BookPastor >> "The Present Future"

This post was first published here, March 3rd, 2009. It is an appropriate book for church leaders to re-think, re-evaluate, and re-new their church vision.

conrade

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[Reggie McNeal, The Present Future, Jossey-Bass, 2003] 

TITLE: The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church (Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series)
AUTHOR: Reggie McNeal
PUBLISHER: Jossey-Bass, 2003.

What is the current state of the church? If the present churches were to continue in their current forms, what future will they have? Bleak and increasingly extinct. That is what church consultant and author Reggie NcNeal believes. In a provocatively written book, McNeal poses 6 wrong questions and counter them with 6 'tough' questions. The questions are tough because they are aimed at forcing a change in current forms of thinking about the church and its role. As we all know, old habits die hard, and hard habits need to be shaken up real bad before they can be altered. Unfortunately, there are some serious problems with existing paradigms. There is a visible pattern on some of the basic presuppositions of current ecclesiology:

• When we do church 'right,' the church will naturally grow.
• When the church grow, evangelism will expand
• When evangelism expands, the world will be reached for God
• All these meant that better planning for church 'growth' is the way to go.

Unfortunately, despite the most well-intentioned plans and programs, people are still not coming, save for temporal surges due to one-time events like disasters or terrible calamities affecting the wider community.

Briefly, the questions mentioned in the book are:

WRONG QUESTION	RIGHT QUESTION
1) How do we do church better?	[How do we Deconvert from churchianity to Christianity?]
2) How do we grow this Church?	[How do we transform our community?]
3) How do we turn members into ministers?	[How do we turn members into missionaries?]
4) How do we develop church members?	[How do we develop followers of Jesus?]
5) How do we plan for the future?	[How do we Prepare for the future?]
6) How do we develop leaders for Church work?	[How do we develop leaders for Christian movement?]

These questions are meant to shift the old paradigms toward something which McNeal calls 'biblical Christianity.' What Reggie is saying is that the traditional church structure needs to adapt in at least six ways. The six shifts are:

1. From Churchianity --> Christianity
2. From Church Growth --> Kingdom Growth
3. From Membership --> Missional
4. From Church Development --> Followship of Christ (Spiritual Formation)
5. From Planning --> Preparing for the Future
6. From Developing Leaders for Church Work --> Leadership of the Christian Movement

I approach Reggie's ideas with an initial question: Is Reggie saying more of the same thing, with a different slant?

Brief Notes on the Book
1) First Reality: The Collapse of Church Culture
The first point is about refocusing on the Kingdom of God rather than the Church Empire. The trouble is, there are too many people equating kingdom-work with church-work and Reggie is spot on. Reggie's statement right from the start says it very well:

The current church culture in North America is on life support. It is living off the work, money, and energy of previous generations from a previous world order. The plug will be pulled either when the money runs out (80 percent of money given to congregations comes from people aged fifty-five and older) or when the remaining three-fourths of a generation who are institutional loyalists die off or both.

McNeal argues that this first point about moving back to 'biblical Christianity' from church-based ones is 'foundational' to the next five.

2) Second Reality: The Shift from Church Growth to Kingdom Growth
This is not easily understood especially when the layperson does not see a difference between church and kingdom. Unless of course, one defines church as simply the institution or human structures and kingdom as something more God-centered. Reggie argues rightly that churches that base themselves on a consumer-type mentality, preparing programs simply to feed insatiable appetites of members are not really doing kingdom work. They are simply a spiritual aspect of the total consumerist culture. Ouch!

3) Third Reality: A New Reformation, Releasing God's People
This is partly related to the second point above, that people be freed from stifling church structures. The idea is that when people are liberated, they can do more kingdom work.

4) Fourth Reality: The Return to Spiritual Formation
This has to do with living both internal and external significant lives for God, rather than mere extrinsic toeing the line of basic church expectations.

5) Fifth Reality: The Shift from Planning to Preparation
The word 'planning' is more to describe a form of organizing activities merely for sustaining church or archaic building strategies.Instead, 'preparation' is key. This is a little strange as preparation does entails planning. I'm sure there is a better word to use, like 'old-paradigm plots.'

6) Sixth Reality: The Rise of Apostolic Leadership
This is a new twist to the phrase 'people of God as priesthood of all believers.'

My Comments
This is a book about Church. The theological word for it is ecclesiology.
Positively, Reggie has made some helpful observations about the current church environment. There is a need for the Church to change their mindsets surrounding church and the kingdom of God. Indeed, one cannot substitute church activities and call them fodder for spiritual growth. Creating activities may be part of the church life, but if done without a vision of what kingdom work means, it can easily wear out both paid staff and unpaid volunteers very quickly. While high in criticisms of the current traditional church, Reggie has a rather pessimistic view of the church in general. This leads us to some negative points about the book.

