Community

Community. What do you think about when you hear this word? The neighborhood you live in? The city? What about the schools where your kids attend? What's your community like?

Book Review: On the Verge

In their book On the Verge: a journey into the apostolic future of the church, Alan Hirsch and Dave Ferguson seek to present a descriptive picture of a movement in Christendom that will mark the future of the church in the West. If you're looking for a book that simply presents another model for church growth and then wishes you luck at the end, this is not the book. If you're looking for a book that urges you to land on either the attractional or missional model of ecclesia, then again you shouldn't read it. The authors present some stark realities: of the 400,000 churches in America, only 1,200 are considered "mega-churches" (attendance of 2,000+). The average church in America has around 80 people. Simply put, churches cannot reproduce under the current church growth model. Though they have tried repeatedly over the last 40 years, most churches in America will never be a mega-church. I think that most church leaders who read this book understand that the church is going to look very different in the future. The question is, what are we on the verge of? There are two answers to this: either we are on the verge of complete irrelevance or a missional movement.

What is needed is a reimagining of the church in its apostolic form. Why? Because the most dynamic periods of movement in the history of Christianity have taken place as a result of a people-movement. Jesus instituted a lively, fluid, and adaptable organism called the body of Christ; somewhere along the way it became institutionalized (most mention Constantine's contribution to this). Elements central to an apostolic expression include: Jesus is Lord, disciple-making, Missional-Incarnational impulse, Apostolic Environment, Organic systems, and communitas. Out of these elements flow values and practices which together mark a paradigm shift, with the six aforementioned elements forming the core.

Churches that embrace the shift in paradigm are marked by a strong desire to reproduce at every level. Leadership is organic, with disciple-making at the forefront. These churches understand and embrace the power of the priesthood of all believers, and seek to tell the stories of people who are living out the mission of Jesus in their context.

What we are on the verge of, as Hirsch and Ferguson describe, is a powerful, reproducable people-movement centered on the values and principles of the church Jesus designed. We are on the verge of churches multiplying from the very beginning of existence, and becoming a transforming force in their communities.

This book is rich with content, but you don't get the sense that what they are saying is out of reach. It's perfectly within reach. One of the exciting realities is that every church has within it EVERYTHING it needs to accomplish its mission, as pointed out by Hirsch. What we are talking about is not so much a discovery of something new and untested. Rather, On the Verge presents a transformative recovery of the old. The old can be new again. This excites me personally. I am deeply encouraged after reading this book. I am reminded of how much Jesus is for the me, the church, and the city in which I live. This book is a powerful reminder of the potential that lies within every believer and every church to be a force for the kingdom.

How a running club reminds me of the church

The Fleet Feet Sports store in Lawrenceville hosts a Tuesday night running club. Every week both running enthusiasts and others of us who don't want to die young show up and try our hand, or foot I should say, at a 2.5 mile course circling the downtown area. My sister and a few friends peaked my interest to join the craze last week. I must give one disclaimer: I don't enjoy running. Yes, I enjoy the way I feel AFTER running. But while I'm running I am internally fighting thoughts such as, "Why am I here?", "Why did I eat that burger for lunch?", and "What are the physical signs I'm about to drop dead?". Tonight, before our run, the employees at Fleet Feet gave a "pre-game" pep talk. This stirring speech included celebrating those present who participated in yesterday's Peachtree Road Race. A few people shared their race times with the group, then everyone applauded. Then, without hesitation, we were sent out on mission: to run. 2.5 miles and twenty-something minutes later, I made my way back to the store for a cherished commodity: cold water. People then were gathering around, talking about their run, their running shoes, shirts, etc. and sharing more running stories. One thing is clear: this group knows what its purpose is. Once we were commissioned to go out and run, I didn't see anyone set up a grill for a cookout. Nor did I see anyone sit in a circle and discuss a book, or fly kites, or anything else besides running. As I left, I thought, "this is a picture of what the church should be like." A group of people sent together on mission by God. Our one purpose is to make disciples. It would be quite a weird site if I showed up for the Tuesday night running club next week and they suddenly announced that they were going to go out and set up an art display. They would no longer be a running club. If a church does anything other than make disciples of Jesus Christ, can we still call it a church?

Premature clapping or cheering in church

This morning something something funny happened during the sermon. The pastor was talking about Christians paying attention to what lines are drawn between what is sin/not sin, who draws the lines, etc. He was speaking to the fact that the culture around us might draw a line to show acceptance of something, but that believers should look to God's Word to see what is said about that particular issue. In one specific reference, he mentioned New York, and immediately a guy behind me let out a proverbial "woo hoo" cheer. He was alone. No one else in the crowd of about 2,000 cheered.

It's funny when these things happen in a crowd. Someone starts clapping or lets out a cheer thinking "surely, everyone else will follow suit." Much to their surprise, they are left on a island. It's similar to the shame of your cell phone going off in the service and everyone hearing your generic ringtone. You know the one I'm talking about that gets stuck in your head.

I wonder what this particular brave soul thought after his woo hoo outburst. I hope he doesn't retract into a shell, never to express his emotions publicly again. I hope he doesn't wait for others to laugh or clap before he does the same. I wanted to congratulate him on his bravery after the service, but all I had to recognize him by was the sound of the cheer, echoing in my mind.

Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever let out a "woo hoo" in a crowd, only to be left all alone on an island of social shame?