Mark Conner's Space

re-Imagining Church (Pt.1)

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus boldly declared that he would build his ‘church’ (Matthew 16:17-19). The church was his idea and there is nothing else that he said he would build. It is his master project and all of his energies are focused on completing it. It is part of his eternal purposes (Ephesians 3:10-11). But what is the ‘church’ and what did Jesus really have in mind? There are many different opinions about what the church is meant to be.

Today when people use the word ‘church’ they are most often referring to a place of Christian worship or to the institutional aspect of the Christian community. We say things like, “Let’s go to church” or “Look at that nice old church” OR newspaper articles might refer to “The Anglican Church” or “The Catholic Church”, in which they are talking more about an organization than anything else. As a result, most people today think that a church is a building on the corner with a cross or a steeple, or an institution that you belong to. These meanings have strayed a long way from Jesus had in mind.

When Jesus chose the Greek word ecclesia (which we translate into the English word ‘church’) to describe what he was going to build, he was taking a pre-existing term and investing it with new meaning. It literally means “the gathering of called-out ones”. It was used to refer to a gathering of people who would meet regularly to discuss and deliberate over a variety of social and even political dilemmas facing a community. Today this would be similar to a meeting in a local town hall of a group of community leaders and members. It was a gathering of people, brought together by their common vision for the harmony and well-being of the wider community. Jesus is saying that he is going to build his own community, yet it will be a community of people who have a mission and a purpose to carry out in the wider world.

Let’s re-imagine the church by going right back to the beginning – to our origins. The book of Acts tells the story of the beginning and expansion of the church of Jesus Christ. As we read it, we start to get a clearer picture of exactly what Jesus had in mind. I see the church as ...

 

A community of Christ-followers empowered by the Spirit to participate in God’s mission in the world.

 

This describes what the church is and what it exists for.

 

If you were take a tour around the world today and visit a variety of churches, you would experience amazing diversity - quiet and loud, informal and formal, traditional and contemporary, small and large in size, and meeting in all kinds of different buildings (traditional, homes, cafes, auditoriums, stadiums, even pubs).

So what is the right expression of church and are ALL of these, or ANY of these, what Jesus really had in mind? Of course, no church is perfect today, just as there wer no perfect churches in the first century (churches in the first century faced many challenges including false doctrine, immorality, disunity, and false teachers). However, I believe that if any of these so-called churches today are “a community of Christ-followers who are being empowered by the Spirit to participate in God’s mission in the world” then they truly are an expression of the church of Jesus Christ, as imperfect as it may be.

Let's celebrate the diversity! After all, it takes all sorts of different churches to reach all sorts of different people. The form that the church takes will be different in different cultures and contexts but these ingredients are the essential ones.

We'll unpack this definition further over the next few days …

An Unstoppable Force

Another excellent book on the church is An Unstoppable Force: Daring to Become the Church God Had in Mind by Erwin McManus. Erwin is the Lead Pastor of Mosaic in Los Angeles. He one of the most creative and innovative thinkers and church leaders I have ever met.

Erwin shows us that God desires the church to be an unstoppable movement of people, not an institution or organisation. He calls us back to our origins.

"Origins finds the future in the beginning. To explore we must first excavate. To discover we must first recover. To re-frame we must first reflect. To imagine we must first examine. To move forward we must first step back. We need the compass of an ancient text. The maps will guide us to reflect a noble past but willing to decode the present context."

The church is to be active and engaged with its community. The church is a body not a business, a living organism not an organisation, a family not a machine or a company, a movement not an institution. It's time for that movement to begin again - "... defying tradition ... strangely sacred yet sacrilegious ... revolutionary ... against all odds ... unstoppable."

Inspiring and thought-provoking stuff!

Essential Church

The book Essential Church, by Thom S. Rainer and his son, presents recent research that indicates that more than two-thirds of church-going young adults drop out between the ages of 18 and 22. The research was done by Lifeway Christian Resources.

 

Here are the top 10 reasons:

1. Simply wanted a break from church.
2. Church members seemed judgmental and hypocritical.
3. Moved to college or university and stopped attending church.
4. Work responsibilities prevented me from attending.
5. Moved to far from the church to continue attending.
6. Became too busy though still wanted to attend.
7. Didn't feel connected to the people in my church.
8. Disagreed with the church's stance on political or social issues.
9. Chose to spend more time with friends outside the church.
10. Was only going to church to please others.

As a result, they no longer saw church as "essential" to their life.

