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I have been to eight different [churches] in the past three months and I can unequivocally state that the thing that sets some apart is the [volunteer] team that is in place. (side note: don’t like the word “volunteer” in the church context).  The teaching, worship and other pastors are important but what really takes a place over the top is the way the people in the hallways, check-in counters and coffee table “get it.” When people representing a church understand why they are doing what they are doing, something special happens.

This challenges me tremendously as an aspiring church planter. It reminds me of  … CONTINUE READING.

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So, before yesterday’s post settles too deep, I thought I should follow that idea up with this one:

…when the church becomes about you (or me, since i’m writing), it is not the church anymore…

This one can be a little confusing, because there will be times when the church, to be the church, must go above and beyond to serve you and give to you and to make you the priority… in times of need, mourning, hurting. But, if we begin to see this as the church’s obligation: they are here to meet my needs (read: selfish needs) then, well, you’ve just begun to see the church’s role through “greed-colored” glasses.  Going back to Erwin McManus from yesterday, he wrote a great book on character development: Uprising: a revolution of the soul. He takes the reader on three journeys (he calls them “quests”) of character development, one being a quest for nobility or generosity. Erwin writes: “Greed is narcissistic. Generosity is Christ-like. Greed is the product of self-love. Generosity is the product of selfless love.”

When the church becomes about what it can or cannot do for you, you’re on the wrong quest.  Now, looking for a place to worship that we fit into and a place where the vision and direction connects with us is not greedy. But taking, taking and taking from a [church] and then complaining when it doesn’t meet our needs is greedy and narcissistic.  Period.

A few years ago, a little nugget of a thought dropped into my mind…I like to think that God breathed it into me. I was in a meeting about how pastors and [church] leaders can help others become more like Christ. (simple task, right?) Anyway, I thought of where we traditionally go to get training…and the university came to mind: k.s.U. (Kansas State); a.s.U. (Arizona State) and others.  Then the thought came to me that if we want to become more like Christ then our lives have to become less about us. So, God’s university might be referred to as “Not.U.” because to live God’s life it cannot be about “u” but about loving, serving and leading others in a Christ-like way.  Want to live like Christ? Attend “Not.U.”  What to live a life worth living? Go to “Not.U.” It is my prayer that “not.U.” will be a vital part of day|xii’s  ministry.

What’s the church all about?

Not.U.

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Yesterday I promised a critique on the statement I’ve heard quite a bit during church services or at Christian conferences. The statement goes something like this: “We are the church and we are not here for us…we are here for the world!” (insert roaring applause by congregation or crowd here).  Two people I consider friends and mentors, Erwin McManus and Craig Groeschelboth have said this a lot and when it comes to insight into the world of ministry leadership today, these are two of the best.  Now, before I go on..I DO AGREE with this statement and I do think it is a valid and Biblically-based assessment of the church’s purpose.  And, I know it is screamed from the stage because for too long followers of Christ have been way too “inward.”  But, I do think that this statement sends an unintended, limited view of the church’s purpose and might even negatively impact the church’s evangelistic potential. 

Just as that statement is correct so is this one: the church is here for the Christ-follower.  (side note:  before you paint me as the “discipleship” guy and someone else as an “evangelism” guy, I challenge you to think of discipleship and evangelism as two-sides of the same coin. After all, Jesus said, “GO and MAKE DISCIPLES.”  That is one commandment with two parts…without one it isn’t complete.) The picture of the early church is one that we should learn from. For instance, how did the early church grow? Holy Spirit’s movement? Yep. Isn’t it funny sad that we too often go past that. Preaching? Yep. Crazy love early believers showed each other? Absolutely. The book of Acts is full of stories of followers’ great sacrifice and love for each other, which compelled “outsiders” to take note and ultimate come to faith in Christ. Remember what Jesus said when He described the church? “….people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35.

So, here’s my point…the church is here for those not following Christ and for those who are. It isn’t one or the other. How about this as an outreach: we all quit fighting with each other and sacrifically love our brothers and sisters. That might just make the outsider want to be a part.  That might be the most evangelistic (and most challenging!) thing that we could do. Being different than the world..in it, but not of it, laying down our needs for the needs of others…wow, that sounds  like it might work. I know that too often I just haven’t loved my fellow followers of Christ. That breaks God’s heart and limits the church’s effectiveness.

We are the church and we are here for … everyone.