and said, "Mom, I think I need your help with something today. I ran over a screw and my tire is going flat. Can you follow me to the tire store to drop off my car and take me to the college? (Which also meant, and could you pick me up at 2:30 and drop me off to pick up my car at the tire shop). My fouth flexibility moment. "Sure." "I'll call my friend and tell her I'll be late." I asked him to call around to see who had his tire in stock and get the best price. He found my tire store was $20+ cheaper, had it in stock, and could have him out in 30 minutes. He decided he could wait for the car and be late to class. "I'll call my friend back and tell her I can come now." My fifth flexibility moment.
I saw my friend and spent a little more time than planned, but it was a great time of sharing and learning. My sixth flexibility moment. I come home and was greeted at the door by our 2 year old golden retriever who once again jumped the six foot wooden gate on the side of the house. My seventh flexibility moment. I put him in the backyard and went to the bathroom. When I came out, he was gone. I opened the front door, looked at the driveway, and here he comes again! I put him in the backyard and tied him up, getting mud all over my shirt, pants, and shoes. I came in and changed into my paint clothes. After all, I had to get back to my planat some point, and now seemed like the time to do it!
I put on the laundry, noticed the dog dish was dirty and decided to clean it. As I'm washing the dish, the phone rings. It's Greg. "I'm so glad you called! I have to tell you what the dog did." When I finished, he told me Kristen called him and is sick at school and needs to be picked up. My eithth flexibility moment. I left and picked her up in my paint clothes. I connected the dots of her symptoms with a list on TV of the swine flu. Sore throat, body aches, tiredness, etc. I decided to call the doctor.
They could get her in at 2:30. My ninth flexibility moment. I called and rescheduled the oral surgery appointment. I worked on the laundry tried to finish my quiet time. No painting in sight. The doctor said she had a sinus infection and was negative for swine flu. Yeah! She had the same symptoms Greg and Mark had. I hope I'm not next.
I came home and then left to get her prescription. I had to wait about 30 minutes so I finished my Christmas shopping. I went to the counter and asked for the prescription I had just dropped off. I paid for it and my items and came home. When I called Kristen to come take her medicine, I noticed they had given me the auto refill prescription that had given Kristen hives two weeks ago, not the antibiotic. I had to go back. My tenth flexibility moment. They wouldn't take it back. It was in a plastic/foil heat sealed bag, like a bag of candy, obviously had not been tampered with at all, and they wouldn't give me my $20 back. Not a happy camper at all! I got the antibiotic after being advised to call the regular pharmacy manager tomorrow. Now they're infringing on my plans for tomorrow! Gggrrrrr. I had had a good attitude until this point, now I was losing it. I was nice at the pharmacy, but not happy when I got home.
Anyway, I hope I can go to the grocery store and paint today. I dare not make any further plans for today in case God isn't finished dealing with my inflexibility.
Have a blessed foggy Thursday.
I got up, showered, did my shoulder stretches and sat on the sofa with my Bible, thinking, "Ah, this is so nice! Kristen will drive herself to school, Mark will drive to school, Greg will go to work, I will spend a couple hours with a dear friend, hit the grocery store on the way home, start the laundry, and spend the next few hours finishing painting the set for Sunday, catch up on my list at my desk, and take Kristen to her oral surgery consultation at 3:30. It's going to be a great day!"... Ha!!!
Kristen got up, not having gotten dressed for an hour (she's been not feeling well) and asked me to write a note to get her out of class early, as the teacher was planning to dismiss the kids early today, but I had to sign her out at the office, since Kristen is under 18. Which meant, driving to school at 2:30. My first flexibility moment. "Could you also drive me to school?" My second flexibility moment. Ugghhh. "Sure." "Could you make my lunch? I'm running late." "Sure." My third flexibility moment. I take her to school and come home.
Mark got up and said, "Mom, I think I need your help with something today. I ran over a screw and my tire is going flat. Can you follow me to the tire store to drop off my car and take me to the college? (Which also meant, and could you pick me up at 2:30 and drop me off to pick up my car at the tire shop). My fouth flexibility moment. "Sure." "I'll call my friend and tell her I'll be late." I asked him to call around to see who had his tire in stock and get the best price. He found my tire store was $20+ cheaper, had it in stock, and could have him out in 30 minutes. He decided he could wait for the car and be late to class. "I'll call my friend back and tell her I can come now." My fifth flexibility moment.
I saw my friend and spent a little more time than planned, but it was a great time of sharing and learning. My sixth flexibility moment. I come home and was greeted at the door by our 2 year old golden retriever who once again jumped the six foot wooden gate on the side of the house. My seventh flexibility moment. I put him in the backyard and went to the bathroom. When I came out, he was gone. I opened the front door, looked at the driveway, and here he comes again! I put him in the backyard and tied him up, getting mud all over my shirt, pants, and shoes. I came in and changed into my paint clothes. After all, I had to get back to my planat some point, and now seemed like the time to do it!
I put on the laundry, noticed the dog dish was dirty and decided to clean it. As I'm washing the dish, the phone rings. It's Greg. "I'm so glad you called! I have to tell you what the dog did." When I finished, he told me Kristen called him and is sick at school and needs to be picked up. My eithth flexibility moment. I left and picked her up in my paint clothes. I connected the dots of her symptoms with a list on TV of the swine flu. Sore throat, body aches, tiredness, etc. I decided to call the doctor.
They could get her in at 2:30. My ninth flexibility moment. I called and rescheduled the oral surgery appointment. I worked on the laundry tried to finish my quiet time. No painting in sight. The doctor said she had a sinus infection and was negative for swine flu. Yeah! She had the same symptoms Greg and Mark had. I hope I'm not next.
I came home and then left to get her prescription. I had to wait about 30 minutes so I finished my Christmas shopping. I went to the counter and asked for the prescription I had just dropped off. I paid for it and my items and came home. When I called Kristen to come take her medicine, I noticed they had given me the auto refill prescription that had given Kristen hives two weeks ago, not the antibiotic. I had to go back. My tenth flexibility moment. They wouldn't take it back. It was in a plastic/foil heat sealed bag, like a bag of candy, obviously had not been tampered with at all, and they wouldn't give me my $20 back. Not a happy camper at all! I got the antibiotic after being advised to call the regular pharmacy manager tomorrow. Now they're infringing on my plans for tomorrow! Gggrrrrr. I had had a good attitude until this point, now I was losing it. I was nice at the pharmacy, but not happy when I got home.
Anyway, I hope I can go to the grocery store and paint today. I dare not make any further plans for today in case God isn't finished dealing with my inflexibility.
Have a blessed foggy Thursday.
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