One-third of young adults do stay in the church. Why? Because they see their church as essential to their lives. According to Rainer's research an essential church has four major components:

1. They have learned to simplify. They have a clear purpose and a clear process for making disciples. They get their structure right.
2. They move church members to deepen their knowledge of God and his truth. They get the content right.
3. They have high expectations of church members. This results in high commitment. They get their attitude right.
4. They are committed to helping their members multiply spiritually. Evangelism, mission, and ministry are part of the heart-beat of the church. They get the action right.

Is your church an essential church? If so, be thankful. If not, what steps could you take to help change it?

The Purpose-Driven Church

Rick Warren's best-selling book The Purpose Driven Church has become a bit of a classic since its release in 1995. Rick is the pastor of Saddleback Church in California and the founder of pastors.com, an excellent web site resource for church leaders.

Each church is driven by something - tradition, personality, or programs. Rick proposes that churches should be driven by the purposes of God. Based on his study of the Bible, he proposes five core purposes of every church:

1. Worship - "Love the Lord with all your heart"
2. Ministry - "Love your neighbour as yourself"
3. Evangelism - "Go and make disciples"
4. Fellowship - "Baptising them"
5. Discipleship - "Teaching them to obey"

A healthy church has a balance of these five purposes. All of them are pursued with passion. None of them are to be neglected. Churches need to do everything 'on purpose'.

Rick goes on to show how Jesus attracted crowds of people from the local community. Yet he never said, "I will build by crowd." He loved the crowds but he also called them to greater commitment. Those who responded became his disciples and part of his core team. He trained them to go and reach even greater crowds of people with the message of the kingdom. The church today is called to do the same.  

This book is essential reading for any church leader or person passionate about seeing the church become all it can in our generation.

The Forgotten Ways

The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch is a book about 'reactivating the missional church'. Alan calls us back to the beginning - to what he calls 'apostolic DNA'. This apostolic genius has six ingredients: Jesus as Lord, disciple-making, missional-incarnational impulse, apostolic environment, organic systems, and communitas.

Alan critiques contemporary church growth models, making a call for a movement away from what he calls the 'attractional' model approach. This has generated quite a bit of discussion and debate. Click here to read an article in Christianity Today by Dan Kimball (read the comments section too), as well as a response from Alan.

For me, I see the spreading of the gospel taking place through two approaches: 'go and tell' (Matt.28:18-20) and 'come and see' (John 1:40-42; 4:29-41). I think it is 'both/and' not 'either/or.' Of course, the 'come and see' approach only works if people are doing the 'go and tell' step first. We need to begin thinking and acting more like missionaries, even in our Western world context.

Alan is an insightful analyst of church and culture. This book is not a light read but it is an excellent discussion starter for where the church is now and where it should be going. Click here to visit Alan's blog. 

Dealing with Grief

Anytime we lose something or someone special to us we experience grief. Grief is our natural emotional response to loss of any kind. Many people are facing this right now through the tragedy of the bush fires here in Victoria - the loss of friends, family members, and loved ones, as well as the loss of homes and possessions.

There are many stages of grief that most people go through. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, in her 1969 book "On Death and Dying", describes five discrete stages that most people go through when dealing with grief or tragedy. They are known as the five stages of grief. 

1. Denial - "I feel fine ... This can't be happening to me!"
2. Anger - "Why me? It's not fair ... How can this happen!"
3. Bargaining - trying to change what has happened in some way.
4. Depression - "I feel so sad, why bother ... I feel like I'm going to die ... What's the point?"
5. Acceptance - "It's going to be okay ... I'm going to make it ..."

These stages apply to the death of a loved one, but also to other losses such as a loss of employment, income, home, or a relationship (such as a marriage ending in divorce). These stages don't necessarily come in order nor are all stages experienced by everyone.

Thankfully, we serve a God who is familiar with grief (Isaiah 53:3), who identifies with us in our pain, and who offers us comfort and strength to make it through (see 1 Corinthians 1:1-7). In addition, the comfort of family and friends is also essential. Let people talk, let them grieve, and help in practical ways.

P.S. Click here for a few of my own thoughts as I had to deal with the grief of losing my mother a number of years back.

"Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted" [Jesus - Matthew 5:4]

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us." [The Apostle Paul - 2 Corinthians 1:1-7. NLT]

Helping Children Process Tragedy

As we continue to sort through all of the various emotions and heartache of the bush fires here in Victoria, lots of questions are raised and all sorts of discussions result. The age-old question of "Why?" emerges once again, a question that people have grappled with for centuries on end. Even as adults, we often find it difficult to understand what has happened and why. Where is God in all of this?

These questions can be especially difficult for children.

