RM looked to the blogging world for some answers the other day. I have a question too. I'm trying -- often desperately -- to teach our congregation that "keeping the church going" isn't what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. It smacks of survivalism and that's not what the church is (supposed to be) about.
I'm trying to teach missional discipleship. And yet . . . we have specific needs within our congregation that will basically . . . serve our congregation, at least in the beginning.
Equipping leaders to equip others will -- ostensibly -- have an impact beyond our walls. But this also assumes that the equipped will remember that the purpose of the church doesn't stop at their own souls. The equipped respond by taking what they believe, know, love out.
So . . . here's the thing. As September quickly approaches, we still need:
- Godly Play leaders (who will share the message of God with our children during worship)
- Liturgists (who will lead worship in a way that inspires)
- Head Ushers (whose service makes worship in the sanctuary more accessible)
- Small Group Leaders (who will model personal study, prayer, community)
If these leaders are passionate and called, then those they serve in the church building (the children, the worshippers, the fellow travelers in faith) will take what they receive and share it in their neighborhoods and schools and workplaces.
What I don't want: perpetuating the impression that our focus is within the walls of our building.
Any ideas?
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6 comments:
One thing our church does to combat this is to encourage all groups in the church to participate as a group in some kind of project outside the walls of the church. For example, the ushers could serve lunch as a group on a Saturday at a local soup kitchen, or work in the food pantry. Each group picks its own service project to remind themselves of the need to focus outwardly as well as inwardly. We do this with new member classes as well.
i think what you say in your post reflects the difficulty of living the faith. yes - it is important to serve the needs "inside the church", but let's hope that we do it with a focus and purpose as a church which must be ultimately serving the needs of helping God's world.
our church is in a process where we are trying to figure out how we are supposed to hook into god's mission. we have been hearing over and over again "god's mission needs a church".
personally, i think calling youth and adults to worship God is part of God's mission. so, the godly play and liturgist is certainly getting outside your own needs and looking to what god needs - a worshiping people. ( and i am sure the other two needs are important too)
i appreciate your struggle in this, but i would encourage you not to lose site of how these things which might look like "church agenda" or "self preservation" can also be looked at as serving "God's mission" in the world God so loves.
so long ramble short: i wouldn't beat yourself up too much for the needs you all are filling, but i would keep participating in the struggle to make sure that people understand the larger concept of church to which they are ultimately serving.
i could really keep rambling - sorry so long - i have a lot to say on this subject!
I truly believe that providing worship that nourishes the spirits of those who attend is not inwardly focused.
Having all of the pieces in place for all who worship (Godly play,ushers, liturgists) is a service FPC is providing to the world, and will surely include the message that we are nourished for mission (which takes so many forms). Worship is missional when it inspires worshipers to think about how to carry message/missoin/worship into the world in all encounters.
You're doing all the right things.
The conundrum of both/and, not either/or. We are called to "seek the welfare of the city" and "teach us to pray" and "glorify God" and be a people in covenant discipleship - where ever we are physically located. Acts 2:42, Ephesians, Corinthians, elsewhere call us to nurture one another, to build up the body. And even as the "ecclesia" - we are a called out people (sent out apostles) even as we are called together to worship, learn, serve...to me it's like canon within a canon - we can't prevent some people from developing one but we don't have to teach/preach/model it as a corporate standard. You are faithful to the wider vision, Jan - keep on with the message and the struggle.
An article by David Forney in Journal of Religous Leadership in 2006 - about Missional Polity - has an interesting take on this you might find helpful, too. Based on exegesis of the Letter to the Hebrews.
Sarah
My comment got too long... will post it soon at my place.
Oh I know you have been dying to read my reflections on your question!
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