Comments on: Institution or Outpost?

By: Steve Jr.

Steve Jr. — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 00:06:00 +0000

I think a church’s Kingdom availability and missional approach is proportional to the size of the body. Highland does a better job at this than most mega-churches, but has every member bought into the local mission of the congregation? Have the elders and members thought about the possibilities and strategies for expansion of the Kingdom in Abilene? Does everyone feel like they are a vital part of God’s mission in this town? Are there even hints of the consumerism that is tearing the Western church apart?

Here’s a thought, just to chew on for a while (and spit out if desired): Why do Christian churches expect the lost to somehow wander into their buildings for a church home? Then, why do we expect them to leave everything they are used to to join a foreign group of people who are likely polar opposites of themselves? How much more effective would a church like Highland be if several members began having church meetings in the homes of new believers, inviting the friends and families of those new converts, then doing the same in another part of town? Through simple multiplication, Abilene could literally have a church on every corner, in every neighborhood, under every bridge, etc.

What would it take for there to be a vibrant community of faith within reach of every North American? Scratch that…in reach of every Abilenian?

By: R Debenport

R Debenport — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 19:18:00 +0000

I’m part of a church that has spent the past 5 years or so on the “ragged edge” of Christianity. We are not in the bible belt. We do not take very good care of the fish tank. We have instead tried to care for the poor and the sick (physically, emotionally, spiritually). It is not comfortable. A friend of mine compares it to a fishing boat versus a cruise ship. I would like to add, however, that this journey has been hard. I have seen our church go from 5 elders to 2. So many people have left this “uncomfortable” place I’ve lost count (there are always more comfortable churches around the corner, a “spiritual economy” of sorts). As each of you wish and pray for revival in your churches and a missional focus, I also encourage you to be preparing for a new kind of race. God bless each of you.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 13:41:00 +0000

Mike - in response to yesterday’s sermon, when it was mentioned in our Group last night, one of our quieter particpants all of a sudden began to punch the air with alternating fists and yelped “Yes, Yes!” - then she suddenly jumped up with hands in the air shouting, “I just wanted to jump up and shout, “Yes, Yes, preach it, Preacher! That’s what we need! Bring it on!”
After service, the aisles were full of people talking about the sermon. The auditorium was filled with a joyful buzz about the future changes. It’s as though the Highland family has been sitting on the edge of their seats, just waiting for this to happen. PTL!!

It might well be that the “butt on the pew” churchians will have a cow about this. But,imho, God did not establish His church to be static with ingrown consumerism. As a now famous adage says, “Let’s roll!!”

You, the Elders, staff members, all involved, will be in my prayers.

One question. How can I help? Estoy a tus ordenes!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 01:58:00 +0000

Amen and amen.

Do you know of any churches that exemplify church as an outpost of the kingdom?

Mark Van S
http://www.missionthink.com

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 11 Sep 2004 17:46:00 +0000

Anon - Thanks for that heartfelt response (and to the rest of you, as well, of course). My heart hurts for you and others who are in this situation. Trust me: I wouldn’t say MOVE ON. While that may be where God leads some people, I admire those who stay because of deep community. My guess is that elderships like you’ve described have institutionalism engrained in them. But they don’t mean to just fly the institutional flag. They (at times) think they’re protected people from dangers. But, alas, we’re called to live in dangerous waters. But most of these elderships genuinely want to impact their communities with the good news. They’re ripe for missional language (rather than the consumerism that is probably driving them crazy, too). A longer answer is needed than I can give right now. Others jump in . . . and I’ll try to add more later. Shalom!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 11 Sep 2004 17:44:00 +0000

I appreciate what “anonymous” just wrote. I’m in that same situation at my church. I’m also one who votes for getting to post anonymously. Thanks!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 11 Sep 2004 17:32:00 +0000

In most congergations the elders are a few years ahead of the congergation in their thinking and plannng…but there are the churchs where the majority of the congergation is ahead of the eldership. What do you do when you are not a leader of in the “institutional” church family you are a deep part of, but you long for the outpost type thinking and atmosphere? Please don’t say move because that is not really an option. Specifically, what would you do?(Glad the anonymous comments are on today!)

By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 11 Sep 2004 15:41:00 +0000

Thank you Mike.
Please keep blogging. You can’t imagine what a blessing your writing is for those of us in the
situation you just described with no other viable
local options.
Thanks again. Looking forward to hearing you at Zoe.

By: Grant

Grant — Fri, 10 Sep 2004 19:20:00 +0000

(I am joking about the people lining up at my computer..)

By: Grant

Grant — Fri, 10 Sep 2004 19:18:00 +0000

Enough with the spiritual community mumbo-jumbo. I’ve just experienced a miracle on par with the Virgin Mary appearing in the rust stains of a car in Elsa, Texas: when I clicked on Mike’s blog, a pop-up window took me to…the Barnes & Noble website! No, I’m not joking.

The masses are lining up in downtown Abilene, as we speak, to look at my computer screen.

By: CL

CL — Fri, 10 Sep 2004 18:50:00 +0000

All I can say is. Thanks. I love to read thoughts like these from you because they encourage me in knowing that the way I see the big picture isn’t diluted by my own personal desires and that there are others who see things this way. God bless you brother, roll on!!

By: James

James — Fri, 10 Sep 2004 17:22:00 +0000

Mike, you’re on a roll, keep it coming, brother.

“Keepers of the Aquarium”–that’s good. I call ‘em Spiritual Janitors.

By: SG

SG — Fri, 10 Sep 2004 15:17:00 +0000

What he said! AMEN!

By: Brandon Scott

Brandon Scott — Fri, 10 Sep 2004 14:45:00 +0000

Mike-
For the love…PLEASE write the book. Here’s one more day when I feel compelled to just link everyone I know (and don’t know, for that matter) to your bog site. Great thoughts, man. Bold, yet Godly. That’s you.

By: c

Fri, 10 Sep 2004 14:33:00 +0000

While in Lee Camp’s class last night, we were discussing the Rule of St. Benedict and how the abbot was called “Master” and given much authority over the other monks. He was called “Lord” and seemed to be the leader of the group. Whatever he says, if its not for evil intent, then we should listen, be submissive. We talked about how the abbot was not a dictator, but one who wants others to live the life of Christ closely and with allegiance. In doing that, the abbot sure has to model what he says. Our discussion turned to the authority of elders. I see how this could effect the institutional model as well as the Kingdom model.

Second, your comments seem to scream COMMUNITY. And by that I mean living life as a community and performing practices (disciplines) that place us under God’s grace that empowers us to be the people he intended us to become. With this, should we see the Bible as an authoritative community member? As a community, should we see if we are being relevant to God’s story instead of making the Bible relevant for our lives? (thoughts out of Pagitt’s book) Sorry to digress.