[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: theodulos@yahoo.com
Date: 8/16/01
Time: 3:16:46 PM
Remote Name: 208.145.16.195
While I would agree that the "Mega-Church" has lost much of it's luster, I remember church before "purpose-driven". Back then we just wanted the lost to come in and become like us; act like us, dress like us, adopt our values, etc. The "purpose-driven" model helped us realize that the culture of those outside the church is radically different from those inside the church. I think that much of the progress that the Church has made in the last 15 years has been because we were given permission to think outside the box.
The "Mega-Church" model can serve as a reminder of the vaule of mega-resources. Most of the programs that were created were worth doing, but it took a church with substantial resources to "trial-n-error" the ideas.
If the mandate from the great commission is truly "make disciples" and the secret to discipleship is obedience through accountability, then small group/cell group relationships are a vital key. It may be time to admit the limitations of a "targeted approach" to ministry, however I still believe in mission statements, goals and objectives, etc. I have served and suffered under the Pastor-as-CEO structures and I think that it is a bad approach to ministry. However it does provide structure and discipline and it does facilitate needed changes. I would like for Christians and non-Christians alike to view church leadership in more of a pastoral/nurturing role rather than business/administration role.
I'm not sure that I see the difference between the micro-church and the cell group/Bible class that many congregations use today. If each is independent from the other, is the "corporate" collective? Is there no value in the corporate worship experience?
In conclusion, I want to affirm the diversity of ministry models that result in real world ministry, not just programs and activity. I want to acknowledge the relational nature of authentic evangelism and discipleship. I want to embrace new ideas and technologies that will strengthen the reach of the Church into a radically, dramatically different culture that is slipping into an alternate universe where the laws of nature as I understand them do not apply. I agree with Paul, "When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ." (I Cor 9:22 NLT)