One of the questions our Management Team wrestles with continually is the balance between “bringing” and “building” (unchurched and churched)! While both are necessary and biblical, where does the focus rest… on those who are churched or those who are unchurched? Is there ever a point at which we stop taking responsibility for one or the other?
Apparently we are not the only church wrestling with this! One church that did a survey found that, “the most satisfied church members were those who were new believers or early in their faith–and the least satisfied were those who were more ‘mature’ in their faith.” (See more here)
It seems to me that Scripture teaches, the longer you are in the church the fewer rights you have and the more responsibility you have! (see Hebrews 5:12-6:3; Romans 14).
The church is exactly opposite of the world! In the world the longer people are in an organization the more seniority they have and the more their preferences shape the organization! In the church, the longer people are in the “organization”, the less it is about them and the more their responsibility becomes serving others!
So where are we in this search for biblical balance?
Let me go back to the first questions asked in this post…
“Where does the focus rest… on those who are churched or unchurched?” In my opinion, the best case scenario is one in which every believer in the church sees himself/herself as a part of a team that is bringing the unsaved/unchurched into a relationship with Jesus Christ and then connecting with him/her in a discipling relationship! The focus is on getting the believer to focus on the unbeliever for the purpose of leading him/her to Jesus Christ!
And now the ten million dollar question…
Is there ever a point at which we stop taking responsibility for one or the other? Yes. I believe we stop focusing on the believer when one of three things happens:
- He/she becomes divisive in the church demanding his/her own way (Titus 3:10-11)
- He/she becomes dependent on the church for his/her growth, refusing to engage in service, giving, group life, spiritual disciplines, etc. It is impossible to “build” something that is non-existent. At this point a difficult, but necessary conversation should be had, one that addresses the authenticity of his/her faith claim. (see 2 Timothy 2:23-26 for some guidance on this one)
- He/she is deceptive in his/her confession of faith (1 Corinthians 5:9-11)
The bottom line here is that…
We NEVER stop taking responsibility for the unbeliever… Jesus took it all the way to the cross and calls us to the same level of commitment… doing whatever it takes, without violating Scripture, to bring God’s “Cherished missing” back to Him (1 Corinthians 9:16-22).
We bring people to Jesus and build them up in that relationship so that they can bring others to Jesus and build them up in that relationship so that they can bring others…
Filed under: Northgate News, church
Hey man,
I really love your heart and your focus. I support you 100%! Keep sharing your vision. Just a thought I had…
In preparing for this week I came across this verse in John 1:14 “The Word (Jesus) became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one of a kind glory, like Father, Like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish”. Well as you can imagine the message translation of this verse really hit home to me, literally. What if Jesus really did move into our neighborhood? What things would change? What kind of house would he live in? Would he spend his time at a church or organizing the best block parties you’ve ever seen? On a serious note would I want Jesus to come to my church? I mean I am Christian so obviously I would want Jesus to come, but understand that when Jesus walked in things would change.
This week we are going to explore in depth what it means when we ask Jesus to use us to walk across the room. Our group is going to become an even more messy, uncomfortable place to worship. But we have to ask in reaction to that, what are we called to do? I believe as Christians we are not called to build great buildings, execute effective programs or make people fit into a “this is how we roll around here” mold as much as we are called to sacrifice the “me, mine and ours” thoughts and build people just like Jesus. This is going to be tough.
So before you sign on for all this asking Jesus to move in business, I don’t want you to worry about what other Christians might think of you, but seriously question the reality of what this could mean for your church. Better yet think about what it would be like to come to a service and not be able to sit in your regular seat, because someone else is sitting there. You go to talk and socialize with everyone and you realize that as you look around you feel lost in a group you used feel comfortable in. To close this email I want to you wrestle with these thoughts, am I willing to realign my identity to reach out and share my bagels, my seats, my worship music, my close knit group or my Jesus with others?
I wonder if Jesus were to look or move into Northgate, what would he ask us. Would he ask us why we have forsaken our first love, would he tell us to wake up, or will he confirm to us that he has opened a door that no one can shut. May we all be willing to hear what he is saying to us as his church. It is not about us, it is all about HIM. Our focus needs to be on him and he will do more than we can ask or imagine.
I agree Anthony,
How is Northgate doing in the department of Discipleship? Training others, to train others, to bring others to Jesus.
Is everyone being spiritually feed enough to feed others?
If Christians are truely excited about Jesus and understand God’s word, it will naturally show to others,(”they will know us by our love”) and they will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus because of the excitement and love shown by us. (We need to be true examples to others)
Some are hungry. Is there enough spiritual food at Northgate to feed the 600? Is teaching God’s word our primary forcus? Is there room for more to come join us?
[...] church? Should it continue as is, or move to reaching more unbelievers? This is one question in What Should We Expect from the Church? As someone with that vague God feeling and as I was just learning what being a Christian meant, I [...]
[...] What should we expect from the church… a conversation Earlier this week I posted some thoughts on a question, “What should we expect from the church” (see it here). [...]
Traci,
Great questions!
With regards to how we are doing discipleship…
I think that we should always be evaluating our concept of “discipleship.”
Discipleship is NOT simply a matter of more information! Discipleship is a matter of more “Doing.”
St. Paul nails it in 1 Corinthians 8:1 when he writes, “While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church.”
He nails it again in Galatians 5:6 when he writes, “What is important is faith expressing itself in love.”
The bottom line here is not a matter of more information, but more application… that’s discipleship!
As we continue to bring more people to Jesus it is imperative that we focus on CONNECTION! Everyone connected to someone so that no one has to make the journey alone!
As we continue to explore the idea of “Connection” at Northgate we will get better and better at providing a high impact discipleship environment!
Remember this, every connection should provide a place for people to pray for one another, care for one another, and share with one another.
One last thought… Discipleship on the road is much more effective than discipleship in the classroom!
Peace!
Paul
What should we expect from church? I think we should expect the same kind of things we expect in other healthy relationships. We should expect that they will be in life with us, not holding us up as I see that as Christ’s job, walking alongside so that whoever is weak at the time (and we all have those times) can rest his weight on his brothers. I believe that we should expect them to work for change in the lives of their members and in their community. I believe that we should expect them to be welcoming to all people regardless of where they are in their walk toward God, and we should hold those who claim faith accountable for their actions. I think we should expect for there to be mutual submission among its members, not one group or person overlording (I am not speaking against God ordained authority) it over the weaker members. I believe we should expect the church to grow and change, not in our confession of faith but our methodology should be designed to meet the needs of the people who are in our community. (Jesus didn’t tell stories about sheep to people who had never seen one.) I also think we should expect them to understand that righteousness is not a human standard of perfection, as the old saying goes the church is the only army in history to slay its own wounded, we need to accept repentance for what it is and remember the reason for our right standing with God has nothing to do with us. Sorry, could go on all day, great topic, great post.
[...] same principle applies in the church (see here for further discussion on this [...]