This question was asked by "T" in a comment on the last post. This question is an interesting one and definitely deserves an answer. However, there are a few things about it that make it difficult for me to do so. In any event, maybe in writing this response, I'll make some things I believe a little more clear. Feel free to comment further if you'd like me to elaborate on anything or if you have more questions.
Anyway, the short answer to your question, T, is really simple... I have no idea. There is nothing special about me that makes me better equipped to cast a vision for a church than the next person. I worship the same Jesus and read the same Bible that the next guy does, so I truly have no idea what the differences will be. Hopefully, they differences will be vast, because there are too many churches that resemble country clubs, and I have no desire to be a part of any place like that.
Now for the more elaborate attempt to answer your question:
First, I don't really consider any vision for God's church to be my own. God's vision for the church is His, and He reveals it to all of us that bother to look for it in the Bible. This whole thing about planting a church began as a result of reading what God has called His church to be, and then looking around and noticing that too few churches were living as they'd been called to. I believe that the greatest marker of Christ's church should be its love...period. Our God is love, and we should represent that to the world around us. As Christians we should be known by our love for Christ, our love for our Christian brothers and sisters, and our love for the world around us.
Now for the more elaborate attempt to answer your question:
First, I don't really consider any vision for God's church to be my own. God's vision for the church is His, and He reveals it to all of us that bother to look for it in the Bible. This whole thing about planting a church began as a result of reading what God has called His church to be, and then looking around and noticing that too few churches were living as they'd been called to. I believe that the greatest marker of Christ's church should be its love...period. Our God is love, and we should represent that to the world around us. As Christians we should be known by our love for Christ, our love for our Christian brothers and sisters, and our love for the world around us.
A second problem in answering this question is the idea that all churches are the same. Think about how many different types of churches there are. Not only do you have more denominations than one can keep track of, you also have many variances within those denominations based on many different things. Considering these things, comparison becomes difficult for me. In order to accurately address that part of the question, I'd really need to know what features or functions of churches are being lumped together.
Just in case you're looking for a vision statement for what Kathleen and I think this church should be, here it is... just keep in mind that it is still in need of some major "wordsmithing":
Our vision is to be a multi-generational, multi-cultural, missionally driven community of Christ followers joining Christ in His work to rescue humanity by building a legacy of love for Christ, each other, and the world.
Hope this helps, T.
In Christ,
Jason
Will there be a choir or "praise team?
ReplyDeleteYouth group?
Sunday School? Age segregated?
Awanas?
Define "missionally driven."
Define "worship."
Where will you meet?
What is the dress code?
What is the leadership structure?
Is there a staff? Are they paid?
Is there preaching? Who will do it?
Pulpit and pews or free-standing and chairs?
Will you do the Lord's supper? How often?
Do you baptize?
IS there an "altar call"?
Is there an altar?
What Bible interpretation will you use? What will you not use?
Will you share a meal at every meeting?
Is there advertising?
What kind of outreach, if any, will you do?
Is is Baptist? Southern Baptist?
Wow, that's quite a list. I'll answer as best and as simply as I can. Some of these details, however, are still being discussed. Rather than bore you with what I don't know, I'll share what details I do know.
ReplyDeleteOnce we have a worship leader, I'll let you know.
I was a youth pastor for 12 years, and still love youth ministry. Whatever we do, you can be sure that students will not be neglected.
Sunday school - Not initially; we just don't have the space.
Awana - Again, not initially.
Missionally driven = driven by the mission that Christ calls us to as His hands and feet here on earth. That mission is to make Him known. This church won't be a place for "country club" type Christians.
worship = an appropriate response to an almighty God
We will meet in my living room initially. Ultimately, we are looking to secure some sort of facility in the 40/42 area or in McGee's Crossroads.
Dress code is "come as you are." Jesus and his disciples were homeless for three years and travelled with no change of clothes; I can't imagine their clothes were all that nice.
This church will be pastor led, deacon served, and congregationally governed.
Not much of a staff yet; too early in the game. Right now it's just me, and I'm not paid. Ultimately, everyone who finds themselves on staff will be paid. We are really praying for people to lead our corporate worship and children.
There will be preaching, and I will do most of it.
Seating will be dictated by need and cost more than anything else. I'm not a big fan of pews.
We will do the Lord's supper. Probably no less than once a quarter.
We will baptize by immersion.
If by altar call you mean an opportunity for people to respond to the Gospel, yes. Every time we meet.
Not sure what version I'll use. I might mix it up between several. You won't hear the TNIV or The Message, for sure. Probably not the KJV, either.
There will be advertising to a small degree.
As stated before, we will be missionally driven, so our lifestyle will be one of outreach. I don't know that we'll have a "formal" outreach program. As we live life on mission, we will prayerfully look for opportunities to share Christ.
I've been calling it a not-so-tradtional Southern Baptist Church, but our theology will be conservative. For a statement of faith, you can check out the Baptist Faith and Message (2000).
This sounds exactly like every other church. How is it "not-so-traditional?"
ReplyDeleteLet me be more specific.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you need a "worship pastor?" Is he the one who decides what constitutes an "appropriate response to an almighty God?"
What is a "country club type" Christian and why do they not fit with your definition of "missionally driven?"
Why do you need a "facility?"
Why did you select "pastor led, deacon served, and congregationally governed," as your structure? Are you the one making the decisions?
How does one "find himself on staff," and why would you and a staff be paid? What are the qualifications? Why can't you lead corporate worship and children?
Why is there preaching? Is it the focus of your meeting? Why will you "do most of it?"
How did you decide on the frequency of the Lord's Supper?
Why is it necessary to have "an opportunity for people to respond to the Gospel, every time you meet?" Are you going to just preach the Gospel, every time?
Like I said before, your responses make your idea of church sound just like every other of the hundreds of churches already established in your area. How will this church of yours be "not-so-traditional?"
Let's try this another way. You obviously have some very strong ideas as to what is or is not representative of a not so traditional church. Clearly, the things I've mentioned don't qualify as such. What then, would be markers of a non-traditional church?
ReplyDelete