I often think that we ask the wrong questions about 95% of the time. We look at a problem, we see our life, we ask our questions, but we never ask "Am I asking the right questions?" At least I know all to well that I often ask the wrong questions!
"There is a way that seems right to a person, but in the end it leads to death"
Proverbs 14:12
This morning I was thinking about the process of church renewal. Virtually all churches, in all places, think that the next leader will be able to "make a difference" and bring back the "glory days." Unfortunately, the definition of making a difference and glory days is not concrete or settled for anyone. This leads to conflict, struggle, and ultimately a lack of fruitfulness.
The above paragraph is easy to understand and affirm. A lack of clarity in vision causes conflict. O.K. But I am thinking today about why we have a lack of clarity in vision. We know we need to grow and experience renewal, so why do we struggle so much to pull it off? Why does the process of renewal often cause conflict and pain?
We ask the wrong question or questions.
So often and so easily, we can blame the previous pastor or the leadership team. We blame the people who left. We blame the conflict and personalities that led to the conflict. We blame our culture and how it no longer values the gospel and Church. We blame ... (you fill in the blank).
Rarely do individuals and almost never do churches confess, "We must be doing something wrong."
I guess it is human nature and the nature of organizations composed of fallen humans. We want someone to fix it, but we don't think we broke it. We blame someone else.
Our real problem with most churches is that we are doing something or most often many things wrong. We like the way things are and we want our new pastor, our new members, and our changing culture which we are trying to reach to see how right we are and join us. Then we are surprised when it does not happen!
As churches (and individuals) we should ask often "What are we doing wrong that turns off new people to the gospel before they hear it?" "Why are we in conflict over the same issues time and time again?" "What are we doing wrong?"
While it goes totally against our nature, we need to stop the blame game toward others and start with the blame game toward ourselves. As Jesus put it,
"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ... You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
Matt. 7: 3, 5
What does this look like in real life? Most often church renewal will not come by merely changing the leadership and doing the same things a little harder. The reason renewal is needed is because we are doing what we doing. We need to honestly, reflectively, and consistently ask, "Is what we are doing advancing the Kingdom by helping people grow deeper in the grace and by bringing new people to faith so they can grow deeper in grace?"
If not, we need to do something different.
Within my own denomination, some think this means that we have a theology problem. I fiercely disagree. Our Continental Reformed theology is biblical and solid. It is not the problem. In fact, I believe when it is properly understood and lived, it is the solution!
No, the problem is our practices, our worship style, our way of relating, our church power structures, our ways of handling conflict, etc. etc. We codify and then maintain systems and styles that have nothing to do with theology. In fact, many of our practices actually run counter to our stated theology!
We need to ask different questions. What are we doing that is wrong? We caused this mess, what can we do to change the structures and systems that perpetuate it?
Even with these proper questions, change is hard. Yet, without asking the right questions, we will not change for the better. O for the grace to repent and believe in the living Christ even for our churches!
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