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Following Jesus (7/19/2008)Willow Creek! For some a ministry to diss. For others a source of great blessing. I think that many of us have learned how to do our own sort on stuff. We eat the fruit and spit out the seeds. In a book entitled, 'Reveal: Where are you?' , Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson detail some learnings that Willow Creek Church discovered last year about their effectiveness in 'taking irreligious people' and 'turning them into fully devoted followers of Jesus.' The book is short but has valid insights. The essence of what they discovered was that as a congregation they were pretty effective with pre-Christians and new Christians and not so effective in helping others who were further along. Their conclusion was that they were not making disciples who were 'self-feeders.' They also identified that they were taking a 'church program' approach to the task. Their course correction? Willow Creek will prepare individualized personal discipleship plans. But the answer that they have arrived at looks to me like more of the same. It still looks to me like a solution that looks like more of the problem. Now don't get me wrong. I believe that there is real disciple making that goes on in Willow Creek. Willow Creek's conversion growth rate is commendable in a North American context, 10% or better, based on some earlier numbers. But the solution to the 'brutal truth about spiritual growth' cannot be another program. It may involve other programming but there is a subtle thing that can happen to torpedo the very thing we want to accomplish. Hold that thought. Is it possible for 'the church' to co-opt and disempower 'the home'? At Regional Gathering, Mark Holmen presented his 'Faith at Home' message. While Mark clearly warns against 'throwing the baby out with the bath water' he is crystal clear in setting out responsibility. He quotes Larry Fowler: 'Who is responsible to train the children? The Bible is clear. Parents. Not the children's workers in the church. Parents. Not children's organizations or children's publishers. Parents. Not Christian schools. Parents.' Most of us agree that the church is not responsible to train children. Parents are. The 'church' -- the 'community' of faith -- has a significant role to play but it is important that the church does not disempower parents in their incredibly important role. Holmen talks about the 'drop off' mentality that we have adopted to raising our kids -- drop them off at school, drop them off at church, drop them off at hockey practice, etc. We are also all aware of the reality of the issue of disempowerment for parents in the education of their children. We have a great deal of evidence of the fracture that exists between home and school in our nation. In the same way, it is possible for the church to disempower and disenfranchise me as a follower of Jesus. Who is responsible to follow Jesus? Me! Who is responsible to grow to be like Him? Me! Who is responsible to invite and help others to join in following Him? Me! Who is responsible to love God and love others? Me! Not 'the church'. This is the reason that I dislike the statement that the church's business is to 'make disciples.' No, the fruit of a disciple is another disciple. The fruit of a church is another church. This requires a shift in thinking from a 'growth' mentality to a 'reproduction' mentality. When the focus is on 'growth' there is characteristically a lack of reproduction. When the focus is on reproduction there is an attendant growth -- especially when there is a clear articulation of expectations. The most empowering thing that we can do is to make it clear what it is to be a disciple of Jesus, and then to shape what we do corporately to support a follower of Jesus to be effective 'where I live'. Here is where there is convergence with Mark Holmen's thrust of 'faith at home.' Home is where I live. When we construct a program, will we judge the success by the number of people who attend it or by the effects - that is, in making 'me' effective 'where I live.' Are we really clear on what it is to be a follower of Jesus?
If we want people to be 'self-feeders' it begins with clarity about whose responsibility it is, and clarity about the path. Can we do things corporately that will enhance and support this view of following Jesus? Yes. But the answer is not a program. The value and importance of community is immense and biblical, but let's be careful that 'program' does not become a substitute for community and that community does not co-opt the place of mission. I have begun to follow Jesus... Have a great summer! Pastor Phil |
There are many good statements. I have worked with staff on a statement that has certain features. Each statement of what it means to follow Jesus begins with 'I' rather 'you.' We have done our best to avoid abstract propositions. Rather it is couched in the language of journey. For example, the verb form is present progressive: 'I am learn-ing...' This indicates that we are all on the journey, that none of us has arrived. Humility for the mature and encouragement for the less steady. The statements are intended to be accessible to the new believer, the young believer and to still give clarity to the follower well along on the journey. Here is the latest attempt at saying it well:| Site Map | Privacy Policy | Home | Contact |