We did our dollar drop yesterday and it was awesome, more later...but first...
"I think the problem I have with modern programs is that they place importance on the wrong things - sure, a church "leader" will say "the bible is important" but then he (or she) will turn to a canned program and say, "this will help our church grow" - never once coming to the realization that what is needed is a
deeper walk with Christ (emp. mine), in his word and in his way. Programs make church life easier. It places less responsibility on the Pastor, and more on the program. If the church does not grow after "40 days of purpose” it's the programs fault. The purpose driven may be calling for us to have a deeper walk; the call is not loud enough, long enough and with enough conviction to let an emerging conversation believe it. What happens is that most modern churches do the program and then wait for the next program to make their next move. I think the modern church likes programs because they have something to blame, or someone to blame, for the failures of the church."
I found this today and it is something that I have been thinking about too lately. I have really been struggling with "church programs" lately. The more that time passes and I begin to see how far (in my opinion) we are away from being what I think God has called us to be, the sadder I become. I pray that God will give us the strength and the widsom to move in a direction not so program oriented but more people focused.
JD said...
Programs fix things so that we do not have to relate to people. Do the task. Read the chapter. Fill out the journal. Ok, what's next.
Relationships require putting the tasks, chapters, and journals aside and investing ourselves in other people. Who has time for that?
I've spent years thinking that if we had good events, exciting worship, contemporary songs, all the good stuff that people would come. I'm more convinced than ever that events are impotent to interest people in Christ. If anything they work against us because trust in them.
I think a good question is: Did you speak to a person today ... face to face... (not blog to blog, email to email, cell phone to cell phone)... and say something to shed some light on their calling to follow Christ. Other than that, most everything else is hoo-hah.
Sorry to be so long.
Grant said...
Nice start on your journey of rethinking ministry...
I think the reason modern churches like the programs are multiple than just the blame game...although I'm pretty sure that is on the list.
I think JD nailed one - time issue. One is a measurement issue. Easier to measuer success programatically.
There is also a fear issue. As leaders we give away control and ownership of the agenda when we move to a relational model as opposed to a program model.
Nice read, will come back to your blog.
Neal said...
I agree totally...somehow we think that choosing the right combination of programs will lead us to grow. If we the programs right (40 days + LTC + Crown Financial - prayer session) and God will bless us? Shouldn't we be choosing Christ?
But if you choose to go "No Program" - watch out...people won't like it. Programs make people feel holy because they are busy and their lives are full of "holy" things, regardless if those things are the best possible things, or if they are being led closer to Christ.
I took over a previously poorly done,yet program-driven ministry and threw out the programs for times of prayer, contemplation and service. It's amazing how much time I've had to spend defending that. Our attendance even dropped, since we weren't "offering anything". Sorry...I was trying to offer Jesus.