Here are a few resources for helping children during this time, referred to me by the Chaplain of Waverley Christian College, Peter Nash. Firstly, there are some thoughts from Michael Grose, a leading child educator in Australia. Secondly, is a document with an extensive list of a variety of resources available.

You also might be interested in a few comments I made just after the Asian tsunami.

Ask God to give you wisdom as you talk with children and young people at this time, as well as to all of those grappling with these current issues.

Are the Bush Fires the Judgment of God (Pt.2)?

First of all, thank you to everyone – for the dialogue, debate, encouragement, and critique. I think it is healthy. 

I also would like to make a few additional comments: 

1. Emotion. I am concerned about a ‘culture of niceness’ that some people seem to think should characterise all Christians. Yes, we are to treat one another with respect and love, but issues and truth need to be contended for. The ’emotion’ many of us feel is about the seriousness of the implications of what has been said and done in this situation. Emotion is not wrong. In fact, God has emotion and is very passionate about lots of things. Jesus himself became very angry when he saw the temple area being used for purposes other than for worship for God. Let’s not shy away from confronting the issues and debating about them. That is healthy and in the process we all can learn and grow.

2. Judgment. I too believe in the judgment(s). All individuals reap consequences for their actions, as do nations. There may be delay, but ultimately everyone reaps what they sow, apart from the mercy of God. The key issue in this situation is the direct link that has been made between abortion laws recently passed in our State and the bush fire tragedies. As Christians, we would like to see no, or at least fewer, abortions in our State. Many of us worked and prayed hard for this to become a reality, but it wasn’t to be – at this time. IF God chose to judge people for this, you think he’d track down the politicians who made those decisions (I think he knows where they live), not punish a whole different group of people through bushfires. The connection is inappropriate ... and it does not serve the cause of Christ in any way whatsoever. Try heading up to one of the destroyed communities right now and say to the local people, "Sorry about this but God is simply judging you for some wrong decisions that others have made." See if God works through that!? ... Yes, the entire world is currently under condemnation because of disobedience to God BUT Jesus did not come to condemn the world but rather to bring salvation (see John 3:16-17). Let’s not forget that “God so loved the world ...”! 

3. Prophets. As a number of people have pointed out, we no longer live in the theocratic nation of Old Testament Israel, where prophets challenge kings about keeping God’s covenant. We are in a new dispensation and this requires new paradigms and behaviour. We are very much in a missional and sometimes even antagonist environment much like the first century church. Our words and actions need to reflect this. Also, if you actually believe that God stills speaks today through prophecy (which I do), you will notice that all prophecy since the time of Christ exists primarily for the strengthening, encouragement, and comfort of other people (1 Corinthians 14:1-3) AND all prophecy needs to be tested and discerned as to whether it aligns with the infallible Scriptures (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22). That which is wrong or harmful is to be rejected and exposed as false.

4. Danny Nalliah. Danny has chosen to make statements in the public arena at a national level, presuming to speak for God and on behalf of the Christian church. [As far I am aware, he has no accountability and does not seek guidance or feedback from any other senior Christian leaders in the nation before taking such bold and unwise steps - something which he has a pattern of doing. But we won’t start talking about one of his other prophecies - that John Howard was going to win the last election] ... I, along with many other pastors and Christians leaders are appalled by his actions and comments. I have written to him directly, as have others, expressing concern. I have received no response to this date. I have also posted a comment on his blog but it was deleted (as are most other comments from people who are seen as expressing any form criticism). When you make statements in the public arena, you need to expect to be critiqued in the public arena. My desire is not to attack Danny personally but to address his view point, which, in my opinion, demonstrates poor theology, as well as a lack of wisdom and compassion. Unfortunately, it is hard to separate a person's actions/words from who they are ... By the way, when the apostle Peter was inappropriate in his relationships with Gentiles, Paul boldly confronted and rebuked him personally - then even wrote about it in a letter to the churches in Galatia ... If I felt that I had a message to deliver to the nation via the national media, I would not do so without first receiving some confirmation and feedback from some wiser and more experienced Christian leaders. I only wish Danny had done something such as that. Also, if I did do or say something unwise, then I hope that other leaders would challenge me about it. That’s how God’s kingdom works. Jesus told his followers to discern ministries and their fruit.

[Someone just brought to my attention that Danny Nalliah has defended his recent actions and comments via a recent post on his blog. Click here to read it]

Finally, and most importantly, let’s continue to focus our efforts as followers of Christ on reaching out to the needs of those affected by these tragic bush fires. We are to be His hands and feet, and especially at times such as these. Jesus said that the world would know that we are his followers by our love – by how we treat other people. This tragedy may be a significant opportunity in disguise - for the church to arise and make a more positive difference in our world. Let’s pray and believe that as we do so, many will turn to God and come to know his saving grace and love.

