Spring Training

This post continues the thought from my last post considering 4 important questions for congregations.

Question #1 (see previous post) was, "How is your congregation being the church right now?"

Question # 2 (see previous post) was, "What is God doing in this church right now?"

Question #3 - "What are you doing to prepare yourself for the next chapter in your congregation's story?" 

Now, if you have read the previous posts, you may be wondering if I am contradicting them by suggesting that you should be doing something.  Not at all!  The fact that we should focus on what we are being and on what God is doing, doesn't mean that our faith is passive.

The idea of preparation is that we are proactively and intentionally focusing forward.  We are praying for God's guidance.  We are praying for God to open our eyes to the opportunities before us.  We are asking God to show us what we are doing that hinders our readiness for His next work in us.  What do I need to start doing?  What to I need to stop doing?  How ready am I for God to work in me in connection with the mission of His church?

My favorite metaphor for the church is the Body of Christ.  Check out what the Bible says in 1 Corinthians chapter 12.   The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body (v. 12) ... Now the body is not made up of one part but of many (v. 14) ...  But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be (v. 18) ... As it is, there are many parts, but one body (v. 20) ...  that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it (v. 26-27).
That means that my congregation will not be adequately prepared for what is next if I am not prepared for what is next.

We are almost a month into the Major League Baseball season.  Every team had Spring Training before the first game.  They didn't just show up on opening day and expect to be ready for the 162 game season.  They had to prepare individually and as a team.  

What are you in training for?

Hey! Watch This!

This post continues the thought from my last post considering 4 important questions for congregations.

Question #1 (see previous post) was, "How is your congregation being the church right now?"

Question # 2 - What is God doing in this church right now?

When I have asked that question, I usually get one of two responses.  (1) A blank stare because we haven't given a thought to what God might be doing in a long time or (2) An enthusiastic assertion that God is really at work, but we really can't give any example except that we've been able to keep the doors open.

The sad fact is that many Christians have never been told that God is at work and that He wants to show up and show off among His people.  We have only been told what we, as Christians, are supposed to be doing.  

Can I let you in on a secret?  God is not terribly concerned about what you might do for Him.  He is abundantly concerned about what He wants to do in and through you.  In fact, the Bible says that apart from Him we can do nothing.  So that means that if He is not doing something, then whatever we are doing is empty and without meaning.

So, let's re-frame the question.  How is God bringing about His purpose through your congregation?  What unexpected ministry opportunities have arisen?  Whose life is being transformed?  Who is God moving into expanded ministry roles?  How are forgiveness and grace being offered and unity being restored?  How are people being released from bondage to sin and self-centeredness?

These are all works of God.  When you see those things happening, you can say, along with my friend Paul Atkinson, "God showed up."

If you are not seeing those things, either something is standing in the way, or your eyes need to be opened.  God is saying, "Hey! Watch this!"

Are you watching?

To Be or to Attend ... That is the Question

I recently preached to a congregation that is currently searching for a pastor.  In challenging them that day to consider this time of transition, I asked four questions.  As I reflected afterward on those questions, it occurred to me that they are good questions to ask any congregation, whether they have a pastor or not.  So, I'd like to consider those four questions one at a time in this blog for the next few weeks.

Question #1 - How is your congregation being the church right now?

All too often, church members see church as an event or location.  We are going to church Sunday ...  I go to the church on the corner of ... Are we going to Sunday School today or just church?

Common statements, but not very Biblical.  I can find nowhere in the New Testament where "church" is seen as an event to attend or a location to show up at.  The "church" is the company of Christ-followers who meet together for worship and discipleship and disburse for ministry and mission, being the visible representation (Body) of Christ in the world.

It sounds goofy to say it this way, but to say, "I'm going to the church-house to meet with a local gathering (congregation) of my fellow Christ-followers, who make up part of the church, so we can be prepared to go out and be the church in our community and participate in the church beyond our community," might be a more Biblical statement than any of the above.

If all you are doing is meeting, singing, preaching, praying, and teaching in a central location, how is that being the church?  What needs to happen for your congregation to be the church in your context?