Relationship over Mission
In the April 2010 newsletter I encouraged readers to pick up Neal Cole's recent book, Church 3:0, Upgrades for the Futher of the Church. Check out the book review:
http://www.ministryformation.com.au/component/content/article/31-book-reviews/166-church-30-upgrades-for-the-future-of-the-church.html
Cole goes on in chapter two of his book to describe our changing culture and how the post modern mind and values have and will continue to impact the church of the future. In upcoming blogs I plan to reflect on how Cole describes these cultural shifts, and what this might mean for the future of the CRCA in particular, and the church in Australia in general.
The first postmodern value that Cole describes is relationship over mission.
Quoting Ed Stetzer, Richie Stanley, and Jason Hayes (Lost and Found) Cole writes: they tell us that "more [younger unchurched poeple] would prefer to read an inspirational book than seek inspirational help from a church. Remarkably, only one in six would go to church if seeking spiritual guidance." At the same time, the study tells us that nine out of ten young adults have at least one Christian among their close friends.... The question I have is, Why don't we switch our strategy from attractional church programming to something that empowers and releases those close Christian friends to have the real influence? Instead of reaching the 17 percent who would look for guidance at an organized church, why not go after the 91 percent that have a relational connection with a Christian? (Church 3:0, p. 29)
A week ago I spent some time with the church leaders from St. Marys, a CRCA congregation in the western suburbs of Sydney. About a year ago this church of 120 congregants welcomed a new pastor, Bob Murray. Bob and his team are committed to reaching their community for Christ. This past year they began a street ministry in the local park targeting unchurched people with the goal of building relationships with these people. Currently there is a proposal before the congregation to hire a parttime evangelism coordinator. This role will be to help church members leverage their effectiveness in reaching the lost for Christ.
Given what Cole suggests, this strategy makes a whole lot of sense. Rather than hiring someone who would serve the congregation (meet the needs of the churched) St. Marys is heading in the direction of hiring someone who will help the church serve the community (meet the needs of the unchurched). That investment will be more effective in reaching the 91% of the unchurched rather than the 17%. Makes sense doesn't it?
So here is the question to think about, as Cole puts it: Why is it that when we consider ways to reach out to the lost we always plan events rather than using the natural relationships God has already given to us?
Why not share a story how you or your church are using natural relationships to advance the kingdom?
About the author
Jack De Vries was hired on by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and began his work as Ministry Training Coordinator in January 2008. In 2012 this role shifted to that of Ministry Development Coach.
Jack came from Canada where he pastored three Christian Reformed churches: Alliston CRC, Alliston, Ontario(1983-87), a church plant: New Life Community Church, Pickering, Ontario(1987-95), and Bethel CRC, Listowel, Ontario (1995-2007). Jack is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity - 1983) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry - 2003) Jack and his wife Jeannie currently live in Petrie, a northern suburb of Brisbane in Queensland. They attend and are members of Bray Park Community Church. They have four adult children and seven grandchildren living in the USA and Canada.
In Isaiah 58:11 we read: "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Australia has seen times of drought and floods. There is another type of drought in Australia; there is a spiritual drought. But God promises to provide refreshing rain, a never ending supply of refreshing water. The water he provides will satisfy the needs of all Australians. As we take up the missional vision God has given us we extend the life changing invitation of Jesus: "Come! Whoever is thirsty, come, and take the free gift of the water of life!" (Revelation 22:17)
