Over at One Man Revival, High Calling Blogger Frank Jenkins is thinking through the divisions between church culture and the wider culture.
His most recent post Hate, Hate, Hate, The Epilogue asks a pretty blunt question to Christians:
…what are things that bug or irritate you about the church not your own specifically, but in general? What would you like to see the church do to help you bring your Christian or non-Christian friends?
I started to leave a comment at Frank’s site, but what I want to say is bigger than a comment box. Metaphorically, if not literally. (Having written that, I’m now thinking my own ego must be bigger than the comment box if I think so highly of my own opinions.)
Seriously, though. This issue is something we’re always talking about at the H. E. Butt Foundation. (That’s the parent organization behind our programs TheHighCalling.org, HighCallingBlogs.com, Laity Lodge, Laity Lodge Youth Camp, Laity Lodge Family Camps, and the Foundation Free Camps.)
One of the most helpful things I’ve learned is to distinguish between the Kingdom of God and the institution of the church that we often encounter in our current culture. Much of the church is doing the work of the Kingdom of God. But other institutions are doing this work too. And some corners of what we call the church are not doing Kingdom work at all. It’s a little bit of a semantic argument sometimes, but it’s an important distinction.
Yesterday in a meeting, Howard Butt spoke to this particular issue. I do my best to paraphrase some of the incredible things he says. This is almost a direct quote from yesterday,
I believe Jesus came and intentionally set up an institution–the church. But society is full of institutions and those models of institutionalism filter into the organization of the church. Instead, we want the Kingdom of God to be empowered and created within all of the institutions and organizations of the world.
He also said, “There has been a lot of intellectual noise lately about individualism vs. community. But community is expressed through institutions.”
Institutions like marriage for instance. Or a corporation. Or a family. Or a church group.
And there’s the problem. We have let our understanding of the church as an institution define our understanding of the universal church that C. S. Lewis talked about. God’s Kingdom is bigger than the church where I worship on Sunday. It is certainly bigger than my pastor or the paid staff. Those people are helpful servants, but they are not leading the Kingdom of God any more than I am.
So, Frank, when you ask what would I like to see the church do to help me bring my Christian or non-Christian friends, I’m thinking you’re asking about my fellowship at First Baptist Church of Kerrville.
What I’d like to see them do is get out of the freaking building more! Serve the community. Engage the community. Do so with grace, love, and selflessness that doesn’t turn every activity into a cheap pitch to boost membership.
I’m not saying my church acts that way all the time. And if it does, shame on me. Because I am part of that church.
I am saying, that is what too many of our churches have become. Somehow we started thinking that the Kingdom of God is about us. How in the world can we be so stupid!?
I’m grateful right now for the staff at my church who constantly fight this way of thinking. This is not a quick fix. People understand the Kingdom of God with their head. But when it comes down to our daily actions in a church body, we turn to the pastor, cede all authority in a way that disempowers pastors (because they need volunteers to help) and disempowers us (because we somehow think the church is about the programs that are funded by our Sunday donations).
I could keep ranting about this, but I want to hear your thoughts. Go over to Frank’s site if you’ve got things that bug you. That’s a good conversation to have.
In the comments here, I’d like the opposite though. Where have you personally encountered the Kingdom of God working well in the world? I’m not looking for abstract examples of big organizations. I want to hear about your personal involvement with it.
{ 26 comments }
my testament is my blog, I would suppose… second only to my life…..
Like everything else it's mainly a matter of communication. My church has been very deliberate over the past few years in communicating who we are and what we're doing in our community. We make sure that we have a presence at all community functions handing out food, drinks, blinky things and invitations that list our current programs. We take cookies and invitations to the schools and businesses in our community along with notes of thanks for what they do. When Hurricane Katrina hit people from the community instinctively brought donations to our church because they knew without being told that we would be involved in relief efforts. Communication is everything. It's not okay to have your neighbors drive by your church and wonder what goes on in there… you have to tell them who you are and what you've got going on and help them feel welcome to join in.
My comments here aren't going to be exactly what you've asked for in your closing paragraph, but since you threw out the hand grenade, here's some shrapnel.
For starters, I think the distinction you've made between the Kingdom of God (and how it is expressed and established on earth) and what we know as the "church" is a critical one. In fact, I'm scratching my head at the opening line of your quote from Mr. Butt, because it seems to me that the last thing Jesus came to set up was any kind of "institution." I'll admit that this could be another case of the semantics tripping up the discussion.