On a negative note, Reggie's work can easily be misconstrued as another attempt at church bashing. One can say that we already have lots of other books doing that, and we do not need another to break the already-fragile camel's back. Secondly, it is written specifically from a North American viewpoint, and we need to read the book in that context, and not blatantly apply them on a global scale. Thirdly, while he is spot on in saying that churches need to reconnect with people, by dissing current churches without proposing an appropriate alternative, apart from framing the provocative questions, McNeal is less than helpful. In conclusion, the best way to read the book is not to see it as a solutions-provider. Neither should we see it as a manual for battering any church. See the book as a wake-up call, as a way to re-frame our perspective of what church means and what its mission entails. Then and only then, can we gain something positive and edifying. Perhaps, Reggie's approach appeals to anyone holding the the idea of 'whatever there is out there, challenge it.' Read by responsible and mature believers, this book is a welcome addition to the school of constructive criticism. However, placed in the hands of a young, brash believer, it may unwittingly become ammunition for further wounding a bruised church. For some, it may become fatal.

Read with care. If it helps, use it. If not, do not be too discouraged about it.

ks

"Losing to Win" Is Not Worth It

I love badminton. I play badminton when I was young. I even represented my school once, although I didn't get past the second round. Behind every serve, every retrieval, and every smash, what makes the whole event competitive and fun is that we are all playing to win. It makes our training worthwhile. It makes our win more valuable. It makes us proud to have given our all, regardless of whether we win or lose.

The Olympics is a premier sports event. Just being able to participate as an Olympian is already an honour in itself. If one can stand on the podium, it is joy unspeakable.

Umpire giving the Chinese and Korean pairs a warning
(Credit: National Post)

Not this week. For this week, we see players throwing away their matches for the sake of "fixing" their best chances. Badminton as a competitive game has been turned into a farce. An embarrassment. A shame. At the London 2012 Summer Olympics currently going on, news are still settling in on a shameful conspiracy of match fixing. In one of the most controversial and embarrassing display of 'losing to win' in badminton, eight players were disqualified for unsportsmanlike behaviour. This is a bizarre demonstration of what teams are willing to do in order to jostle for a better match up, athletes are letting their heads move faster than their hearts. After an unfancied Danish pair defeated a top seeded team from China, another team of Chinese players start to strategize on how best to plan their games in such a way to allow their country to have two Chinese teams in the final instead of a possible semi-final match-up.

After all, everyone is playing for a medal. Why kill yourself by playing so hard and to meet your toughest opponent instead in the semi-final? It is true, that in many situations, the hardest game is not the final, but the games leading up to the final. Any thinking person will definitely prefer to face their toughest opponent in a match that, win or lose, will still win a medal. What remains is this question: Is it sportsmanship to try to win big games by losing small matches?

A) I Understand

I understand what the Chinese players, the Indonesian, and the Korean women's teams are doing. They want to make sure that they have a good shot at the medals. They are prepared to pay the price of losing shamefully in the preliminaries. I understand too, that athletes often have to preserve their best energies for their most important matches. What is the point of draining oneself flat the day before, and fail to give your best at the game of your life? I understand that players themselves do not like to lose. Just making a decision to lose is already detrimental to one's principle of sportsmanship. I also understand that the organizers of the format of the competition need to take some responsibility as well. Sports officials need to make sure that future arrangements will take away any temptation for players to lose-to-win. I support a direct knock-out format.

B) Why I Support the Disqualification

Although the disqualification of the four top pairs of badminton players has meant only the weaker players remain, I think it is the principle of sportsmanship and the spirit of the Olympics that need to be held higher than the gold medal. I say this for three reasons. Firstly, losing to win mentality is a disgrace to the sport. Imagine after training so many years of your life to prepare for the Olympics, you walk into the badminton courts to play like amateur kids? If for some reason, you are paired with a tougher opposition, that does not mean one plays any less hard. One needs to play hard and to play honest, regardless. The spirit of sportsmanship must trump any selfish desire for medal glory. Secondly, losing to win dishonours not just the Spirit of the Games, it dishonours your honourable opponent. Even if one plays in order to lose, the opponent will feel that he/she has not been given the chance to excel or to do his/her best. Ever tried to play chess on your computers? What if you try to cheat by undoing your moves every time you are disadvantaged? You can keep undoing your moves until you finally win. However, what does that do to your chess skills? How can you then honestly claim that your win is fair and square? You may get away by cheating the computer. In real life, when you play your opponent, the important spirit of community and brotherhood is not only to do your best, but to force your opponents to excel as well. Good performances that motivates others to perform well is worthy of all of our support. Thirdly, losing to win takes away the honour of an Olympian. I liken this to a form of indirect cheating. By strategizing in such a way to get weaker opponents in your draw on the way to the final, it looks to me more like sly manipulation rather than honest competition.

