After too much drama in too many airports I am back on my couch in Maine. Praise be to God. As I have had time to think about what came out of the meeting this last weekend one of the more interesting thing that came out was an article by Rick Warren titled Streamline your Organizational Structure.
As you know Rick Warren is probably the most successful pastor in America. We can debate it, but hey its my blog. In this article he talks about his church, Saddleback, and how it is organized. It touches I believe on what we do most poorly within our churches.
Ever see this story? A church-goer shows up excited about our Swedenborgian Christianity or the community or the preaching and God's Providence is leading them to turn their heart and mind toward God. They want to contribute to the ministry of the church in some way... we put them on a building committee where they are asked to go to boring meetings. They become burned out and leave. They cannot see God in what they are doing.
What we do in church, everything from taking out the garbage to the cleaning of the sanctuary MUST be seen in the light of the theological implications of what we are doing. If it isn't we as church are failing. Failing people and failing God. Might seem harsh but I believe it is true.
Whether you believe in Warren's model or not this is what he is pointing toward: that people need to know that everything they are doing in church is ministry and about God's work. Read the article and you'll see how Warren solves the issue.
Meanwhile I'm going to bring in some wood, another snow storm is on and the likelihood of losing power on the horizon.
A Swedenborgian Weblog from the Chair of the Council of Ministers
Rev. Andy Stinson
About Me
- Rev. Andy
- Chair of the Swedenborgian Council of ministers
Revelation 19
I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and He that sat upon him was called faithful and true, and in justice He doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire; and upon His head were many diadems; and He hath a name written that no one knew but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and His name is called the Word of God. And the armies which were in the heavens followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen white and clean.
2 comments:
Thanks Andy. I was just having lunch with one of my deacons this afternoon and we were talking about how to make the transition from a family church to a program based church. I'm taking the Warren article to our meeting tonight and I'll let you know what happens. Viva your blog!
Hi Andy! Well, I finally got around to responding. My primary comment is that I do hope that we will focus on identifying what the Lord wants this church to be. After all, it is not ours.
I really appreciated that Eric asked us to pray for the church. I wonder what would happen if we prayed for knowledge and insights into what the Lord wants us to become.
What would happen if we spent an hour or so doing this together at our COM meetings?
Thanks for "listening."
Ron
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