What Should Churches Be Doing?
I haven’t read the book Radical yet. It’s on my reading list and I expect that I won’t like it. Why? Because I expect that I will not be able to read it and remain comfortable. However, I have an idea of what is going on in the book after reading an interview with the author, David Platt. Follow this link and see what you think.
What this interview made me wonder is what are we are doing in our churches. I’m not talking about my church. Or your church. Or someone else’s church. I’m talking about all of our churches. I talk to a lot of people who go to church. I’m always interested in what is going on. I come away wondering how many of us are playing games and how many churches are just really doing nothing to build God’s kingdom and Christ’s church (a small disclaimer: He is doing the work, I’m just a tool). What are we doing in our churches?
Here is what Platt’s church is doing. Other churches are picking up on it and adapting it to their situation and their community. It is really simple, which is one of the things that is attractive about it. Here is what Pastor Platt is leading his church to do:
- Pray for the world
- Read through the Bible
- Sacrifice money for a specific purpose
- Spend time in another context.
- Commit their lives to a multiplying community
Some may scoff at this and say that is what their church should be doing anyway. I agree. But then why aren’t most of our churches doing these things? That is perhaps the topic for another post. But imagine if our churches were doing these things: Spending time in prayer and the word of God, giving money to help others, spending time in other areas, and building a growing community.
There is one common denominator in all five of these areas that Platt’s church is focusing. They are looking outward rather than inward. They are focusing on others and not themselves.
Folks, does that hit you as hard as it hits me? What should churches be doing? Why aren’t churches doing it? Stay tuned for part two.
I do hope I am not stepping on part two by this; but, this is what hit me as I pondered what you had written here in part 1. Spending time to identify the right question is more valuble than actually answering the wrong question. I would say that ‘what should your church be doing?’ is the wrong question. It is wrong (again, IMHO) because the anticipated answer is a list of ‘things’ like the 5 you list here for Platt’s church. The right question is: is your church following the head?
A church can decide to do a lot of good things (e.g., pray for the world, read through the Bible, etc.) because they are following men or women in their midst who are ‘leaders.’ (Not necessarily spiritual leaders, however.) But, has the pastor actually taught the body how to hear and respond to what the Holy Spirit is actually directing them to do? Of course, if the pastor can’t relate to this, then the answer is obvious.
I think we are thinking along the same lines
Excellent reply David. I have read Radical and will guarantee you not only will you be made uncomfortable, you will NOT be able to look at your life the same. Conviction is a good thing and this book offers the vehicle for the HS to dish up a heaping dose of it. You are on the money about the focus. The depth of the focus is truly where it’s at though. Many people think they and their church are all ready doing these things. We think we are giving money to needs. Once attended a church business meeting where it was announced proudly that there was $7,000 given that YEAR in benevolence and hallelujah we have $5 million in the building fund! Needless to say that was our last day at that church. We as a society are clueless. We build these ridiculous buildings like we’re following Kevin Costner’s dream… “Build it and they will come.” This is not Field of Dreams… we’re dealing with life and death, eternally! Every week people gather for prayer meetings. Someone in the group will ask for prayer for the lost but the majority, it’s all about our health issues and woes. While we should be praying for that, it is a fact that we are all going to die. If we belong to the Lord, that’s actually a good moment. So why do we spend so much time praying for our health? What about the sick and dying who do not know the Lord? Their health issues are very dire. They will not live eternally in the presence of the Lord. They will be eternally LOST, no hope for redemption.
We think we reach out to the community through events like “Friends and Family Day” but that makes no effect on their life, that is merely giving them a friendly free lunch and a nice pep talk.
As for reading through our Bibles, many people claim to read it but honestly, the lack of knowledge blows my mind. Sitting in church having to help a long time member find the book of Exodus was alarming. There is only one person I have ever met that said, “I know I need to read my Bible but I always forget and leave it in the car.” He was honest, but evidence is that there are many others who have a Bible sitting in their car, ready for church but it never enters their home.
As David remarked, churches can decide “to to do a lot of good things (e.g., pray for the world, read through the Bible, etc.) because they are following men or women in their midst who are ‘leaders.’ ” The congregations, as well as the ‘leaders,’ have forgotten who the REAL leader is. We plan so many events and programs without ever asking if this is the direction the Lord would have us go. When was the last time the leadership met to pray of whether to even hold Vacation Bible School? Every year, we gather and ask the Lord to bless OUR efforts without once determining if that is a program HE desires. Kids are being saved so why wouldn’t it be HIS desire? Right? We have forgotten salvation is HIS business, not ours. Our fun programs do not save. WE do not save.
I don’t want to give away tomorrows part 2….but it’s not about doing.