I believe

This post is from the defunct blog "Dying Church"

I believe:

• that the end of Christendom presents the church with new and exciting opportunities; that the end of Christendom means that some things have to die. These deaths are painful but necessary.
• that in some contexts, Christendom is still very much alive, and the old ways will still seem to work for quite a while (e.g. Bible belt, rural contexts).
• that some people will never adapt to the end of Christendom, and that is okay. Sometimes a generation has to die while a new generation is being born.
• that God can and does still work in old contexts.
• that those who are in old contexts need to be careful of allowing traditions to nullify the Word of God (Mark 7:13).
• that God is calling even those of us in old contexts to rethink our investments in programs and buildings to determine if these are strategic.
• that niceness and complacency are as dangerous as arrogance.
• that we need to continually ask what Jesus is saying to the church.
• that we can celebrate new ways of being the church that are faithful to God and Scripture.
• that those doing new things need to be careful of dismissing those who are serving the old way.
• that God is not scared by the future.
• that the Kingdom is breaking out all over in the world.
• that we sometimes try to contain the Kingdom in the church.
• that God and His Kingdom can't be contained.
• that this is an exciting time to be serving God.

Comments

[george]

Darryl, you missed a great morning with Henry Blackaby at Tyndale. He spoke on leadership in the 21st century. Church leadership. I love listening to the guys that have lived a life walking closely with God for many years and I'm sure you would agree Dr. Blackaby is one of those. His purpose in life is to know the will of God. To know God's heart and mind. He comes to God every day with that in mind and God has showed him so much and has blessed his ministry incredibly. I could listen to those guys for days and be fed and to look at it as a life that I could take as an example of a modern man that is truly walking with God. Here's what he had to say this morning about what he sees as he looks at leadership within the Christian church in Canada today and the problems he sees with leaders: 1. Many have lost a fear of God. (I see and read and hear that also from so many people in so many Christian places who have no problem rationalizing sin and condoning it and encouraging it) 2. Many have lost the shephard's heart. To go after those that leave. (I experienced that myself after leaving a church and the only comment was "well I hope its nothing we did") 3. Many have lost a deep intimacy with God therefore losing a clear message to give to the people that comes from the heart of God. 4. Many have lost the ability to lead the people in true worship of God. He expanded on those as he went along. I'll be getting the CDs of all 4 of his sessions if you are interested later. I was truly blessed listening and learning from him. He said he believes we are living in a generation of the most biblically illiterate Christians ever. (It reminded me of pastors who get up and say to people "if you have your Bibles turn with me to ..... if God's people aren't coming to church with Bibles that might be a clue of a problem it seems to me) It was very interesting for me as he referred to Jeremiah 23 where it talks about leaders standing and claiming to be speaking for God but who have never been in His presence. I have some interesting discussions lately with another blogger that I think you know and Jeremiah 23 came up So about your parable again I don't think its so much the problem of the church organization and structure as it is a problem of the people in the church which of course always starts with the leaders. I think the tendency to criticize the organized, institutional or whatever you want to call it church seems to come from people who aren't seeing God at work in whatever church they find themselves in. If God isn't at work in a particular church I think its the leaders that need to hear from God about why that is. But how many leaders are really listening? Its interesting Darry, I started off dialoguing with you about compromise and what does a life look like that is sold out to Christ and all that. After all this time I have only been strengthened in the beleif that the main problem with the church is the individuals in the church and their own relationship with God that in so many lives is loaded with compromise. And again I think it all starts with the leaders.

[Darryl]

Hi George: I think what you say is important. I'm assuming godly leadership is important, and maybe it's important to state that instead of assume it. But let me push back a little. If a pastor came to you who was having a hard time and little fruit, would your diagnosis always be that he had sin in his life? If a pastor came to you for advice on how to start a new church, would you tell him that there's no such thing as a bad way to run a church?

[Laura]

I also think it starts with leaders--leaders being those who are out front, heading in a direction, with others following. The question is, who are the leaders? They may not be the people in normal positions within local churches, etc. Given the changing context described in your beliefs (with which I agree), such leadership may be found in very odd and different places.

[george]

Darryl, can't respond now as I'm just leaving town till Thursday.

[george]

Darryl, thought I would quickly get bck to you on this Yous asked: "If a pastor came to you who was having a hard time and little fruit, would your diagnosis always be that he had sin in his life?" That's a good question, I would ask him what he believed to be the problem. I just believe if you are a pastor and God has given you a part of His Church to lead and if there isn't fruit then there has to be a problem. I think it would probably lead back to a sin problem, be it laziness, worldliness, compromise on truth etc, etc. One just needs to look at the world around us to know that if we are leading a church according to God's standard He will be at work through us and that will result in fruit, in saved souls, in reaching the lost etc, etc. What do you think? You asked:"If a pastor came to you for advice on how to start a new church, would you tell him that there's no such thing as a bad way to run a church?" I like your questions. I would say if you are starting a new church you have to ask God how to start a new church. I would think starting a new church would always begin with tons of prayer. We can't do it on our own, its not our church its Christ's church and He is the one that will be at work if the church is set up again according to His standard. If the pastor is in His will God will reveal the particular assignment for that church. If we are in His will and are being obedient to His Word then no there would not be a bad way to run His church because He wwould be doing the work, we would be the instruments He uses to do His work. That's an awesome thing to be a part of and as I write this I again am so thankful for the church He has called me to. That's what we are seeing in our church. What do you think?