Thursday

I finished the book Change the World: Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus by Mike Slaughter. I have to say it was one of the most inspiring books that I have read in a long time. To give a hint the chapters include, Something's not working, Missional vs. Attractional, Inclusive vs Exclusive, Disciples vs. Decisions, Micro vs. Macro, Multiplication vs. Expansion, Mission vs. Mortar, and Courage vs. Compliance. To give a feel for what he has to say I did link his trailer earlier in my blog about this book. I have underlined, tabbed, and written notes throughout the book. What I find challenging is the emphasis less on doing church in a building and doing church in the world.

We often look at some of the mega churches particularly in the United Methodist tradition but also in other traditions that have reached more than 1000 up to 10,000. There is a need for people to hear the Word but are they truly becoming committed disciples. Also from my experience most of these churches are found in areas where there is an increase in population and also there is economic affluence. An example close to Nebraska is the Church of the Resurrection. Adam Hamilton has done a great job of building the church to become one of the largest churches in the United Methodist. Yet, COR is in one of the fastest growing and richest areas of Kansas City metro area. I even see that in Nebraska with the largest churches located in the growing edges of the state and the most high economic levels. While that is not wrong as those who are well to do need to hear the Word as much as others, there is a difference in what Mike Slaughter has done which may be more applicable to many churches particularly inner-city and even rural-urban settings.

Mike is the lead pastor of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio. The church is located 30 miles from Dayton which recently was known as one of the fastest dying cities in the US. Yet, by his dedication to being the hands and feet of Jesus, he has developed committed disciples who go out into the world serving those in need locally and throughout the world. His congregation grew from 100 to now over 5000 in an area that most church planters would say would be a waste of resources.

Mike "presents seven choices pastors [and I believe every church must answer] as we consider the future of the church. Will you focus on building disicples or tallying decisions? Will you multiply your impact or expand your facilities? Will you step out in courage or comply with the status quo? Will you focus on mission or will you seek to only attract? Your answers to these and other questions determine how your church will focus its time, its energy, and its budget to work for real change in a hurting world."

I plan to reflect on some of the key parts of the book in the future. I am also reading another book by Walter Brueggemann, "Journey to the Common Good." From what I have read so far it too is a good book to look at what it takes to let go of the anxiety and consumerism of this world and focus on what is needed for the common good of all people. He uses the stories from Exodus, Jeremiah, and Isaiah to make his points.