Dear friends,
Recently, on the recommendation of a friend, I read the book, “Finding Church, summary,” by Wayne Jacobson. Wayne is perhaps best known for his novel, “The Shack.”
Wayne’s perspective is shaped by his own journey of being hurt, and from his perspective, wronged as an associate pastor in a large church. In his book, he articulates what he sees as the malaise of the organized church. He challenges people to simply ”be” the Church, rather than to attempt to build churches as a human organizations. He believes that the best solution is to meet in small, unstructured gatherings. He writes:
Our view of “church life” today has far more to do with institutional identity, meetings, rituals, ethics, and doctrines than demonstrating what a community of Godly love looks like. From that foundation, it is difficult to find our way into the reality of Christ’s church. Maybe he didn’t talk so much about the church because it was not the means to his end. What if he knew it was simply the fruit of his working and that it takes shape quite easily wherever people learn to follow him?
While I find myself agreeing with much of what Jacobson identifies as the shortcomings/potential shortcomings of many churches, especially larger ones, I do not share his pessimism as to the ability of churches to overcome these, by God’s grace. Furthermore, it is my observation that the shortcomings that Jacobson notes are not restricted to churches that are either “organized” or large. Small, informal fellowships can be just as guilty of the same problems and challenges. An authoritarian will be one in a large or small setting.
On this note, Jacobson identifies eight tell-tale signs of the church that will rise out of Jesus’ new creation:
1. Jesus himself is the overwhelming focus: “following Jesus the only True Shepherd, not human shepherds.”
2. Trusting Jesus work over human effort: “not made with human hands.”
3. Community grows from the desire of a transformed heart: “ devotion without obligation.”
4. The depth of relationship is valued over pre-planned meetings: “gatherings without meetings.”
5. Authority rises from the revelation of Jesus, not from well-crafted structures. “authority without hierarchy.”
6. Order comes from mutual respect and affection, not from politics and rules. “order without control.”
7. Unity emerges from wholehearted agreement, not from conformity imposed from the outside. “unity without conformity”
8. Everyone is equipped to follow Jesus. “equipping without subduing.”
I agree with Jacobson that these are signs of effective and Christ-centred church, and encourage you to consider your church – large or small in light of these. It is not about size so much as it is about authenticity, relationships and recognizing the Lordship of Christ.
For an expansion of these six “signs,” please see the attachment, “Finding Church.”
As I reflect on what Jacobson writes, I believe that his concerns relate more to “core values” than simply to size or structure. In healthy churches, core values should determine our structures, our meetings and policies, and we need to be careful that these don’t simply become casualties of growth.
What do you think? What is your observation with church … with your church?
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Please see theFive Minutes on Friday, April 7, 2017, for news on pastoral transition.
LPD Women in Ministry Facebook Page. On Saturday of conference, LPD women in in ministry (women church ministry staff and pastor’s wives) met for lunch and a number of them expressed interest in being connected. Karen has set up a Facebook Page, and invites all women church ministry staff and pastor’s wives to join. The purpose is communication, encouragement and prayer for one another.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24,35).
To join the Facebook Page – please search “LPD Women in Ministry” and click ‘Join”
Pastors – please inform your spouse of this opportunity.
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• Please remember Quadra Island Bible Church – our LPD “
. Thanks to Anna (Ben) Crumback at Sointula Community Church for producing the Church of the Week!
Upcoming Events:
• Island LPD Churches Transitioning to the new BC Societies Act Workshop at Wildwood Community Church on Thursday, April 20. We will meet for bag lunches at 12:00 noon and hold our workshop at 1:00 PM. At this, event, we will provide resources for your church to transition and also give opportunities to raise and answer questions pertaining to our proposed bylaw change.
• LPD Pastors and Staff Cruise – Wednesday, May 31 – please mark your calendars.
May God bless and keep you as you look to the Lord, and trust him for his good work in the week ahead.
In Jesus,
Rob
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In 2017, our Lower Pacific District is assisting in the birth and revitalization of churches. We have also stepped out in faith with local churches through providing financial support and seed money. To this end, we appreciate the gifts of many district churches and also of individuals. You can participate through both cheques and online through PayPal at our website. See LPD website at https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/ for more info.
