Church series - # 3

REVIEW – So, we’re a community?

What choices must we make to become a real community, a compassionate people?

Randy Frazee, in The Connecting Church, discusses these in some depth.

1. The first and obvious choice is that of surrendering to the loving embrace of Jesus Christ!

2. The second choice is accepting authority.

3. The third choice is adopting a common creed, shared beliefs and practices that

supercede personal interpretations and preferences.

4. The fourth choice is similar. There must be shared traditions.

5. The fifth choice is to create a commonly accepted mission.

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What is a successful church?

As I begin I need to acknowledge my indebtedness to Randy Frazee, Bob Buford, and Rick Warren for many of the thoughts in this message.

Their writing, especially the books, The Connecting Church, and Half Time, have been very valuable.

I don’t know many people who decide as they begin adulthood, “I want to fail!” Some wouldn’t use the word, “success,” but nearly everyone has some ideal kind of life that they want for themselves. And, if pressed, they would call achieving that life, ‘success.’

When I was 16 years of age, God called me to serve Him vocationally, to invest my life in ministry and His church. Alongside of that vision, were values that were modeled by most of the people around me - a good marriage, several children, enough money to adequately support my family. And by those measures I have enjoyed success. But in the so-called second half of life which starts around age 40, my ideals of success shifted! Where once I had been preoccupied with gaining the external measures of success, I began to think more and more about who I was rather than so much about what I had done. I’m not unique in this experience.

Bob Buford calls this shift moving from “success to significance!” Truthfully, the emphasis is still on success, but by a new kind of measure. Without boring you, my ideals have shifted to relationships, to building legacy, from what I am doing for Christ to who I am becoming in Christ!

In recent months I have been forced to think hard about what our church is about, a kind of pastoral ‘mid-life’ crisis, if you will. The process is similar to my personal evaluation in that I am asking tough questions of myself about the focus of our ministry, about the meaning of success for our church. My conclusion is still being shaped, but one thing I have come to grips with is this:

no church can be success in the mission of building Christ’s Kingdom, unless the people in the Body are pursuing spiritual growth and applied discipleship!

Simply put - we cannot define ‘successful church’ without also defining ‘successful Christian.’

The most common measures of church success are a lot like the external markers of success of the first 20 years of my adult life! Randy Frazee calls them the ‘A, B, C’s of church success.’

A - represents the number of people in attendance,

B - represents the church’s buildings, and

C - represents the cash available to support church programs.

The ABC method of measuring church success is not all that different from the business models by which any corporation functions. But, is the church really successful so long as there are more people, bigger buildings, and plenty of funding? I think not.

A man who enjoys growing influence, a larger store of resources, who drives a late model car, and lives in a nice home with a well-manicured lawn may appear successful. He also may have a proud heart, a selfish attitude, or be a slave to some addiction.

ill- the sad story of the student who shot 6 dead and left a dozen wounded at Northern Illinois University this week

Those who knew him said he was friendly, fun and responsible – yet hidden underneath that smile

was a troubled mind that led him to a terrible end!

Similarly, a church may appear success while missing the mission of ‘being the Body of Christ’ almost entirely! Under our worship, our programs, our apparent success ... is there a reality of spiritual health?

A church is only a real success if she is producing followers of Christ who take seriously His two commands:

∙ “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it:

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV)

Do you know what the application of those commandments means for you?

It is not too difficult to nod in agreement, even to want to “Love God completely,” and “Love my neighbor,” without really having much idea about what that looks like in our lives beyond going to church and being a nice person! In fact there are thousands of churches in America, packed with millions of people, who would claim to believe in Jesus’ words and commands, and yet, they are not really known for being radically Christian, their day to day lives are not all that much changed by what they believe.

If Jesus stood here today would He say this to us? “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God." (Revelation 3:1-2, NIV)

Pastor Rick Warren uses an illustration for a maturing Christian life that is very effective. Take a look.

First base is about belief, about accepting the truth of the Bible, about believing in Jesus Christ. We are, at first, ‘hearers of the Word,’ who take a step of faith. The journey from first base to second base is about growing in Christ, about gaining understanding about what He taught and what that means for our lives. The truth is this -

Most Believers never travel beyond 2^nd base!

Polls show that about 90% of Americans consider themselves to be Christian. Of that 90%, about half identify themselves as ‘born again’ or ‘evangelical’ Christians. With those kinds of numbers we would expect that evidence of Christian faith would be seen powerfully throughout our nation, but that is not the case. This, to me, is evidence that while many may ‘believe’ they have not moved past an internalized, privatized kind of faith.

Second base marks a time when a Believer begins to be a ‘do-er.’ His faith goes from being an internal, ‘what I think’ about Jesus into a way of life that applies what he believes to his life. He begins to serve Christ, though even then it is a general, often emotion driven, sporadic kind of service.

Third base is a level of discipleship where a Believer accepts a place of regular ministry. He begins to shape his life around his Christianity, making his love for Christ the thing that shapes everything else in his life. Serving God becomes his true Mission in life.

