The typical American Christian is suffering from "affluenza"
If you're not familiar with this term, you've probably not watched US news lately (not that it's all that great and worth watching, by the way!). There's a kid whose accused of murder and his attorney's case is built on the fact that his well-to-do parents gave him everything he wanted and expected nothing from him. He is claiming that this young man is suffering from a bad case of affluenza and he should not be held responsible for his irresponsible behavior.
When I look at the consumer-centric model of Western church life today, it smacks of spiritual affluenza. The church leadership and the big services do all the work of ministry for the members, and all they need to do is be a faithful volunteer and keep the engine running smoothly with some money from their paycheck.
The level of ownership of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sharing that Gospel message is definitely something every small groups pastor and lead pastor wants the members of their small groups to do... but they don't grab the baton and run with it. After a lot of hard work and probably a corporate push with a church-wide campaign, the leaders are left scratching their heads over why every effort to educate and mobilize small group members falls short.
I know I'm harping on various aspects of the big-box church in America, but it's where a majority of people are finding a affluenza-infested relationship with a church and God that doesn't require much. This is creating a house of cards that won't stand up to persecution, which is coming.
If you're reading this, don't let your small group members think that showing up is good enough. Ask each person who they are praying for to receive Christ and how often they're praying for that person and spending quality time with them. Be the "pebble in their shoe" to do what every believer should do naturally!
Showing posts with label consumerism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label consumerism. Show all posts
Is the Cell Church about Control?
Outsiders reading about the model and proponents of other small group models (those models that are far more attractional for consumer Christians) often think: "The cell model is controlling. We don't want that here."
This could not be further from the truth. Cell based churches provide the cell group environment and supportive coaches for cell leaders TO PROTECT them as they go about their missional calling. In every cell church I have researched and visited around the world, no one is forced to be a member of a group or a certain group. No group is forced to multiply either. Group closure? Groups in these churches are rarely closed by leadership because of the damage it does to the individual members and the leader.
Now when a leader is found in sin and unrepentant, they're moved out of their role until they begin to walk with Christ in that area of their life instead of run their own way and direction. But this should happen in any model of church life found on this planet (although it's rare).
NOTE: While some second generation G-12 model churches have become very controlling and even cult-like in their practices, one must not throw the cell church movement baby out with this dirty bathwater—and it is indeed dirty bathwater! I am no fan of what a few of the sons and daughters of Cesar Castellanos are doing in their own churches or modeling for others to follow.
Exoskeleton vs. Endoskeleton = Control vs. Protection
I have a marine aquarium in my office, which I've maintained myself for fifteen years. In it, I have fish and corals. The fish are all endoskeleton creatures, with their supportive structure in the middle and unprotected flesh on the outside. My hard stony corals are just the opposite. The flesh is in the inside and peeks out of bits of the outer skeleton.
Endoskeleton animals grow their bones to a certain point and stop growing. Exoskeleton creatures can continue to add the exterior protective and structural support to any size possible!
If your concept for church structures is birthed out of an endoskeleton paradigm (by first creating the structure and then inviting people to attach themselves to it) you will view the cell model as controlling. And it will be if you maintain this mindset.
However, if you think about cell groups and cell group oversight like protective exoskeletal structure for missional living that is already in existence, it becomes protective and opens up an unlimited plan of expansion.
So let me ask you a pointed question: Have you been thinking about cell groups and cell ministry like a fish or a coral?
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This could not be further from the truth. Cell based churches provide the cell group environment and supportive coaches for cell leaders TO PROTECT them as they go about their missional calling. In every cell church I have researched and visited around the world, no one is forced to be a member of a group or a certain group. No group is forced to multiply either. Group closure? Groups in these churches are rarely closed by leadership because of the damage it does to the individual members and the leader.
Now when a leader is found in sin and unrepentant, they're moved out of their role until they begin to walk with Christ in that area of their life instead of run their own way and direction. But this should happen in any model of church life found on this planet (although it's rare).
NOTE: While some second generation G-12 model churches have become very controlling and even cult-like in their practices, one must not throw the cell church movement baby out with this dirty bathwater—and it is indeed dirty bathwater! I am no fan of what a few of the sons and daughters of Cesar Castellanos are doing in their own churches or modeling for others to follow.
Exoskeleton vs. Endoskeleton = Control vs. Protection
I have a marine aquarium in my office, which I've maintained myself for fifteen years. In it, I have fish and corals. The fish are all endoskeleton creatures, with their supportive structure in the middle and unprotected flesh on the outside. My hard stony corals are just the opposite. The flesh is in the inside and peeks out of bits of the outer skeleton.
Endoskeleton animals grow their bones to a certain point and stop growing. Exoskeleton creatures can continue to add the exterior protective and structural support to any size possible!
If your concept for church structures is birthed out of an endoskeleton paradigm (by first creating the structure and then inviting people to attach themselves to it) you will view the cell model as controlling. And it will be if you maintain this mindset.
However, if you think about cell groups and cell group oversight like protective exoskeletal structure for missional living that is already in existence, it becomes protective and opens up an unlimited plan of expansion.
So let me ask you a pointed question: Have you been thinking about cell groups and cell ministry like a fish or a coral?
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Video Interview, Part 1
Just finished up a video interview through the various chapters of my book. Do pass this youtube video link along to others to get the word out about my book if you're a fan....
Is the American church pandering to consumers?
You tell me. This is what one megachurch in South Texas did to attract the unchurched on Easter Sunday this year...
I am speechless. I bet you have a something to share about this one way or another.
Comments?
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I am speechless. I bet you have a something to share about this one way or another.
Comments?
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