Copy Driven Churches (2004)
What I remember about this post is the snarky title. But re-reading today I'm taken back by my comments on experts. I don't think I really knew what I was saying, but today I really appreciate what I said then. I think I was on to something then. Whatever it was 6 years ago that inspired me to write that has really been developed since then. There's a reason I Peter Block's writing so much. I guess it took me 6 years to prepare for reading books like "Community".
It seems I really think it's cute to mix and match the church names at the time.
I like that I'm an equal opportunity critic.
Today what unnerves me about all of these articles is my willingness to write and speak about such things. To this day I wrestle with the arrogance associated with writing this kind of thing. Yet, I still write and continue to do so. hmmm...
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WillowCreek. Saddleback. It’s all a lot like Islam. Thousands of pastors pray toward South Barrington and Mission Viejo several times a day. And at least once in their lives they must make a pilgrimage to the sacred mecca.
How many Purpose Driven pastors are there out there?
Almost as many “seeker-driven services” I’ll bet. It’s amazing how many people have accepted Rick Warren / Doug Fields / Bill Hybels into their hearts. They may have more disciples than Jesus, at least in America, where leading a church can be broken into 5 easy categories starting with “M” or “C”.
I went to a Saddleback Service 5 years ago. I heard Rick speak. It was good stuff. What I didn’t like was the other 4 times I’ve heard the sermon at various churches around the country. (No kidding.. 4 times) You know what? Saddleback seems to be a great church. It’s the little clones that are annoying. I will say this. Rick, Doug, Bill and the like are brilliant God-fearing guys. They try some fun stuff. God love ‘em! But to every other pastor in the World. You are not these guys. You are you. Don’t short-change your ministry for a formula. Don’t short-change your people by trying to be someone else. Your people need you to show them God. You are uniquely S.H.A.P.E.D. to reach the Community, Crowd, Congregation, (another ring representing a group smaller than congregation), and Core in your local church.
Oh. And to all the hip, cool and post-modern pastors out there who are cheering “yeah!” When inviting people to be “an apprentice of Jesus” in your “church for emerging generations” re-read the above paragraph. Only insert Len Sweet and Brian McLaren in for Bill Hybles and Rick Warren. We are as guilty of talking philosophy of “emerging ministries” without really ministering to people as anyone. (Perhaps more guilty) Some of my favorite churches in the US are churches you have not heard of, or will never hear of. Why? Because they are just doing ministry to post-moderns. Imagine that!? There is a church in Arlington TX and Moore OK that are meeting real needs in real ways. There are no super stars there. The ministries are not flashy, but they are messy. And you know what. They are one of the few churches I can say with all honesty are reaching people who are not believers in large numbers.
Hey! I’m not saying everything has to be original to you. But how about SOMETHING different! I understand that there are new words coming to express the “new paradigms” that arise. I understand needing a common language. But let’s be thinking people as we talk. It’s not bad to use other people’s stuff. (Especially since you pay for it.) But let’s think outside the box! Let’s let God use these leaders to groom us for our ministry to people. That’s what a great mentor does.
Being true to your context is not easy. In fact, it may be the most difficult thing you ever do. Deep thinking and lots of listening. Frankly, our culture is so mobile and pastors so transient that the hard work of a pastor understanding context, almost has to be neglected and replaced by formula’s to function. But is that the way it should be? Perhaps we should look less to experts for understanding our context and more to our community. Perhaps we should look into staying closer to home then moving every 2 years. Perhaps there are other models yet to be explored. Why have we not done this local exploration? No experts have told us how. But you are the expert!
Here’s an idea. (Look out) Almost DAILY I’m having conversations with pastors about how they no longer fit into the average church or the above average church. These people feel as though they are ministers without a place to serve. They are lost.
They are among the first of a growing wave of pastors who will no longer settle for less that total reckless attempts at faithfulness to God and his Bride. Many of these pastors work with youth and have been mentored by guys like Mike Yaconelli, who are challenging pastors not to settle for a comfortable job and a paycheck. They truth is all the advice they are getting is freeing them and simultaneously making them feel lost. They verbalize their hesitancy to plant a church. (At least as the currently understand it). What they don’t know is that they are the beginning of the revolution. (Here comes the idea) To administratively gifted people: Set up a way for people to raise support to minister to city’s experimenting with new ministry ideas and planting dozens of home-style churches in their cities. If I were wanting to work with YoungLife, Campus Life or aborigine’s down under I could raise support easily. Why can’t we be missionaries to Tulsa, Dallas, DC, Seattle, San Diego…etc. ? A loose organizational network needs to rise up to help legitimize micro-ministry as we re-define church. Who will it be? You? A friend?