C) Winning is NOT Everything

The key underlying cultural theme that is prevalent, infrequently questioned, and often assumed without critical thinking. It is the mentality that espouses, "Winning is Everything."

Not really. On the contrary, winning at all costs is costly. The spirit of sportsmanship is not just to give your best, but by your actions, embolden others to compete at their best. For me, what is a more appropriate maxim is this: "A winning mentality is everything." A winning mentality aims to compete fairly. Losing to win is shamefully unfair. Unfair to the spirit of the Olympics. Unfair to your worthy opponents. Unfair to audiences all over the world.

Take the example of Derek Redmond at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics. Midway through a 200m race, he developed a hamstring injury on his right leg. Falling to the ground, he realized that his dream for Olympic glory was over. That did not prevent him from the greater purpose: Completing the race. With his face grimacing in pain, he mustered up great determination, limped toward the finishing line. For Redmond, completing the race is more important than winning. (watch this inspiring video here).

 

True heroes do not just play to win. They finish the race. They do not lose to win. They win regardless of the final result. For winning or losing is secondary. Be the best person we are called to be is primary. Such a winning mentality wins something more precious than a gold medal. It brings honour to the sports. It gives great inspiration to all competitors. It brings glory to our Creator God who simply asks of this one thing: "Give your best. Let Me do the rest."

conrade

Merton's Thoughts in Solitude

From time to time, I will re-read this wonderful prayer by the Catholic monk, Thomas Merton. His words continue to offer guidance to those who are not sure what to do with their lives. I am certain there are many, even those who are in their retirement years, who are still uncertain of what is the purpose of their lives. May this prayer be a helpful guide as you seek God more.

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean I am actually doing so.

"But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that, if I do this,
you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust you always
though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for You are ever with me,
and You will never leave me to face my perils alone." - Thoughts in Solitude

(Thomas Merton, Dialogues with Silence, HarperSanFrancisco, 2001, vii)

conrade

BookPastor >> "Love Without Walls"

This review was first published on 28 June 2012 at my book blog, "Panorama of a Book Saint" here.

conrade

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TITLE: Love Without Walls: Learning to Be a Church In the World For the World (Leadership Network Innovation Series)
AUTHOR: Laurie Beshore
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012, (160 pages).

This book tears down vertical walls and builds horizontal bridges. It erases the mental barriers of "I can't" by replacing them with "In God, we can." Instead of trying to make needy people feel needier and dependent on handouts, Beshore argues powerfully for a change of "giveaway" mindset toward an empowering mentality. Far too many churches have adopted a "giveaway" culture that essentially disempowers the poor and the needy from helping themselves. The major disconnect is often the helpers, despite their good intentions, seeing people as problems to be solved rather than as people to relate with. This is the crux of a walled outreach. Such outreaches more often than not puts one's ministry and one's mission primary, and everyone else becomes secondary.  As a result, many church outreach programs feed into a "culture of poverty" which unfortunately causes a "lack of a sense of self-fulfillment, and a lack of a sense of hope or a sense that things can get better." Thankfully, Beshore goes on to provide renewed understanding of how outreach can make sense to the helpers and the people to be helped. One such initiative is the four-step "development funnel."

The first step is "Expose" where volunteers are need to take a fresh look at the usual excuses for not doing any outreach. When the convictions are there, busyness is not an excuse. Neither is lack of qualifications, or uncertainty about what to do. When one knows the whys, one will creatively find out the hows.

The second step is "Enfold." This means partnering with a member of the people we are trying to help. Not only is it able to help churches and ministries gain a deeper first hand understanding of the real needs and solutions, it gives churches a chance to build relationships and disciple the leading members of the community.

The third step is "Engage." This means that volunteers learn how to engage and when to disengage. When engaging, one learns to take ownership in learning and in relating. In disengaging, one learns how to let the people learn to help themselves. Through encouragement and engaging, one connects with the community meaningfully.

The fourth step is "Empower." This remains the key purpose of any outreach program. We cannot simply sit back and relax after firing a bullet of goodwill. We cannot behave like bombardier pilots who instead of "Bombs away," call out "Food and clothing dumped away!" Empowering people requires a sharing of biblical principles of why we do what we are doing. It is a process of learning, of giving, and of sharing.