P.S. For those interested, click here to read an article on this topic from Christian Today, here for an article by Nils Von Kalm, here for an article by Barney Zwartz (religious editor for The Age newspaper), here for a statement from Brian Houston, here for a Uniting Church statement, and here for an article by the Rev. Tim Anderson in the Herald Sun. 

Responding to the Bush Fire Tragedy

Tragedies such as the current bush fires, often bring out the best and worst of humanity. To hear of people looting, vandalising, setting up fraudulent fund-raising schemes, and even committing arson, is so shocking and sad. In contrast, to see how most people rise to the challenge to support and help each other with genuine love, service, and goodwill is a tribute to humanity. After all, we were all made in the image of God our Creator, even if that image has been marred. 

Let's continue to do all we can to help those affected by the fires. I have spoken to a number of people this week who have lost their homes, as well as friends and loved ones in the fires. This is such a difficult time for them but as we come alongside them with encouragement and support, I believe that they can make it through. 

Let's keep praying, offering practical help where possible, and giving financially. Our church has already made a $10,000 donation to the bush fire appeal and we will take up special offerings in all of our church gatherings this coming weekend, as well as encourage people to continue to give via the various bush fire appeals taking place. 

Our community ministry is also providing accommodation, clothes, and food for bush fire victims. 

Finally, be sure to take some time to write or contact our fire-fighters, emergency service workers, as well as many of the other individuals and organisations involved in this crisis. We took a minute or so in one of our church gatherings last weekend to record a brief video message to the firefighters. 

Thanks everyone!

P.S. For information on how you can volunteer your services, click here or call the Information Victoria Bushfire Volunteer Hotline on 1300 366 356.

Are the Bush Fires the Judgment of God? (Pt.1)

Have you noticed that any time there is a tragedy or disaster in our world, some self-appointed prophet(s) starts to speak out and talk about the judgment of God? Someone suddenly remembers a vision or a dream they had. They start to cast stones and place all sorts of guilt on people.

[Danny Nahlia from 'Catch the Fire' Ministries is a classic example of this. Click here to read his public statement and here for a recent Sydney Morning Herald article where he is quoted. At times like this, Danny is an embarassment to the Christian church, as he does not speak on behalf of the majority of Christians and churches, let alone God]

I think we need to be very cautious in how we approach this. Who are we to say that these bush fires are the judgment of God? What about that person who died in a car accident last week, that person who died of sickness yesterday, or that couple who haven’t been able to have children? Are they too under the judgment of God because something bad has happened to them? Is any negative experience of human suffering an indication of the judgment of God? I think we are unwise to make such arrogant statements, as if we have God’s full perspective on life’s uncertainties. 

In Jesus’ time, there were a number of tragedies that took place (see Luke 13:1-5). Pilate killed a some Galileans and mixed their blood with sacrifices (“human evil”) and then a tower (the Tower of Siloam) collapsed and killed eighteen people (“natural evil”). Jesus addressed these two current issues but he didn’t explain ‘why’ they had happened. What he did say, however, was insightful. He said, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them-do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." 

Jesus makes it clear that when something bad happens it doesn’t mean that the person(s) affected by suffering are necessarily sinful or evil. Good and evil does not fall on people in some sort of vindictive manner. Jesus doesn’t say that these people are ‘under the judgment of God’ either. If he didn’t, why are we so quick to? 

Bush Fires

Our State of Victoria is caught up in the worst round of bush fires in our history. Over 200 people have died as a result of the fires and over 1850 homes have been destroyed. 

This is a tragic situation and it is so sad to think that a number of the fires may have been the work of arsonists. 

Scorching heat has not helped. Melbourne had a record high of 46.4 degrees Celsius - that's over 115 degrees Fahrenheit. 

What can we do?

1. Pray for those who have lost loved ones because of the fires. This is an incredible time of grief, sorrow, and even anger, for many people. It will not be easy for them to rebuild their lives after such horrendous loss. Pray for God's grace and comfort. Pray for the fire-fighters and emergency services as they continue to try to get multiple bush fires under control around the state. Pray for more rain and for favorable weather conditions.   

2. Where possible, offer emotional support and practical help to any families or neighbours directly affected by the fires.  

3. Consider making a financial donation. The federal government has set up a $10 million dollar bush fire relief fund but more will be needed. Donations to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund can be made at any NAB branch or via internet banking.  BSB: 082-001.  Account number: 860 046 797. Victoria Police have urged those wishing to donate not to tie up 000 and other emergency hot-lines and instead to call the Red Cross Information Line on 1800 727 077.  You can also donate online at www.redcross.org.au, by phoning 1800 811 700, or at any Bunnings store. 

