On Thursday, we discussed both the introduction and first chapter of Power Surge. The chief concern of the chapter was to map out where the "membership" model of church (the model we all grew up with) came from and to distinguish this model from the "discipleship" model. For the membership model, the primary focus is inward: to serve the needs of the members of the church. The members "pay their dues" and "get their spiritual services." The discipleship model has its primary focus outward. The goal is to help each person to develop their relationship with God. The focus is that every member really is a minister, and the focus is outward toward the community and the world.
John talked about how this model was implemented in a Boston area church. They wanted more members, increased giving and more volunteers for boards and committees. The pastor did all these things, and there was a great upsurge in all categories. Then, these increases faded away. It was clear a new model was needed. They realized that their concerns about members, volunteers and money were not the main issue. That sign of success is based upon a secular business model. The real success in a church is the spiritual depth of its members. They needed to "seek first the Kingdom of God" and all the other things would be given to them. They adopted the model, and the church found itself revitalized, and is now thriving.
This model requires change, and does not happen overnight. It requires patience and faithfulness. But the benefits are powerful.
We talked about where we are at First Church on the continuum between memership model and discipleship model. We saw ourselves somewhere in the middle. The church use to be very much in the membership model. Over the past few years of transition, we have made great strides. The church already has many great ways that it develops member's spiritual lives, and many ways it focuses outward toward real mission.
We also talked about how the discipleship model was not so concerned with who is a member and who isn't, which has been a contentious issue in our past. Yet the discipleship model is also a "high expectations" model, where those in the community are strongly encouraged to practice the spiritual disciplines outlined in the book. Those who don't "get on board" are not shunned our thrown out of the church, but are constantly encouraged to engage in these practices.
We had a good discussion about how this model practically works in a church. The subject of our tradition of doing collations and how that might be different under the new model. Perhaps this is where being a member versus not being a member was most contentious. How would collations work under a discipleship model? Rather than being an obligation to meet the expectations of people, it would be a ministry of the church. If it is God's call that we do collations and it is consistent with the mission of the church, people would feel deeply that God is calling them to minister in this way. Collations would, then, emerge out of a spiritual life that is rooted in discerning God's will. This would be true for all other ministries of the church.
There seemed to be a good feeling for the potential of this model and how it could work in the church, yet the journey has just begun. Next week, we talk about "spiritual leadership" or how the pastor functions in a discipleship model. So read chapter 2, and come with your questions, comments and concerns. Or comment on this blog. Let the conversation continue!
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