My Thoughts

I am all praise for this book. It is small enough to read through quickly but my advice is "Don't." The book is soaked with much painful experience and valuable tips for outreach that we need to spend time soaking in learning experience. Patience is needed to understand the communities we are trying to help. Leadership is needed to navigate the highs and lows of outreach efforts, of recruiting people, and of training future leaders.

The constant refrain I am hearing is this. Outreach is not about programs. It is about people. That is why we must place relationships before any giveaways, involving people up close and personal instead of isolating them as Me-Giver, You-Receiver relational dichotomy. It takes a change of attitude to say that we, the potential givers, are actually the biggest beneficiaries of outreach. This ought to humble us to build more bridges, and at the same time tear down our walls of isolation. Only then, can we truly say our love is true. Outreach is about building bridges with planks of love. We cannot look at the gulf before us and get discouraged into non-action. Instead, we need to realize how deep God's love is for miserable old me, so that we can share the love of God, as one beggar showing another beggar where to find food.

Beshore's book needs to be read by anyone interested in outreach. For that matter, if a Church is made for the benefit of others, I believe it is required reading for anyone who is a leader in any Church. My praises for this book are not only filled to the brim, it is overflowing with gratitude to Beshore and the powerful ministry of Mariners Church.

Rating. 5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is part of a blog tour with EngagingChurchBlog that runs from 25-29 June 2012, and is provided to me free by Zondervan without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

A Parenting Poem

This morning, during my sermon on "A Season of Parenting," I read out this short poem by Dianne Loomans. Taken from her book, "100 Ways to Build Self-Esteem & Teach Values,"it represents a list of learning tips with regards to raising children. It is worth pondering over the words.

IF I HAD MY CHILD TO RAISE OVER AGAIN

If I had my child to raise over again,

I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.

I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I'd run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd teach less about the love of power,

And more about the power of love.

It matters not whether my child is big or small,

From this day forth, I'll cherish it all.

(Diane Loomans, 100 Ways to Build Self-Esteem & Teach Values, Novato, CA: New World Library,2003, 216)

conrade

Teach me O Lord

As the waters cover the sea.

We live in a noisy world. As the sunset comes, let us welcome the calming of our hearts. Let us still our senses to listen. Let us be in prayer. May the noises of our world keep their distance from us, as we meditate on the Word, contemplate in the Spirit, and gravitate ourselves to the presence of the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. The following poem is helpful for us to settle ourselves, in the weekly sabbatical rhythm of rest.

"Teach me to stop and listen,
Teach me to center down.
Teach me the use of silence,
Teach me where peace is found.

Teach me to hear Your calling,
Teach me to search Your Word.
Teach me to hear in silence,
Things I have never heard.

Teach me to be collected,
Teach me to be in tune,
Teach me to be directed,
Silence will end very soon.

Then when it's time for moving,
Grant it that I might bring,
To every day and moment,
Peace from a silent spring." - (Ken Medema, blind Christian musician)

conrade

A Faith That Overcomes (Testimony of Jacqueline Law)

Thanks to Timothy L who shared this, this farewell video of the HK star, Jacqueline Law has become a touching testament of faith. How one person who learns to overcome the challenges of life, economic hardship, questions of life, her struggle with deaf, and cancer, goes beyond simply trying to deal with her own struggles. She wants to give glory to God and hope to others too!

This video is mostly in Cantonese, with a little Mandarin sprinkled throughout. With both Chinese and English subtitles, readers will be warmed and encouraged to see and hear the powerful testimony of this brave sister in Christ, who died of pancreatic cancer in Singapore on June 30th, 2012 at the age of 46.

I learn from her life and her testimony about the importance of faith, of friends to share the pain and struggles, and of the Church that points one another toward the True Hope and Joy in God. Be encouraged. This video may be lengthy, but I assure you, it is worth your time. Set aside a part of your schedule, and then watch this.

The Full Video (about 40 minutes)

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For those who are time conscious, I have placed the following links with headings for your convenience.

1. Introduction to Jacqueline Law (0:00 - 7:07)
2. Lightness of Soul (9:01 - 10:31)
3. Video Background (10:32 -13:27)
4. "Spiritually Strong when Physically Weak" (13:28)
5. Challenge #1 Testing and Coming to Faith - (15:43)
6. Challenge #2 - Encountering Deaf and Despair (19:51)
7. Serving People in Love @ Mary Kay (21:44)
8. Challenge #3 - Cancer and Chemotherapy (25:46)
9. Love not Sympathy (28:46)
10. Between Limits and Unlimited (31:26)
11. Far Sighted Vision (33:18)
12. Concluding Words (37:57)

Thank you, Jacqueline Law, for your life of faith, and your joy in the Lord Jesus that surpasses all worldly understanding. Rest in peace.

conrade