Churches Have Self-Esteem, Too

Churches Have Self-Esteem, Too

In a bigger-is-better world, it is understandable how quickly we in a small church can feel down on ourselves. If we play the comparison game, we will always come out behind since small churches often lack the resources (finances, facilities, personnel) and prestige that are so highly valued by some. Comparing ourselves to larger churches, we feel inadequate, insignificant or irrelevant.

Inadequate. Insignificant. Irrelevant. If small churches judge themselves by the standards of resources and prestige, then no wonder they come away from the comparison game with hurt feelings and wounded pride. If judged by those standards, then they are inadequate, insignificant and irrelevant. Its quite easy to be cynical or resentful toward large churches.

This is why we must know and understand the story of Scripture. For the Story of Scripture places value upon people because they are created in the image of God and they are loved by Christ to the extent that he died for all. The Story of Scripture places value upon the church, in whatever manifestation, regardless of size, because the church is the beloved people of God, bride of Christ and the temple of God’s Holy Spirit.

Indeed, the Story reorients the church to her creator and redeemer, and therefore to her identity. From the historic work of God, the redeeming work of Christ, and the ongoing work of the Spirit ought to come our feeling of self-worth, value, degree of usefulness and mission. Rather than compare ourselves to large churches with attitudes of disdain for them or woe for us, let us celebrate the work of God in large churches and reconsider how we, as a small congregation, can be a more faithful church.

Judged by the standards of the world, the small church is quaint if not silly. Judged by the grand Story of God, the small church is beloved, indwelt and powerful in mission. The task of church growth for the small church is a reorientation to who we really are and who God intends for us to be.

Another Angle on Church Growth

Another Angle on Church Growth

As we bring our brief study on the theology of the church to a close, and as we move into a discussion of tools and strategies for growth in the smaller church, I think it appropriate to call to our attention a cluster of passages.

In Acts read carefully 6:7, 9:31 and 16:5. In the epistles read 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Ephesians 2:19-22 and 4:7-16, Colossians 1:9-14 and 2:16-19, 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 2:1-3 and 2 Peter 3:14-18.

What you will see is that there is clearly more to "church growth" than "more people." When we hear the phrase church growth we automatically think of plans, programs and strategies to reach more people and integrate them into the family of God. A measure of this is true, and right, and good.

Yet if you carefully read each of the passages above, you will see that God intends for his church to grow in ways beyond larger numbers. God desires for his church to grow broader and deeper. God intends for his church to grow in faith and love, in holiness and devotion to Christ, in good deeds and steadfast hope.

My suspicion is that if we were to devote ourselves to growing deep, God will provide clear vision for how we may grow wide. The deeper we sink our roots into the nourishing grace of God, the more we will be at his disposal. The first task of church growth is for the church to relinquish willful self-reliance and, in faith, devote herself to God. After all, it is God who gives growth.

A People of the Story

A People of the Story

The Biblical story reveals a loving and relational God who has initiated the redemption of his beloved creation. Not that we first loved him, but he first loved us. Scripture utilizes several metaphors to describe God’s loving activity in time and history and to describe his beloved people. His move to initiate covenant with Abraham is a redemptive move with an eye towards forming a people. This family-turned-nation, according to the Biblical witness, is to be a people of God’s own choosing who live in the midst of the nations as a light to the nations. When Paul speaks of Christ’s church with this language, he likely has this image in mind.

In relational terms, the church is spoken of as the body of Christ. With diverse members and gifts, the church’s task is to come together, because we are one body, and function in unity for the glory of God. The church is also the family, or household, of God. God’s work of reconciliation is acutely, and wonderfully, seen in this household of faith. The church is the one place where race, class, and gender-based hostilities and divisions are set aside. In Christ, God has created one new humanity. Our task is to live out that oneness. God is active and present in his church, it is referred to as the temple of the Spirit. The imagery draws from the well of the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple; the Holy Spirit dwells in the church, giving life to church. Therefore we are to guard this gift and not quench the Spirit.