That being said, I think you're far too generous in allowing that there are perhaps only "some corners" of what we think of as "the church" that aren't doing Kingdom work.
From where I sit, we ("the Church" – capitalization intentional here) have done nearly everything except Kingdom work. And I'm amused by the new title of this post (it came through in my news reader with a different title) because of course it is impossible to "go to Church" just like it's impossible to "go to family." We are the Church.
So the question becomes, "Are we — the Church — doing the work of the Kingdom?"
For most of us, we must ask and answer the question in isolation: "Am 'I' doing the work of the Kingdom?"
Why? Because it seems that most of the Church have yet to comprehend that there's Kingdom work to do.
We've focused entirely on getting people in the "doorway" of the Kingdom (a new birth or perhaps even just a "conversion" experience) and then authorized them to crowd around the "doorway" and wait for the final bell to ring.
We've not authenticated the true calling upon the lives of God's people. Rather, we've systematized spiritually immaturity and contributed to the frustrated lives of millions (billions?) with the spectator sport we call "church." And since there's a limited number who can stand in a pulpit, serve on the mission field– or heck, even play in the worship band — the usefulness of individuals to the purposes of God have been completely devalued or relegated to warming a pew or "funding the Gospel."
So… while I'm thrilled to hear that your local congregation and its leadership seem to have an interest in correcting some of the misconceptions, the frustrations you feel about getting people out of pews are likely well-founded.
The fact is that even those who choose to occupy a spot in a pew on a regularly basis are in the community… all the time. We simply haven't trained on engaging the spheres of influence in which we all operate.
Thankfully, I'm aware that that seems to be the mission (to some extent or another) of the H.E. Butt Foundation. And I appreciate the work you do with High Calling Blogs and so forth…
But Lord hasten the day when all Your people are actively engaged in bringing the Heaven to earth.
Thanks, Marcus, for bringing this discussion to life in this way.
Great comments from cindy, BetsyC and David. I fired this post off quickly for a variety of reasons, and now I need to retreat and chew on it some more.
Speaking for myself now, at lunch I was thinking about the relationship between this discussion and the presentation I gave last week to the Baptist Media Forum. One of my slides said “Community is about people, not tools.” And yet there’s this important paradox that we can’t forget. Community functions through tools. We need the tools.
I suppose when Mr. Butt talks about institutions, he’s talk about all of the tools and systems that make a community function. That is, the tools and systems that facilitate communication. For HighCallingBlogs.com that means RSS and email and the site itself and tags and comments and avatars and all that. The more our methods of communication become second nature, the more we can get down to the business of communication itself.
Since the communication response is more for BetsyC, here are some links for David.
I always understand quotes like that from Mr. Butt in the context of his entire body of work over the course of 50 years. (And yes, I have read, tagged, and analyzed the text of every single speech he has given, along with a lot of other resources from his work.)
That said, here are some pieces he has online that speak to his ideas about institutions and the gathered/scattered church.
The Scattered Church (with audio)
http://thehighcalling.org/Library/ViewMessage.asp...
Church Doesn't Come First (with audio)
http://thehighcalling.org/Library/ViewMessage.asp...
Where Is Church Work Done? (an extension of the first audio clip)
http://thehighcalling.org/Library/WisdomFromHowar...
Renew Institutions by Renewing the Church
http://thehighcalling.org/Library/WisdomFromHowar...
Renew Churches by Renewing the Laity
http://thehighcalling.org/Library/WisdomFromHowar...
I'm certainly not trying to idolize Mr. Butt's work here. But I would be a fool if I didn't admit that his work has really changed my understanding of religion, God, the church, and especially the importance of the Trinity.
I'll bow out for awhile now and let others discuss this.
I'd still love to hear what positive examples people have of the church doing the work of the kingdom.
LOL Okay… now I'm sufficiently buried!
I'm happy to devour the materials, so thank you for the links. And my apologies for "hijacking" the discussion. I was (obviously) fired up by the earlier parts of your post and that's what triggered my need to sound off.
I'll think some more about what you actually asked for… I'm sure that I've got some great examples to contribute.
