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Two interrelated factors underlie the inadequate desire and motivation of congregational leaders to learn how to be more fruitful in their ever-changing ministry context: missional drift and the loss of transforming faith. It is for these reasons that Christ’s call for congregational transformation often seems to fall on deaf ears. It is for these reasons that congregational transformation is fundamentally a spiritual process that begins with repentance.
Like most human organizations, the older congregations become the more likely their original missional purposes fade. Christ’s historic mission for congregations is to make more and better disciples who have a growing Kingdom influence in their community. As this original mission fades, it is often replaced with “maintaining our beloved traditions” and eventually with “our congregation’s survival.” Buffeted by continuous cultural and community changes, many congregations “huddle and cuddle.” Decisions are made increasingly less upon what is missionally effective and increasingly more upon the personal preferences of members in the congregation.
Leaders can lose perspective on just how far their preoccupation with “the members’ comfort zones” and with the institutional survival of “their” congregation is from Christ’s Great Commission. Christ commissioned all his followers to become passionate worshipers who extend radical hospitality, intentionally become more like Him, step out into the world as salty servants and pour themselves out in extravagant generosity. Many leaders of declining congregations have never or only long ago been part of a congregation when they were both faithful and fruitful in carrying out Christ’s great commission. They may be wonderful people, highly committed to “their” congregation’s institutional survival, but they may also have little comprehension of or commitment to the historic mission of Christ’s Church in the world..
The book of Acts tells the story of how trust in and loyalty to the Risen Christ transforms the lives of His followers and turns the world upside down. Those who were intimidated and scared become in Christ bold and courageous witnesses. Those who were self-preoccupied become in Christ compassionate, selfless servants to those in need. Those who previously kept to “their own kind,” discover Christ’s love spilling out and drawing them into the lives of people with whom they would never before have associated. All this happens naturally from the inside out as the Holy Spirit transforms and empowers the lives of disciples.
In the opening chapters of the Book of Revelation, the Risen Christ addresses a prophetic word to seven of His congregations. Most are criticized for having lost sight of their identity and mission in Christ. He addresses the self-satisfied congregation of Laodicea: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev. 3:15-16) A few verses later the Risen Christ beckons: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Most stagnant congregations are not willing to do what it takes to open their door to Christ, but to those who will there is the hope of effective ministry to their community!
In “Thoughts on Methodism” (1786) John Wesley said “I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power.” In too many congregations, Wesley’s fear has come true.
Martha Grace Reese, in her ground breaking study on evangelism in mainline congregations (Unbinding the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism) makes the following statement: “The heart of evangelism is about being in love with God, being part of a church you love and caring about people who do not have a conscious connection with Christ. . . . The heart of evangelism is love – of God, of church, of others” (p. 9). She goes on to say, “People in evangelistic churches can tell you the difference being a Christian makes in their lives. They believe passionately that having a relationship with God and being part of their church community will help their friends and people they’ve never met. Many other mainline Christians, along with many mainline pastors, have a hard time articulating how being a Christian matters – for themselves or for anyone else.” (p. 9-10)
Lukewarm faith . . . “the form of religion without the power” . . . unable to articulate “how being a Christian matters – for themselves or for anyone else.” When these are characteristic of a congregation’s leaders, it is no more possible for them to be effective in ministry than it is for them to give away what they do not have. For those congregations that are “contentedly declining,” transformation begins with personal spiritual transformation in order to address this fundamental motivational, “why bother” factor. Until there is spiritual energy in the lives of congregational leaders and in the congregation as a whole, fruitful ministry cannot occur.
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