Are You a Nascar Church or a Jeep Church?

In this world, there are stock cars and there are jeeps.  Stock cars travel the same, smooth road over and over and over; round and round and round. They are very good at it. They go fast. They are flashy. They are loud.  Jeeps, on the other hand travel different roads...and they don't travel as quickly.  They take their time and pick the best route. They must go slow. Sometimes, they even stop to scout the way ahead and enjoy the beautiful scenery around them. 

What about your church?  Are you more a like a stock car racer on the Nascar circuit or a back country Jeep on a quiet mountain trail? Here is a simple test to help you decide:

A) Does your church 1) need to be loud?  Or, 2) does your church seek that quiet place? If you answered "1", you might be a Nascar church.

"Early in the morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there." (Mark 1:35)

B) Does your church 1) need to drive on familiar ground, sing familiar songs, and do things the same way again, and again, and again...year, after year, after year? Or, 2) is your church willing to take that road less traveled and step out in faith even if you have never done it that way before? If you answered "1", you just might be a Nascar church.

"And He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch.'" (John 21:6a)

C) Does your church 1) need to be fast; to move at incredible speed from one event to another with no time for rest? Does it feel like there is always something going on, or at least a need for something to always be going on? Or, 2) Is your church an unhurried place where there is assurance that God is in control and the victory has already been won? If you answered "1", that's right. You just might be a Nascar church.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters." (Psalm 23:2)

D) Does your church 1) need to be flashy to be seen? Are you concerned about advertising and curb appeal? Does your sanctuary need to be ancient and awe-inspiring or contemporary and tech-savvy? Is your survival based on being seen? Or, 2) does your church know the value of leaving no trace; of becoming invisible so that God might be seen? If you answered "1", you most definitely are a Nascar church.

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with you Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 6:1)

If you are a Nascar church, don't loose hope!  Just don't forget that all good racers eventually apply the brakes and come in for a pit stop. Sometimes the tires need to be changed so that the road before you can be more firmly gripped.  And remember, all good races come to an end. Spend some time between sprints reconnecting with family and catching your breath.  You just may discover that God is off that beaten track, taking the wilderness road.  Perhaps it is time for your Nascar church to just stop, pull over, and smell the burning bush. 

Congregational Sabbath: Less doing. More being.

Photo from www.sxc.hu 933946

Church Sabbath in the Midst of Stagnation

It's been there a while. It shows signs of age, but it isn't going anywhere soon.  It's hasn't changed...at least not that much.  In fact, church Consultant George Bullard (www.bullardjournal.org) makes the following observation:  

"At 50 years old many congregations are at the point where they may fully institutionalize their patterns and practices and declare them sacred to the life and ministry of the congregation. This is often their most significant step in moving from movement to monument or museum. Wouldn’t it be great if instead of taking this institutionalization step congregations could reset their ministry through a year of jubilee?"

Jubilee, bases on Leviticus 25, is the command given to ancient Israel to let the land lay fallow...for an entire year!  No planting. No weeding. No harvest. The promise is that God will provide when his people stop. (Leviticus 25:21)  But not just provide, also bless.  I believe this is also the promise that God makes the church.  Let the institutionalized patterns and practices lay fallow.  The Lord will provide. The Lord will bless.  We don't need to knock ourselves out, wear ourselves out, and burn ourselves out trying to maintain the church. That's not our job.  

Furthermore, the promise is not only for provision, it is also for freedom.  (Leviticus 25:41-42) This ancient promise is for our present church. Congregational Sabbath (jubilee) will set the monolithic church free if we surrender our control.  If we have faith enough to step back from institutional maintenance, we will be set free to pursue real ministry.  If we dare to stop proppping up programs that drain our energy, we are set free to partner with the Holy Spirit that brings life.  If we untie ourselves from the church, we are set free to love the Lord and love one another. This is our job.

Over time, we have begun to equate the way we do church as ministry.  We have to maintain the church, we believe, because that is all there is to our faith.  And we are faithful in that endeavor.  However, we have also become rigid.  We have become immovable. We have become monolithic. We have become self-reliant instead of faithful.  God calls us to a new life.  An abundant life. The Good Shepherd calls to be part of a movement, not a monument.  It all starts when we stop. 

Congregational Sabbath. Less doing. More being.

Photo from www.sxc.hu 445573