And since tone and whatnot can be tricky to convey in print, I'll just add that I had a smile on my face while writing my comments… though I'm passionate about the Kingdom and some aspects of this make me weep at time, I'm elated that this is being discussed openly.
David, no need to qualify your post. I understood completely, and was thankful for the depth of your response.
We do a lot of those community outreaches that Becky mentioned.
A mom in our church years ago would bring as many teens that would come with her and could fit in her car. Every Sunday, for years, she had at least three kids not her own with her, and these kids were not always easy to love. Eventually, the Lord moved her out of state and the church took over. Now it takes a school bus to get them all here.
I'm trying to think of other examples I've witnessed or done myself, but either I don't have any or can't think of anything. Makes me sad. I should be able to give all kinds of examples. Humbling.
Thanks for sharing Monica! My church has a similar program where a large number of teens gather on Wednesday night. It is great.
But you see the problem? Even in describing the event, I’m talking about “church” in a way that means the building and the activities of the building. Of course, gatherings are important for equipping and encouraging and teaching, but that’s only a small part of what church is about.
I’ve got a specific example in mind, but I’ll need to write it up as a full post.
Thanks for sharing Monica! My church has a similar program where a large number of teens gather on Wednesday night. It is great.
But you see the problem? Even in describing the event, I’m talking about “church” in a way that means the building and the activities of the building. Of course, gatherings are important for equipping and encouraging and teaching, but that’s only a small part of what church is about.
I’ve got a specific example in mind, but I’ll need to write it up as a full post.
I'm loving your passion. I've been kicking and screaming on all of this from Baptist churches on through to charismatic etc. Now, I know He meant it when He said the way is narrow and most will prefer the broader avenues. When I am communicating the good news of Jesus Christ as the WAy into the KIngdom of God, helping a prisoner/ex prisoner; widow, orphan, hungry or thirsty person, someone in need I know I am where I am called. Convincing the entire institutions of "chruch" or the real Church is a work of Holy Spirit. I'll clad the apron and just do it as He opens doors. Keep up the enthusiasm; leave the judment to God and show up where the leaders and people want to serve those outside.
Thanks, kay martin. Your own passion comes through pretty strong too.
I hear ya, Marcus. That's the stuff I was trying to remember so desperately last night: the non-church building ministry, that's not a ministry as dictated by the leadership, but just being Christ out and about through life.
Personally, I'm constantly thinking how the heck do I do THIS (be a believer outside the church building) when I'm a stay at home, home educating mom with a children that are still learning social graces. I'm sure that's why I'm so in love with blogging. The kids can kill each other in the other room and I can write and tell everyone what I believe without leaving the house.
But wouldn't you know it… it's not enough! I want more. Or maybe the Lord wants more.
Monica b., serving your children and loving them IS your ministry right now. What is ministry anyway—except service. The ministers, the diakonos at the first miracle of Jesus in John 2, were the waiters who filled the six stone jars with water. Their obedience was ministry. I’m guessing right now you are called to serve your children by loving them, teaching them well, challenging them, teaching them discipline and focus, and reading to them (says the English teacher in me).
At our house, it means sometimes we let the kids kill each other in the other room. And sometimes we intervene. And I ask their forgiveness a lot for yelling bloody murder when I get frustrated with them.
Marcus
Our church is doing things right. Not into programs. Way into people. Its working. lives are being changed.
We pack out both services and there is never any talk about building a new building. The focus is right …and many churches are finally getting it.
David
http://www.redletterbelievers.com
Great stuff, Marcus. To me, it's a heart issue. When the grace and love of Jesus Christ becomes real to people, then they are more willing to get out of the freaking building and engage the community. A number of people from our church of 650 have gotten up out of the pew and run a second campus ministry of our church in a former bowling alley which is now a banquet hall. We are ministering to all kinds of people, many who really aren't "churched." I invite you over to my archives called Brewski Time and Count Your Blessings Part II for a taste.
Thanks Chris. Your Brewski Time post made me smile.
Thanks for the plug! My comments are going to be larger than the comment box too. I am still taking impressions from my readership until Sunday night. So if any of your readers might like to add a thought, please do so. I'd love to hear from you.
