Dear Modern Day Church Structure…
Dear Modern Day Church Structure…
There are people who do not fit in your systems.
There are people who do not fit in your structures.
There are people who don’t fit inside terms like greeter, worship, hospitality, teacher, small group, youth, missions, ect.
Your herding of spiritual giftings into certain ministry barns is diluting the richness of what the bride could be.
So please step back from your systems and strategies for a moment to see the millions who will never fit in your flow chart and ask yourself, what now?
Because they are leaving you for places which work within their eccentricities and creativity.
And if my mind serves me right…
Jesus was the most eccentric and creative human in history…
And I hate to say it…
But He would not have a place to serve in many of the structures we have built today.
Let’s build the mess of a church Jesus created.
The one He would fit into.
It’s better that way.
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
“Because they are leaving you for places which work within their eccentricities and creativity.”
If you’re fortunate enough to have established yourself on any level. If you’re someone unproven trying to take those first steps into something that’s not in the “ministries listed in the bulletin” box there’s a good chance you won’t find much support anywhere. If you can somehow overcome and establish yourself on your own then places come knocking.
Yes!
A good question would be, seeing that his disciples clearly set up some systems and structures, were they wrong? I mean, if anybody was close enough to Jesus to know, it was them.
I happen to think it’s mostly (not all) loose and unrestricted in the Bible specifically so it can adapt and change and be different in different contexts.
Truth. Try starting a home church and see the reaction you get from most church “systems”.
Amazing post! People need hope.
Jesus is the only one way for be free.
Great post! I love my church, but if you’re single and don’t want to be in the singles classes (youth group for adults), then you have no where to go. When I bring this up, leadership looks at me like I’ve got three heads. That points to another problem, and one that Jesus would certainly run up against in my church and in others: members are supposed to show up, pay up, and shut up.
I wish it was easier to use artistic giftings within the church. If you’re musical or good with media arts, you can probably find a place. But for people like me, who are into theatre, it can feel lonely and frustrating not knowing how to use what you love most to serve. (I should note that I do serve on two typical ministry teams at my churhc, and I do love them both, but it’s not the same as being able to do that about which I am most passionate.)
As a church leader, this hits a particular issue I wrestle with: how much ministry do you organize & structure and how much do you just let emerge & grow out of people? Is it one or the other? both?
I can’t believe people are actually talking about this! Praise God!
And if you don’t “connect” then you’re not fulfilling the Mission. And if you’re tired of the same old same old and you want more, than you’ve missed the Call.
BTW, wanting MORE than “newbie sermons” doesn’t make you a Big Fat Baby Christian who just wants & wants and doesn’t give. {true story} It just makes you want to leave and find MORE. {stepping down now …}
I will take your true story and raise you a been there, experienced that.
Fricken right
It’s about time somebody said that. Thanks Carlos!
In a roundabout way, this post brings up a great point: From the perspective of a member of the body, is the local church about serving me (finding places that I like to serve, things that I like to do, environments that suit me, etc.) or is being a member of a local church body about selflessly serving others and setting my preferences, likes and desires aside?
both?!?!
A to the MENNNNN.
I understand the frustration you can come against, especially if you are creative, when you are trying to “fit” within a structure. I have worked in a church before on staff and then have served within the structure of a mega church. I don’t think the heart of the leadership is to exclude anyone, however, too many are looking to the “church” to meet all their needs, rather than relying on God to guide.
I am an artist,someone who loves mixed-media. I couldn’t find a way within the confines of the church building or programming to use this gift. It didn’t fit the flow chart, so rather than complain about the “church” of which I am a part, I just started a group. God is adding to our numbers immeasurably!! Come to find out there were more people like me who want to creatively express their worship but had no guidance on how to do it, go figure.
I say, go out and do what God is gifting you to do. Don’t let a building stop you. If your single, what is it you wish you had? Then go start that. If your into drama- get a team together and write and perform a play in the community. Keeping your focus on making Jesus name famous not our own. Our experience is the church leadership will come along side you once they begin to understand you and your vision. To God be all the Glory.
This.
See the head of that nail? You hit it.
I couldn’t agree more…
There comes a time in our spiritual journey when we don’t rely on the “church” to provide us a way to serve but; we have to become responsible for our own personal calling from God.
Amen!
You are so right on Susan. American culture wants what can the church do for me. Jesus taught to lay down our lives. So the heart attitude is what does God want me to do! My heart is deceitful but ask God and he will lead and show you all things.