God is at work: in tremendous love he is reconciling the world to himself. And to his church he has entrusted the ministry of reconciliation. He has commissioned us with our task. He has gifted and equipped us for our task. He is present among us as we follow him and join him in his grand work. Finally, one day he will bring to completion what he has begun in us. By faith, and in great hope and confidence, we live by the grand story of God’s love and mercy. Returning again and again to the Biblical story of God clarifies for us our identity, our nature, and our mission as God’s church. Returning again and again to it is crucial if we are to live by it.

We conclude our brief study of the nature of the church – what is the church and what is the church to be and do – this Sunday. We will read together several more Scriptures so that our thinking about the church will be clearer and our vision sharper. From there, Lord willing, we will spend two weeks discussing tools and strategies for church growth that take seriously both the nature of the church as well as the dynamics of the small church. Join us!

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Another installment.

The Church: God’s People, Christ’s Body, the Spirit’s Community

The Church: God’s People, Christ’s Body, the Spirit’s Community

The whole of Scripture unfolds the dramatic and redemptive work of God. Having created humanity in his image, God pursues relationship with us. Having sinned, and refusing his overtures of love, we flee from. Yet he pursues us.

The Biblical witness tells the story this way: Creator God enters into a covenant with one man, Abram, in order to prosper and grow him into a family, then a nation. Abram is a special man, a beloved man, a blessed man. He is blessed and through him all will be blessed. This nation, Israel, is a blessed and cherished nation, and a light to all nations. They are his people, indwelt by God’s divine presence, and intended to embody God’s holiness and righteousness. Yet Israel is rebellious and hard-hearted. But God pursues them. In Jesus of Nazareth, God becomes human and in a completely new way lives and dwells among us. Jesus of Nazareth: the embodiment of God in holiness, love, grace and truth! Crucified by sinful men, and three days buried, Jesus rises from the tomb bringing forgiveness and resurrection life to hopeless humanity. The body of Christ is alive, and he gives life to his Body, the church.

God’s Holy Spirit indwells his people, the disciples of the Christ, as they seek to follow in the way of Jesus. The church, the presence of God and the body of Christ, is blessed and beloved and gifted for service and ministry. God is indeed active in pursuing hostile humanity. He loves us and his work of redemption and reconciliation yet continues; the church partners with God in his redemptive work. The redemptive story God initiated in the past continues in our present and, by God’s grace, we are hopeful for the future. The Grand Story is by no means finished, the work continues!

Sunday morning, February 4, we continue our study of the nature of God’s church. Our task is to equip ourselves with sound teaching about the church, so that we can be the most faithful and effective church we can be. Join us for the study; join us on the journey.

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This was the first in a short series of bulletin articles I wrote for Central Church, inconjunction with a study I am leading on church growth for smaller churches.

I am working in large part from the excellent material by David Ray, especially his Indispensable Guide for Smaller Churches.

http://www.amazon.com/Indispensable-Guide-Smaller-Churches/dp/0829815074/sr=8-1/qid=1171639477/ref=sr_1_1/105-4724312-4300417?ie=UTF8&s=books

The folks you preach to...

Here's a gem I ran across this morning:

On a church bulletin, for Palm Sunday 1943, written in bold strokes are these words: "I was so disappointed, for I wanted to hear a good Palm Sunday sermon. He is too inclined to be "cute" and funny."

And again next to the title of the sermon (which was" God at Your Door") this person writes, "terrible sermon."

And now we have it in our archives where it will testify throughout the ages that this particular sermon, at least to one auditor, was a real flop.

Ha ha. Its a humorous find alright, but it also is quite telling. This person, man or woman I cannot fully tell from the handwriting, came to church wanting a good sermon yet was served up a helping of "cute and funny."

I know that you can't please all the people all the time...yada, yada, yada. Still, its a shame when folks come to church asking for bread and get a stone in return.

I'll have my laughs at this little bulletin (the author of which I'm sure never intended his/her comments to be preserved), but I'll also take it seriously when I prepare to preach. For no criticism of preaching (or class, or small group meeting) is so stinging as "it was a waste of my time."

Grace and peace.