What I find interesting, I am engaged both secularly and non secularly, and everyone is yearning for the same thing… authenticity and acknowedgement. We as a Body of Christ are STILL trying to put a name or formula to it all. I believe, THIS is what Paul wrote about to those seven churches in in Revealation. Conversation is perfect!! But it needs to be with the community at large. Daily. Hourly. Friends. Strangers. Not about doctrine, but about Christ. Worship, doctrine, service, prayer, study… man, I hate to break it to everyone, but they are seperate things. What I am thinking here, this was the point to creating the Body of Christ on this side of the cross! Fussing about what's wrong with the church is a BRILLIANT way for the enemy to prevent us from seeing each others value in this world. It bides our time from doing what is most important… loving each other, honestly and authenticly for who each of us truly are and not the walls in which we worship. Keep conversing, but don't let it stop in a christian setting… take it out into the world and play your part in the Kingdom at hand!!!
Where have you personally encountered the Kingdom of God working well in the world?
It took me awhile to answer this because the question hurt too much. I thought I saw the Kingdom in action at my old church — but then it all fell apart, and it's all seemed rather distant since then. I go through the motions by, say, volunteering at my kids' schools and doing good elsewhere as I can, but my heart's not entirely in it.
Satchel, the honest of your comment broke my heart. I've not seen churches fall apart per se, at least not up close. But then, I've also seen many many churches doing little more than promote themselves. Growing up in the military, we lived in so many places and worshipped in so many churches, it is easy to forget to look for the goodness there.
When I worked in public schools, I remember having great admiration for the ministers who would visit students at the school. They came for lunch. They attended (but did not lead) student bible studies. There was a generosity in their attendance that was about meeting people in their daily work.
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I want to personally thank you for this blog. It is bringing so much more clarity to how my family's calling fits in the Kingdom of God. My family and I have this growing desire to get out of the four walls and serve the community, simple as that. Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, where ever we can serve that's were we want to be. We have been dealing with the struggle of breaking away from our church. Don't get me wrong I believe we need leadership, Pastors, and such. It's just that I fill as though I've matured to a point in my relationship with Christ that if I didn't hear another sermon I should be able to get in touch with God for myself. I hope this makes sense but thank you once again for this blog.
Bobby, thanks so much for commenting and sharing your experience honestly.
As much as church pains me sometimes, I’m still committed to going right now. I do my best to be open to the sermons, but lately I find myself engaging by writing poetry about what I’m hearing. It’s my weird form of doodling. For me, sermons are a small part of church, one of my least favorite parts, though I am good friends with two of the three who sermonize at my church. Most of all, I need the community of a physical gathering, even if I shift in the pew a bit at times.
I would quibble with the thought that Jesus set up the Church as an “institution.” He views the Church as His Body, His Bride, His true love with whom He longs to become one. Too often, we view Kingdom work without the perspective that the ultimate goal of Kingdom ambassadors is reconciliation, a restoration in Christ of the relationship God created us to have with Himself. (2 Cor. 5)
Just a thought… Appreciating your blog today (over from Green Inventions Central)!
Kelly, I agree completely, but since I started working for Howard Butt, I've
grown more accustomed to thinking institutionally in the positive sense.
The church is Christ's body as a metaphor and a reality. But the practical
reality of the church as Christ's body has institutional implications. There
needs to be some kind of organizational structure, some key vision
alignment, someone to decide where we meet and when and how we're going to
pay for the space and who is in charge of keeping the windows clean and who
is going to make sure Aunt Betty receives visitors in the hospital and who
is going to help people stay encouraged throughout the week when their jobs
get them down. Even that sounds a bit limiting, but I don't know how else
people organize around a vision except through some form of organization
with regular meetings and structures and more or less defined roles.
Thanks for visiting from L. L.'s site!
Kelly, I agree completely, but since I started working for Howard Butt, I've
grown more accustomed to thinking institutionally in the positive sense.
The church is Christ's body as a metaphor and a reality. But the practical
reality of the church as Christ's body has institutional implications. There
needs to be some kind of organizational structure, some key vision
alignment, someone to decide where we meet and when and how we're going to
pay for the space and who is in charge of keeping the windows clean and who
is going to make sure Aunt Betty receives visitors in the hospital and who
is going to help people stay encouraged throughout the week when their jobs
get them down. Even that sounds a bit limiting, but I don't know how else
people organize around a vision except through some form of organization
with regular meetings and structures and more or less defined roles.
Thanks for visiting from L. L.'s site!
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