Wednesday, September 15, 2010

DON

There are at least two approaches to doing church these days. Actually there are about 87 approaches, but two tend to rule ... attractional and incarnational. Many of the other 'brands' are simply kissing cousins to these two.

The attractional approach - admittedly - has some appeal, but in particular it is with those who already have some prior context of 'church.' Though it is difficult for some of us to do, we must accept that the growing post-everything culture must be wooed thru a more incarnational process.

Here are the basic differences:

ATTRACTIONAL
Searcher is invited to church
Searcher confesses belief in Christ
Searcher repeats a prayer
Searcher joins himself to the church
Searcher experiences discipleship in a classroom
Focus is on counting confessions
Believing enables searcher to belong

INCARNATIONAL
Searcher is invited to belong to the community
Searcher confesses some interest
Searcher experiences the Good News
Searches participates in community
Searcher experiences discipleship via mentoring and apprenticeship
Focus is on transformation
Belonging enables searcher to believe

Incarnational is about returning to something ancient, something tried, something true, something trustworthy. We need to dig up, recover and find again the life of the Kingdom and Jesus' community. It's not about success, size of buildings, budget, attendance or 'salvations.' It's about being faithful to live the alternative lifestyle of JESUS CHRIST in the world again.

I was reading a book the other day and the author told a story about a guy named Don he had randomly met at Starbucks. The guy was a non-practicing Catholic with a wife who hated God and demonized organized religion. The author asked the guy, 'So if Christianity was only about finding a group of people to live life with, who openly shared their search for God and allowed anyone, regardless of behavior, to sit at the table, and who collectively lived by faith to make the world a little more like Heaven, would you be interested?'

That sinner, Don, said: 'Hell, yes. Are there churches like that?'

Yes, Don. There are.

And be blessed.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I found the descriptions curious. My story is not so typical. I am not a typical churchgoer, but the definitions put me in more in a attractional category. I believed before I began to get involved in church. And I first came to KFA all alone. It WAS my involvement in KFA that helped me grow. Your kindness was very influential for me. You always realized that I am on a journey, but as a fellow believer, you always challenged my self-centered ways and bad habits. Some of which I still struggle with.

To be honest, I felt as if I was transformed to be more like Christ when there was more going on at church. I feel less connected lately. Belonging doesn't help me believe...I do believe...that is a certainty. But belonging keeps me strong. I am far more transformed when I have a community to interact with. I am sure that many, maybe even you, would say I should rely more on God and less on others. I need both...but that's just me. Eveyone is different. I need community and I need to serve...it makes me feel useful in the Kingdom. Sharing my time, love and energy makes me feel most like Jesus.

I really do think it makes a tremendous difference when people feel they can come as they are. It took me quite a while to believe that it was ok. People do seem to be so "together" on the outside, but my involvement was limited to serving and occasional small group life.

I'm curious. How do you feel that KFA is helping the people who go there to become more Christlike and to disciple them? I see this blog as one way....but what are the other ways? What ways do you believe would be most effective? How do we, as a church, move from coming as you are (which new people will be coming in all of the time) to transformation? You said before in a sermon that we need to change our hearts. How do we make that happen, in order to make better choices and be more Christlike? I think I am a loving person, but I don't feel like one of the saints. I feel flawed. Can believers come as they are to KFA, too?

PK's BLOG said...

There are numerous ways KFA helps people be discipled. There are Discipleship Small Groups available with deeply connected, spiritual, Godly, wise teachers instructing in the Word every single Sunday morning and Wednesday night.

Involvement in a small group where you can learn from other believers is a strong route to discipleship. Most people give up after trying one or two or even three or more small groups - they shouldn't. Small group life is tricky, but worth the persistence until you land in one that works.

Digging deeper take-home pages from Sundays is how believers continue to self-feed. The weekend service and the pastor-up-front is not the only and eventual avenue to personal growth. Believers need to learn to feed themselves so they don't rely on a 30 minute message every weekend.

Serving in the community is another great way to disciple yourself. It is at the heart of who JESUS is and should be at the heart of who we are.

Those are some ways we do it.

Lastly, you are a saint if you belong to Christ. It makes no difference (how many times shall I say this) how you feel about it. You simply are. Saints do not act 'saintly' all the time. You're in process, like the rest of us.

Anonymous said...

I haven't yet seen the class schedule for Wed nights. I will have to check that out. I used to go to a great class on Wed., so it will be worth a look.

I know you all talk about small groups continously, but it is like pulling teeth to get into one. I know there is someone in charge of that. If it is a priority, then it should be to the church, as well, if you really want people to change. Sorry...

I will say, I found the most wonderful small group, but they have changed locations to Racine from Kenosha, so we'll see about that one. I hate to give it up, since it so hard to get into one.

I think I rely on the church an awful lot to provide service opportunities. Probably too much, I suppose. I love serving....and I will go to First Step next Sat. I miss it. I wish there was more to do.

Are believers held to a much higher standard than the rest? It seems like it. You've certainly challenged me enough... It's ok...I need it. :)

And I will admit it...I don't even think about the Digging Deeper guide. I forget it's there. I do read the notes often though. I end up saving them for months and rereading them. And I frequently listen to sermons over. It helps me a lot to recall key points of the sermons.

BTW, no matter how much you feel as if you are banging your head against a wall, you will never get me to forget how I feel about things. I've always been this way... I can't see myself changing. You get choked up often enough during sermons, that I believe you can grasp that.

PK's BLOG said...

We have never said that one person should be the bottleneck to 2,000 people getting in small groups. It is not practical, nor is it the best way for placement. That said, our 'someone in charge' has placed scores of people - literally - into small groups successfully. But she can't do it all. It isn't possible.

Small groups are best done organically. Make a friend and start a group. Don't rely on us to place you with 10 other strangers that you may or may not like.

You can't see yourself changing? Look in a mirror. It's already happened. And yet will more.

Anonymous said...

PK..once before when I had a larger apt, I suggested starting or at least hosting one and was discouraged. That was back right after KFA stopped having classes for leadership. Now I am in a studio and it is not feasible for me. Are there requirements to starting one? There used to be.

I do love the people in my small group now. They are outstanding. More than likely, I will stick with it.

Lol...touche'...yes, I truly have changed...you're right about that. You have had someting to do with that...so thank you. I still feel things deeply, though. For people, too. :)

PK's BLOG said...

Well, if you're in a small group you love and plan to stick with it, why are you complaining so about it all?
LOL

Anonymous said...

Lol...never mind. We each made our points, as usual. I don't really want to drive to Racine, but I may never find such a special group of people.

Sorry I am such a thorn in your side...lol. You know I love ya...

Anonymous said...

When I lived in Kenosha County and attended KFA, I can remember wandering from one small group to another one fall, when someone drug me into one of Andrea's classes on a strange pretext. One of the most awesome experiences of my life. Andrea Davis is an exceptional woman with a heart for God and an awesome way with prayer! Thanks Andrea, and all of KFA, for the deeper realities you all showed me while I lived there.