Right on! I am not liking the anti-church vibe among many believers these days. I think we need the institution with it’s structure, just like we need a home to call base camp. Not everyone can be a nomad, living under overpasses. Church as a place to breathe deep the breath of God; church as a place to go out from. A healthy church has programs AND supports their peeps who are thinking outside “the box”.
I love this!!! Thank you!!
My husband and I laugh whenever we visit a new church because of our age difference they want to put us in 2 different Sunday School classes, but both of them are for couples. It is a riot to watch their little heads spin!
Also we don’t really fit in the structured modern churches.
Thank you for calling them the way you see them and allowing God to use you!!!
S
Bravo!
Los, I don’t know if you like to read but the book ON THE VERGE by Alan Hirsch and Dave Ferguson is all about channging our paradigm to be a movement that reaches those we’re not reaching and causes us to imagine and innovate the church to be what it is meant to be.
Los,
If you want a copy – say the word! I’m totally with you on your frustration. There is a better way.
Dave
I love this post! Once again you’ve hit on a topic that desperately needs addressing. I am at a crossroads with my church and what I am actually supposed to be doing as far as reaching those who really need Jesus (ie those outside the church confines). Well done Carlos!
Your post really resonated with me. I shared my thoughts on the subject here http://footprintsaustralia.com/blog/2011/07/20/church-too-much-of-a-good-thing/. I love my church, but …
Interesting to see how many creatives commented here – I so know where they are coming from – try being a writer!
Starting your own is definitely a good way to go – I did, 14 years ago. I started Footprints magazine for Aussie Christian women and it’s still going strong. It’s very time consuming though which I means I don’t have time or energy to do much in the local church body, and feel people really don’t understand that.
we talk about the church being “broken” but when is it going to be broken enough to let everyone who doesn’t “fit” in?
“Because they are leaving…” in some cases because, as I wrote here: http://cmag.ws/y for CEO-type pastors, people matter (as in how big is my church)
people don’t matter (as in I’m too busy being a CEO to get to know anybody and/or their needs).
You are right. Jesus could never be a greeter. Or teacher. Or help in the missions department…
And I am assuming by eccentric you mean “different from the established norm” not “whimsical.” Cause I don’t think Jesus was the most whimsical human in history. Dr. Seuss maybe, or Willy Wonka perhaps…
Keep looking up.
Why the heck would Jesus be a greeter? He’d be washing feet and meeting needs. Wait. No servant is greater than His master, is he? …Maybe He would be a greeter.
Actually, the whole notion of “Jesus wouldn’t be able to serve in most of our churches” is kind of goofy. Of course He could. But the reason we even exist is to serve HIM.
I think that most of the time, all of our eccentricities need to be strained through a healthy slam of humility and servanthood.
So much truth. Great thoughts.
I say less emphasis on “church centered” ministries and more market place outreach.
Daniel, I think you’ve touched on the point of difference right there–those “ministries” are all church centered. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, raised the dead…serious verbs. Outward focused. I think our bulletin-list ministries have lost sight of the real purpose.
Great post! Church systems have to be retooled for sure! Thxs, as always for the great info!
TELL IT!
Well, I shared this, but I didn’t press the little “share” button up there, so I just wanted to let you know that you have one more than it shows. =)
Oh, and this was pretty cool. Something that could get me excited to be at church again (if they would ever embrace this).
I love my church family but I see why people like Donald Miller and others, find themselves outside of the current church structure. Those of us who are not content to just sit back and be quite, who speak up in a public forum, eventually, are not embraced. I fear that today’s American church wants only Yes men. But, I am very active in my church, they are very tolerant of my views, well, not all of them are, but most of them are. I’m in leadership, but I’m not on staff. I’d rather be a volunteer with freedom then a staff member in bondage. It works well for everyone so far. I think
staff member in bondage? really?
How would this work though? I belong to a “megachurch” and feel like a rat in a cage sometimes, but I do not know what an alternative could be or should be.
Good points! Sometimes you need to think outside the box. I think God is structured even in artistic designs. My body do have a skin and my arteries are going in certain directions! Never hheard them ones said “boring”!What about my nerve systems? I am looking to the skies and it is very beautiful. Artistic, awesome! Shocking to me, it is structured and ordered! Stars are not floating around and if so, “VERY SCARY”! We will not be around very long on this planet. The moon is still structured around the earth! Guys please keep the balance! My body is very much structured and very beautiful! ARTISTIC DESIGNED BY THE GREATEST ARTIST!