Trust me when I tell you that I know the question is a bit vague? Which existing church? In what setting? Made up of what kind of people? My focus is on our church - ABC. Now, my question is about the transition from an institutional mindset and structure to a missional mindset and structure! We have already made much progress in three years - but I know that we have so much further to go! People like Reggie McNeal make such obvious sense about the collapse of the church culture and generational differences and the need for a return to our missionary status and purpose as a church.
It all sounds so reasonable and absolutely right to me - and my staff - and folks that get it. But it is so difficult to undo 75 or more years of institutional DNA!!! I did my doctoral work on developing a kingdom focus in a Baptist association. In that research I was introduced to Claude Payne and Hamilton Beazley who wrote a great book, Reclaiming the Great Commission .They wrote:
In the missionary model, the primary goal is to make disciples in accordance with the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. From discipleship and the practices and commitments it brings flow all kinds of other blessings, which include the transformation of lives. By contrast, the goal of the maintenance model is to maintain the Church as it is. A few refinements may be made here and there, but the primary objective is to keep the congregation, judicatory, or denomination unchanged and operating smoothly. Innovation is neither sought nor embraced. Management is by exception - that is, whatever goes wrong gets the leaders' attention so it can be rectified and the status quo can be reinstated (page 49).
I admire (and even envy) many of these great guys whose blogs I read who have started churches with God-sized results. Yet, there are many churches like mine - strong, well financed, and sitting in the midst of 12,000 people within 8 miles - all outside any city!!! And God has called me here to transition it from an institutional model to a missional model! From time to time, I wonder if it can be done - and how long does it have to take!
My conviction is that the process will always be ongoing - but that the transition will not run like a steam roller until the people of God realize they are God's missionary people. I am still trying to get us out of the "lets support our church"(the institution) mode into the "lets see what God will do" spirit.
Church (institutional and otherwise) support is not a problem in the missional church - where people are in a genuine love relationship with God and have His focus. On the other hand, in the institutional church, support and commitment are always a problem because support and commitment become the focus of ministry. God is not the focus. The difficult thing is having the wisdom to know how to transition the church without destroying people. Can it be done? It must be possible - or God would not have sent me and others here to do it!
To stay engaged and encouraged, my staff and I will go to Unleash 2007 to see and participate with others who have the missional passion! Please give me your comments!
simple answer?
YES it can.
The question is how many will.
Successful transitions will start with a small cluster of people and spread. To try to move the entire church in one movement, I believe will be very hard.
I'll be in prayer for you, please keep everyone updated about the steps your taking!
Posted by: Jerry | March 08, 2007 at 10:53 PM
Yah - I think an important step is to begin socializing the plan and understand what this transition means in terms of time and feasibility.
Being a change agent is tough...really tough...
Posted by: JD Longmire | March 09, 2007 at 03:35 PM