Monday, April 26
“in”, “to”, “with”, “for”…
We returned from the Exponential Conference a couple of days ago…my mind continues to swirl (‘swirl’ doesn’t seem like a strong enough word though) with thoughts and ideas that I heard in workshops and main sessions. (For me this year, the workshops ‘brought’ so much more…)Let me try and sort through the ‘swirl’ by laying out some of these thoughts…
In a workshop by Kirsten Strand & Mary Nelson entitled “Church Based Community Transformation”, they spoke of 3 approaches to church and community:
1- Church “in” the community (Fortress)
2- Church “to” the community (Savior)
3- Church “with” the community (Partner)
Obviously, those thoughts lead me to asking the questions…’As Crossings, which are we?’, ‘Can you be more than one of those at a time?’, ‘Should you be more than one?’, etc.And then I heard Matt Carter, (Workshop entitled: “The Church for the City”) tell the story of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, led by Charles Spurgeon in 1853 who declared “We’re going to be a church FOR the city”, and I’m trying to figure out what exactly does that mean…and how does that tie into Mary & Kirsten’s thoughts… And, of course, I ask the question then: Are we (Crossings) a church FOR the city?
So, ‘in’, ‘to’, ‘with’, ‘for’…which ones, how much, what does that look like?
I know questions are a good thing...but my head hurts...
Mark Nelson at 7:54 AM 1comments
1 Comments
-
at 7:54 PM
said... Great thoughts Mark!
I think of the first three "in", "to", and "with" that the church is all three. I think if you reflect on your church that you would find that Crossings has strength in one or two of those areas as most probably do. This is an excellent place to be as the observation even if lacking could cause great growth for individuals and community. If your community is strong in all three areas then you are likely in a place that is very special!
Now "for" is another matter as it is requires more. "For" likely requires more prayer, more time, and more focus on events and actions that are way more uncomfortable than immediately rewarding. To be "for" the city requires that you have a focus and a broken spirit for people and places outside of your walls. I would guess that you have to be excellent at the first three and then find yourself reading those statements with emphasis on the word community not the word church to know you were a "For" kind of place.
Happy Swirling!