Fourth base is the time when the Believer develops a life encompassing intimacy with Christ and can be said to be ‘full of the Spirit.’ There is no part of his life that is lived apart from loving Christ. He can say truly, “for me to live is Christ!” Faith is mature. Such a Believer enjoys a powerful spiritual influence that comes not from knowledge, but from the Holy Spirit who empowers him and flows from him.

Jesus described this kind of life with a startling yet vivid illustration: "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive." (John 7:38-39, NIV) Imagine the impact of this statement to a people who lived in a desert, where water was precious; wherever it flowed there were places of refreshing! Those who live in intimacy with God, who have gone beyond belief, through service, and to knowing Him are people who are life-givers to this world!

To return to my original question about a successful church--

Imagine the kind of influence that a church filled with people who are full of the Spirit,

walking close to God on a daily basis, would enjoy in the town, the region; even the world?

(PAUSE, let the question hang...)

Randy Frazee writes about 7 functions that a mature Believer as well as a Biblical Church will have as part of life. He uses the word ‘service,’ and turns it into an acronym. These are not optional parts of the Christian life. They are all, for each one of us. How we experience them, how we implement them will vary depending on our temperament, our opportunities, and yes, how the Spirit gifts us for service. But each of one will have each function in our lives. And, every healthy mature church will encompass these functions as well.

S - Spiritual Formation

This Christ-follower is not content to live with his sins, or tolerate habits he knows are detrimental to his walk with God. He actively, consistently, and rigorously engages himself in the disciplines of life that open his heart and mind to the work of the Word and Spirit, and he is transformed from sinner to saint in the process. To borrow a phrase, “he is a becomer!”

You will not be moving towards maturity (may I say, ‘success?’) in your Christian life without practicing the disciplines of Bible intake, prayer, corporate worship, giving, and more.

E- Evangelism

Every Believer will make sharing his faith a priority choice. Yes, the Bible says that some will be gifted as evangelists but all of us are commissioned by the Lord to ‘go and make disciples!’ I know the word- evangelism- makes some of shudder given the kinds of things we associate with it. There are few experiences that I remember with less enthusiasm than being sent out to knock on doors to hand out church brochures when I was a teenager. I knew how much I disliked having a Jehovah’s Witness try to ‘convert’ me and so when I was told that I had to do the same kind of ‘witnessing’ I hated it! (And that word is not too strong nor is it hyperbole!) I hated it then, and still do not like ‘in your face’ tactics of sharing Christ.

But, there is no joy that compares to sharing the love of God with someone in a respectful way! When I take the opportunity to pray with someone in need, or to tell somebody that God is there and that they can trust Him, I am an evangelist!

R- Reproduction

The result of evangelism is growth and reproduction! I have said it in the past but it bears repeating. Every Christian should be involved in mentoring relationships that are ‘up’ and ‘down’ line. What does that mean? There should be those who are further along in the Way that we are who are coaching up towards growth in our discipleship, and we should be reaching to someone that needs to be encouraged, drawn to Christ. Of course, that does not happen if we privatize our faith. Mentoring requires community!

V - Volunteerism

Every Believer will be a servant! Our profession of love is meaningless without acts of service! John says, “let us show love by our actions.” Some Christians will find a place to serve within their local church. Others will find ways to serve in their community. But, all will give of themselves. Serving is basic to a life that is shaped by the message of Christ.

I - International Mission

This function is somewhat controversial, but I hope you will consider it. A disciple of Christ recognizes that he is part of a Church that is bigger than nation or tribe or race! The justice and mercy and acceptance that the Bible teaches is a core part of how a godly person lives does not flourish where one loves country more than God. Don’t misunderstand me. Listen carefully. I am not saying that a Believer cannot be a good citizen or feel pride in his nation or flag. But, we are Christian first and American second!

We feel a kinship with those who are in Christ who are South African, Mexican, Russian, or Chinese! This is not a minor point. This shift in thinking will make a real difference in the way one lives his Christian life and yes, even on the ways he expresses his political views.

C- Care,

for those in the Body of Christ, and

E - Extended Compassion

for everyone who is in need.

Christianity, when it is alive and strong, always finds expression in practical concern for others! James asks,

"What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?" (James 2:14-16, NLT)

Jesus said that when we care for those who are cold, hungry, or oppressed, we are ministering to Him! “I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40, The Message)

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I cannot tell you how much I desire to lead a church that makes a measurable difference in this town, this region, this state, this nation; yes, in the world! I am much less concerned with the numbers in attendance, the size of our buildings, or the cash we have in the bank than I am about the quality of the disciples that make Washington Assembly their community, their church home.

Believer, if we are growing in grace, becoming more mature, and filled with the Spirit -

I know that our church will be a place that glorifies God!

Let me urge you to prayerfully consider this challenge. Ask the Lord to lead you from success to significance.

Let Him take you from Belief to Service to Intimacy.

Such a life is one of abundance, overflowing with the peace of God, filled with purpose, and best of all; that person is, even now, beginning to enjoy that which they will enjoy in Heaven, when they leave this world and step into the next.

Amen.