Fifteen years ago I was speaking in Australia on what it means to live missionally. One person raised his hand and said, “Our church structures don’t allow us to do what you’re talking about.” I responded, “If your church structures keep you from following what Jesus said to do, then throw your church structures out.” If that’s the case, then we need to make some radical adjustments. But is it really an either-or? In most cases, there really is no law against loving people or taking time to build relationships with your neighbor, serving in a recovery community, volunteering at a school. You can choose to live missionally regardless of what others are doing.
good reminder bob. craig van gelder wrote:
church is.
church does what it is.
church organizes what it does.
i’m encouraged today by those seeking to restructure their organizations to actually meet the goal and vision they feel called to. it’s a good place when we realize it can be done and we’re willing to make the necessary tweaks (or even revamping).
while it’s true it’s up to us to live on mission, as leaders, it’s our responsibility to create this trajectory… whatever it looks like. it’s a fun time to be in church leadership.
Most churches are good at taking a certain type of Christian only so far. Those who don’t fall into that catagory and who want to go farther will need to take matters into their own hands. If you want to be missional then be missional and stop complaining that your church is not missional.