You just have to sense that MAJOR change is coming! It will be change that seems like the death of something beloved to many! To other, that same change will seem like a breath of fresh air! Many will just become confused and retreat! But, MAJOR change is coming - in fact - it is already here.
I am speaking of the sweeping transformation that is beginning to hit the evangelical church! This is not something I have just discovered. Many people, much smarter than me, have been talking about it and encouraging the change for years. With the changing economy, technological advancements, and reclaiming of our true biblical heritage, the change is finally picking up steam.
Church, as you and I have known it for years, is going to be dead in a few short years - prepare yourself. We will either make the change for the better, or we will hang on to a slow, ugly, decomposition of sorts! I think Reggie McNeal stated it best - ".....within a few years, it will be impossible to think of church the way we used to - as something we 'went to' or 'participated in' or 'joined' or 'attended!'" Instead, we will BE the church, far less focused on providing "goods and services" to a membership and far more focused on "being salt and light" outwardly, in the community!
Most of what the majority of our churches do today are designed to meet the needs of the membership. Salvation is to meet their need to escape hell! (not much emphasis on salvation as transforming a life) Then we become "members" and are promised "benefits!" Join our church and you will have, bascially, "cradle to grave" care! A minister / deacon will see you at the hospital! Someone will be available to do your funerals and weddings! If you get into emotional distress / physical needs - someone will be there to help you through it. There will be fun trips, great fellowship, and a wonderful facility to enable our personal comfort through it all. Supporting the church usually means taking care of the building and grounds, being present for whatever activities we plan, and hearing preaching that covers and recovers the same bases over and over - how to live - how not to live - pleasing God - and overcoming every adversity!
Guess what - the majority of people can read the above paragraph and think - RIGHT! That is what we are supposed to do! And I don't deny the Lord's on command for us to love one another and care for one another. But I am pretty sure He meant it in a missional context - and even said so - "they will know you are Christians by your love!" I'm pretty sure He meant love that was expressed among Christians would be applied to those who were not yet a part of the kingdom.
Institutionally, the church is already dead! We have just yet to bury it! People are dropping out of the institutions and looking to make a difference in the world! The institution tends to be a "permission denying" entity. You can minister that way here! I remember when a friend of mine in another state implemented a great idea for New Year's eve - they would take church transportation and pick up drunks and drive them home! The only payment - when they sobered up - they had to let some folks talk to them about a new way of living and that is when they would introduce them to Christ! The only folks up in arms about were the churches! Yet, they got out where people really were - demonstrated love by not allowing them to drive drunk on the roadways - and then got to share Jesus with them during the following week.
Try that where you are! There are many creative and wonderful ways to intersect with people where they are actually living, working and playing! But the church is insulated from nearly every one of those places.
Change is coming - Reggie McNeal calls it a Missional Rennaissance! I'm looking forward to seeing what Christ will do when He is unchained from the institutional church and allowed to build His church!
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