Or maybe we are destined to be clones.
It seems I really think it's cute to mix and match the church names at the time.
I like that I'm an equal opportunity critic.
Today what unnerves me about all of these articles is my willingness to write and speak about such things. To this day I wrestle with the arrogance associated with writing this kind of thing. Yet, I still write and continue to do so. hmmm...
-------------------------------------------------
WillowCreek. Saddleback. It’s all a lot like Islam. Thousands of pastors pray toward South Barrington and Mission Viejo several times a day. And at least once in their lives they must make a pilgrimage to the sacred mecca.
How many Purpose Driven pastors are there out there?
Almost as many “seeker-driven services” I’ll bet. It’s amazing how many people have accepted Rick Warren / Doug Fields / Bill Hybels into their hearts. They may have more disciples than Jesus, at least in America, where leading a church can be broken into 5 easy categories starting with “M” or “C”.
I went to a Saddleback Service 5 years ago. I heard Rick speak. It was good stuff. What I didn’t like was the other 4 times I’ve heard the sermon at various churches around the country. (No kidding.. 4 times) You know what? Saddleback seems to be a great church. It’s the little clones that are annoying. I will say this. Rick, Doug, Bill and the like are brilliant God-fearing guys. They try some fun stuff. God love ‘em! But to every other pastor in the World. You are not these guys. You are you. Don’t short-change your ministry for a formula. Don’t short-change your people by trying to be someone else. Your people need you to show them God. You are uniquely S.H.A.P.E.D. to reach the Community, Crowd, Congregation, (another ring representing a group smaller than congregation), and Core in your local church.
Oh. And to all the hip, cool and post-modern pastors out there who are cheering “yeah!” When inviting people to be “an apprentice of Jesus” in your “church for emerging generations” re-read the above paragraph. Only insert Len Sweet and Brian McLaren in for Bill Hybles and Rick Warren. We are as guilty of talking philosophy of “emerging ministries” without really ministering to people as anyone. (Perhaps more guilty) Some of my favorite churches in the US are churches you have not heard of, or will never hear of. Why? Because they are just doing ministry to post-moderns. Imagine that!? There is a church in Arlington TX and Moore OK that are meeting real needs in real ways. There are no super stars there. The ministries are not flashy, but they are messy. And you know what. They are one of the few churches I can say with all honesty are reaching people who are not believers in large numbers.
Hey! I’m not saying everything has to be original to you. But how about SOMETHING different! I understand that there are new words coming to express the “new paradigms” that arise. I understand needing a common language. But let’s be thinking people as we talk. It’s not bad to use other people’s stuff. (Especially since you pay for it.) But let’s think outside the box! Let’s let God use these leaders to groom us for our ministry to people. That’s what a great mentor does.
Being true to your context is not easy. In fact, it may be the most difficult thing you ever do. Deep thinking and lots of listening. Frankly, our culture is so mobile and pastors so transient that the hard work of a pastor understanding context, almost has to be neglected and replaced by formula’s to function. But is that the way it should be? Perhaps we should look less to experts for understanding our context and more to our community. Perhaps we should look into staying closer to home then moving every 2 years. Perhaps there are other models yet to be explored. Why have we not done this local exploration? No experts have told us how. But you are the expert!
Here’s an idea. (Look out) Almost DAILY I’m having conversations with pastors about how they no longer fit into the average church or the above average church. These people feel as though they are ministers without a place to serve. They are lost.
They are among the first of a growing wave of pastors who will no longer settle for less that total reckless attempts at faithfulness to God and his Bride. Many of these pastors work with youth and have been mentored by guys like Mike Yaconelli, who are challenging pastors not to settle for a comfortable job and a paycheck. They truth is all the advice they are getting is freeing them and simultaneously making them feel lost. They verbalize their hesitancy to plant a church. (At least as the currently understand it). What they don’t know is that they are the beginning of the revolution. (Here comes the idea) To administratively gifted people: Set up a way for people to raise support to minister to city’s experimenting with new ministry ideas and planting dozens of home-style churches in their cities. If I were wanting to work with YoungLife, Campus Life or aborigine’s down under I could raise support easily. Why can’t we be missionaries to Tulsa, Dallas, DC, Seattle, San Diego…etc. ? A loose organizational network needs to rise up to help legitimize micro-ministry as we re-define church. Who will it be? You? A friend?
Or maybe we are destined to be clones.
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