GOING-FORWARD

None of us is immune or unfamiliar with criticism. I'm planning a message for some time in the near future on turning criticism into blessing. Stay tuned for that.

But as most people as well as pastors know (pastors are actually people, if you didn't realize that), complaints and criticism range from sensible to incoherent.

Church is too boring.

It's too entertaining.

It's too shallow.

It's too intellectual.

It's too emotional.

It's too sterile.

It's too loud.

It's too soft (believe it or not, I heard that one this week).

It's too modern.

It's too traditional.

It's too passive.

It's too active.

It's too inward-focused.

It's too outward-focused.

It's too long.

It isn't long enough.

It's too demanding.

It's too easy.

You name it. We've heard each of these at some point.

In the church-going-forward, complaints will continue, because humans are simply chronic complainers. But there will be a difference. In the church-going-forward, the mission will be the arbiter of the conflict. Will this help us achieve our mission better ... or not?

During my nearly thirty years in professional church life, we have tirelessly repeated one mistake: we have argued over methods, as if old methods were the problem and sparkling new ones will solve everything.

Unfortunately, if the method ever was the problem, it will in itself become the problem sooner or later (probably sooner) when another newer method is needed to replace it. This is nothing more than the Parable of the Wineskins being replayed again and again.

So the church-going-forward must be accustomed to and welcome to change. For instance, a certain kind of small group may be all the rage for several years but it will eventually reach its potential and then become incapable of holding the new wine. There is a new kind of group - or service - or program - or prayer meeting - or class - that will take its place. Worship will evolve. Student ministry will experience ebbs and flows.

In another example, a church of 45 people feels silly trying to put on the 'professional, front-focused' program that would be perfectly expected in a church of 1,500. So the small church's environment practically screams for informality. But if the informality is actually effective, soon the church will grow to 85 and then 125 and then 275 - and after time, that same informality will no longer be so attractive because it has reached a size where that same informality is no longer conducive to growth. The church will have to morph to something that better suits its size.

The church-going-forward won't just trade one, hallowed tradition for an alternative hallowed tradition. It will accept the truth that no one tradition will serve and satisfy forever. In the old world, that cycle might have been 150 years. In the new world, it may be 5 years - or 5 months.

So we must continue clarifying our mission - making it easy to find and experience God - and adjusting in order to achieve that mission.

And be blessed.