4. Send a note of encouragement to the fire fighters by clicking here. 

5. Donate blood. Extra blood is especially important for burns victims who are receiving treatment in hospital. Appointments can be made by calling the Red Cross on 13 14 95.

For the latest online news updates, check out the Herald Sun and The Age. 

Concerned about loved ones? Call 1800 727 077. The bushfire hot-line number is: 1800 240 667.

Pagan Christianity?

Frank Viola and George Barna's book Pagan Christianity boldly declares that everything most churches are doing is wrong: meeting in church buildings, having an order of worship, sermons, pastors, Sunday morning dress, ministers of music, tithing and clergy salaries, the way baptism and the Lord’s Supper are conducted, as well as Christian education. These are not the way church was done in the first century. In fact, they believe that they have pagan origins.

The book is an interesting read and it raises lots of issues worth discussing. Of course, it assumes that the the expression of the church in the first century is exactly what is to be followed today. I'm not sure that is totally true. After all, Jesus and the first Christians didn't use mobile phones and email, so maybe we shouldn't either!?

I'm also not so sure that Jesus is that overly fussed about forms or expressions of the church as he is about the heart, spirit, and priority of his church. Where the church is truly a community of Christ-followers, empowered by the Spirit to participate in God's mission in the world, I think a variety of forms can emerge within different contexts and cultures. After all, it takes all sorts of different churches to reach the all sorts of different people in our world.

However, there is no doubt that it is good to review all of our current beliefs and practices in light of Jesus and the church he established, as recorded in the New Testament documents.

Here are a few interesting links to some responses to this book:

1. Some comments by a reputable Biblical scholar, Ben Witherington. See here and then here.
2. Discussions on this book on the Christianity Today web site. Part 2 continues here.
3. A review by a friend of mine, John Stanko.

You might also like to check out Frank and George's web site where they present more support for their claims.

What do you think?

ReJesus

I have just finished reading the book ReJesus: A Wild Messiah for a Missional Church by Alan Hirsch and Michael Frost. The authors put forth a challenge for a re-reinstatement of Jesus as the central focus of our spiritual lives - both as disciples and as communities of his people. It's time we let go of the domesticated Jesus that we often learned about in Sunday School and embrace the "loving, wildly passionate, dangerous, radically merciful, and always surprising" Jesus portrayed in the Gospels. An encounter with this Jesus transforms us from the inside out and radically changes our approach to mission.

Here are a few good quotes and thoughts from the book:

• Our Christology (what we think about Jesus) affects our Missiology and then eventually our Ecclesiology (how we think about and do church).
• Like a photocopy of a copy of a copy, our picture of Jesus can fade and even become distorted over time if we are not careful. It's time to get back to our origins - to the original, to re-Jesus both our personal lives and our churches.
• Like a computer that has crashed many times, It's time to reboot the system back to the defaults - to reJesus our lives and the church. We need to re-calibrate to Jesus.
• An authentic comprehension of Jesus is critical as we are to be like him - 'little Jesuses'.

This book is well worth reading.

P.S. You also might want to check out Alan Hirsch's web site, The Forgotten Ways. Alan is a good friend of mine. God is using him as a prophetic voice in our generation to challenge the Western church's paradigms about church, discipleship, and mission.

Re-Imagining Church

This coming weekend we begin a new series of messages at our church on the topic of Re-Imagining Church. I'm really looking forward to it.

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus said that he would build his church and the very gates of hell would not stop it (Matthew 16:16-18). I wonder if the church today represents what Jesus had in mind? Or is there something more?

We'll be reading through the book of Acts throughout February to help us on our journey. Going back to the beginning - our origins - is important because it is easy to drift or forget who we really are.

May the church in our time truly become the unstoppable force that Jesus intended it to be!

Potential

Potential – we all have it. It’s like a treasure chest waiting to be unpacked. It’s all about who we can become and what we can do to make the world a better place.

Most people don’t see their potential. They tend to see their faults and their limitations. Often it takes other people to see it and then to draw it out.

I’ll never forget a teacher who in my late teen years took me out to lunch. We chatted for a while and then he began to tell me what he and others saw in me. He told me that he believed I had a leadership gift and that God would use me to help other people. I had never seen that in myself before. I remember leaving that lunch feeling a lot taller than I already was. I was really encouraged about myself and my future.

As you mix with people today – don’t just see who they are now. See what they can become. Look beyond the surface and see their potential. Then speak into it. Believe in them, and help them to believe in themselves.

Potential – think about it.