CALLED OUT

Someone rightly corrected me not long ago in this blog about my wrong usage of 'ekklesia' - rather than a 'gathering' or 'assembly,' I described it as 'called out ones.' Egg on face there. Admittedly.

That said, we ARE 'called out.' Christ-followers in churches that are dying believe the 'called out' part means 'called out' to form a distinct society in which all the members follow certain rules, undertake various institutional responsibilities and enjoy specific privileges. The organization becomes a club to which they can each retreat for personal refreshment and in which their needs can be met by a personal chaplain.

The attitude is usually: 'Let's take care of our members first, then, with any resources left over we'll go after the lost.'

No.

Christ-followers in churches that are growing believe they have been 'called out' to form a distinct witness. This witness is about Jesus, not about their church or their denomination. They see themselves as a community in which the participants all experience a constant connection with Christ and purposely reach out as His body.

We can either become a righteous remnant, retreating into caves and fortresses of elitism, preserving what we understand to be 'good' worship, 'pure' doctrine, 'correct' theology, shutting ourselves in spiritual Masadas, where we eventually choose to die rather than surrender --- OR --- we can become an apostolic witness, following Paul, Silas, Lydia and others like them into public places and personal conversations, sharing a relationship with Jesus that bears the fruits of abundant life, and transform our surrounding culture one conversation at a time.

'Let's take care of our members first, then, with any resources left over, we'll go after the lost.'

Participants in a declining congregation are: Committed to an organization -- managing committees -- preoccupied with raising money -- retiring from church work -- surveying internal needs -- eager to know everybody -- first and foremost loyal to one another -- perpetuating a heritage.

Participants in a thriving congregation are: Committed to Christ -- making disciples -- serving in the world -- pursuing constant personal growth -- sensitizing themselves to community needs -- drawn to the unchurched -- visioning a future.

Pick one.

And be blessed.