Transforming Church

In the broader or world view we see secularization moving further and further from Christ and His mission. Religion struggles in that undercurrent with its wannabe successors: science, capitalism, consumerism and others. That struggle is collectively being fought by denominationalism, including “non-denominational.” The public battleground is political as we see it played out in all arenas, the contenders becoming national rivals. This form of religion at its best addresses the dignity of all human beings, similar to what can be seen in humanism.

But politics only moves the pieces on the chessboard. To politically pursue religious objectives, even within the church, breeds a marginal overconfidence that compromises the advancement of Christ’s mission. Not to be confused with religion, the focus of disciples of Jesus Christ is on spirituality because it changes lives. Though politics may want to embrace it, the much different spirituality is characterized instead by rebirth, transformation, excitement and passion.

God given faith, often mistaken as being passive, is a source of warmth that can overpower the flames of destruction. More than one of Jesus’ apostles struggled with this near the end of His earthly ministry. Those who aligned themselves with zealots were at the forefront, apostles like Judas and Simon (not Peter), but all of them struggled with the desire for a political Messiah, a path that the quieter confidence of Christ would not even flirt with.

Those of us who have championed the guiding principles of the 16th Century Reformation echo one Lord, one baptism, and one faith. Grace alone, faith alone and scripture alone. I subscribe to all of these, but the Achilles’ heel in that is the role of scripture, the Bible. All denominations cite the Bible continuously, extremists most of all, in advocating their beliefs, each significantly different than the other and each insisting on their perspective on God’s truth. Those outside of denominations or “organized faith” who witness this languish in confidence that the Church will ever have anything to offer them.

There is danger when we place too much trust in a more independent, autonomous relationship with God. We easily find ourselves on a different path than His. With the world changing at an ever greater pace, this fault stands out even more. That God is calling us to change with Him, to renew and thereby strengthen the relationship we share with Him, is the constant pinpoint focus of true discipleship and spirituality.

In the presiding bishop’s column in the June, 2008 issue of “The Lutheran,” Mark Hanson said, “I realize that it is not up to me to resolve the tension between being spiritual and being religious. The simple remedy is Jesus, whose Spirit was open to those outside the boundaries of conventional wisdom.” Bishop Hanson further wrote:

The distinction between being religious and being spiritual is common among people who are acquainted intimately with the grief of betrayal unmasked in others and themselves. It is often born out of a deep longing to experience the presence of God’s mercy when the people of God have seemed without mercy.

When I cease being defensive or dismissive and let the conversation shift from “religious” to “spirituality,” I am reminded of the gifts that each person has to share. As it turns out, our best gifts are not the things we often get so wrapped up in – bricks and mortar, programs and projects, lists of activities and weekly calendars. It is the spirit and the fruit of the Spirit’s life in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).

As much as we have succeeded in member making, we have tragically failed in disciple making. And if we unfortunately get better at member making it continues to build strong religion, to what end often consciously unknown and sometimes even suspicious. Disciple making on the other hand is an unending transformation into servanthood with Jesus Christ, without the objective of strengthening the institutional congregation. At stake here is the next chapter with Martin Luther’s visible and invisible church.

Religion puts so much emphasis on the institutional congregation we have all but abandoned many significant responsibilities. Most obvious is the family. Scripture clearly sees the family as the basic social unit in society, not the congregation. It is here that faith formation needs to happen, and yet most of our families today don’t even discuss faith matters.

Not to oversimplify a solution, but it would be a start if we helped families rediscover a more familial tradition of creatively celebrating faith-filled holidays in the home. This change would fit other aspects of modern living, in which people say, “I see the need to take control of my life. I exercise, I eat healthy.” Why can’t we add to that picture “I do the same thing with ways to shape my family’s awareness of God in their lives?”

As long as we try to do these things with members whose focus in on religion, congregations will keep coming off the rails. Until we essentially abandon the basis of membership in favor of discipleship, we will not fully experience the energy of Christ’s mission. Only organic things have the DNA of multiplication within them. There is nothing organic about being members of congregations. Those who are gardeners understand the principle of fractals, where new things are constantly growing, multiplying, out of what is already there.

Any attempt to dress a member in the clothing of a disciple will be as effective as trying to force a square peg through a round hole. First move “membership” out of conscious view. Then with the assistance of the Holy Spirit grow and multiply true disciples. You will then see them fractal, multiply, into leaders, even fractal, multiply into more congregations, and who knows what beyond that. Position yourself solidly within the mission of Christ instead of sheepishly continuing to live the stalemate of the last half century. Do this and you will be letting go of being religious and welcoming the full excitement and passion of spirit-filled servanthood. You will witness and experience the mission of Christ moving forward.