Paradigms: How Do We Really Define The Church?

So, in this next segment in a series, let me ask you this question.  Click HERE to go to part 1.

What is the Church?

Stop reading and write it down.

Seriously…how would you define the church?

If you’re anything like me you’re quick to say that the “Church” is not a building.  “Church” in your terms is made up of the people you meet with on Sunday.  If you’re theologically savvy you might  say that the “Church” is the collection of all the believers past, present, and future.  You may go way beyond that!

That being said, I’ve just got to be direct here.

I don’t believe you!

I don’t beleive you believe any of those things we wrote down above.   And, I don’t believe I really get it. I’ve been so conditioned that I catch myself falling back into this all the time…and it drives me crazy!  My paradigm, the belief deep down that actually drives my decisions, does not match the statements above.

Here’s why I don’t believe you.

Our actions don’t match your words.

The decision we make and the organizations we lead don’t reflect that belief.

Let me illustrate. I’ve been in many hospitals visiting with friends. After seeing friends come in and out of a person’s room all day inevitably someone asks this question.

“Has anybody from the Church stopped by?”

What do they mean?

They mean…

“Has anyone from the Church staff come by to make sure things are OK?”

And I buy in every time!  I feel like I need to defend the church if the answer is “no”…and I get a bit proud if the answer is “yes…of course!”

The paradigm then (My paradigm!) is that the “church” is the group of believers who are paid to be Christians.

BUT!…In reality, the church has been walking in and out of the hospital room all day!

Here’s some tough truth.  Our resistance to the idea that the church had visited that sick person, whether it be because we’re scared to push it or just dumb, is hampering our progress.

Let me be Clear.  This isn’t just about sick people. This is about our inability to let go of our ministries and let others own it so we can focus on what it is only we can do.  Are you playing politics or are you leading?

How much time have you spent doing things someone else can do, or things that someone else might even be better than you at doing, because your out there being “The Face of The Church”?  How many meetings, hospital visits, counseling sessions, and school basketball games have you been at because you are the representative from “The Church” and people wouldn’t be happy if you weren’t?

I’m not saying caring for people is not important..but…Can you imagine if the Apostles would have tried to make every meeting, hospital visit, wedding, and funeral in those early years?  Where would we be?

As leaders of the next generation of churches we need to decide to be comfortable sending the actual church to do the things they’re gifted and called to do…paid or not!…so we can focus on the things we were gifted and called to do.

Get out your Post-It from the last post and write…”Let my Church BE The Church.”  See if that changes any decisions you make.