I just deleted about 200 words that were unnecessarily complicated. Lots of stuff about church. So let me just share what we want spiritual formation to look like in the near future at Living Hope.
We want people to:
Know God (primary corporate venue: Sunday morning service)
Love others (requires building relationships, hence: upcoming introduction of small groups)
Make a difference (means contributing to the kingdom: getting involved in a ministry)
It’s not meant to be an overlay of a new framework on an old way of doing things, but a new guiding principle that determines what we do and don’t do.
So that’s that for that.
3 responses so far ↓
Christian // March 17, 2008 at 7:02 pm |
What’s getting involved in ministry mean? Getting involved in religious (church) activities? Or can ministry be described as disciple’s life as a neighbor, friend, co-worker and citizen?
Jared // March 17, 2008 at 8:26 pm |
Actually, a key point of pursuing this idea is that we eliminate as much ‘religious activity’ as possible. The last thing I want to do is recruit more people to be part of more committees or any such nonsense.
I am keenly aware, even as a pastor, that most of my opportunities to minister happen outside of a church setting. I teach this whenever I get a chance.
There are, however, also going to be worthwhile opportunities to minister in or through our church that I would be wrong not to offer people. I don’t use the term ‘make a difference’ lightly, and there are and will be opportunities through the church to make a difference in the lives of people in and out of the church through demonstrating love, building relationships, and helping others learn. Giving people a chance to get plugged into these opportunities is a responsibility.
Scott Childress // March 18, 2008 at 12:42 pm |
i like this…
i wonder if we might shift church folks into seeing the building, programs, and even pastors and elders as FACILITATORS rather than providers of goods and services?
if we stop looking at faith communities in the same way as we look at the places we shop – we may realize that WE are the church.
to push that analogy a bit further:
jim likes to shop at the local big-box for his groceries, while bob prefers the small mom and pop on the corner.
jim likes that the big box has a variety of choices, ample parking, and low low prices.
bob enjoys personal attention of the mom and pop and loves the warm feeling of a place thats been around since he was a boy.
both of these attitudes may be fine when we are talking about where to shop – but they are deadly if we apply them to spiritual formation.
Know God – are we facilitating an opportunity to learn about Scripture and an atmosphere that encourages true worship?
Love others – do i love these people? would i choose to spend time with them outside of a gathering? do i REALLY pray for them?
Make a difference? do we really see the clergy as having a higher calling to “ministry” than the laity?
just some ideas….