He said that researchers have basically known for 25 years or more that the "Congregational" model of doing church has been slowly, consistently, but almost assuredly losing it's effectiveness. The congregational model is basically the way that 99.9% of churches function and operate. His point with this statement was simply to declare that we MUST continue to be innovative and creative in how we will "BE" the church in the coming generations. The old model simply will not work effectively enough to sustain itself for much longer in an increasingly post-Christian and anti-Christian culture in the USA. This is simply one of the great challenges that face churches, pastors, leaders and Christians today! We can no longer fear the reaction of our congregations to change! We have no choice! Be transformed back into the outward-focused movement that was the 1st Century Church or die a slow and ineffective death.
The other statment Barna made was something like this: "You achieve what you measure". He went on to say that for far too long we have measured only numbers (attendance, giving, square footage) and paid very little attention to measuring the transformation of people. He is not suggesting that we not keep track of any numbers. That would be or could be irresponsible. What he is suggesting is that we stop making those measurements our first priority when assessing success and failure at our mission. He is suggesting that measuring transformation in people will drive us to be more effective and thus produce all the numbers we want (my words, not Barna's)! So here are what George Barna called the "10 Stops on the Journey of Transformation". An intersting statistical note before you read through them: 89% of all Chrisitans in the USA never get beyond stop 5. They never grow or deveolop beyond the point of salvation.
- Ignorance of sin: Non-believing people don't even realize that sin exists in their lives.
- Indifference to sin: Non-believing people grow to understand the concept of sin but are indifferent to it. They don't know they should be concerned about it and do something about it.
- Concern for sin: Non-believing people become concerned that sin exists in their lives. They begin to search for the answer to the question, "What should I do about this sin?"
- Understand a Need for Forgiveness: Their concern for sin becomes a need to be forgiven by Someone capable of forgiving sin. They find Jesus to be the only One capable of this forgiveness.
- Embrace Grace & A Need to Grow in Faith: This is the point of salvation. They recieve grace and begin to grow as a follower of Jesus Christ.
- Spiritual Discontent: After salvation and an understanding of God's grace, the nice, comfortable, safe Christianity that is typically taught no longer satisfies. They long for more and are discontent with a faith that doesn't challenge and change them or other people.
- Brokenness: They begin to realize that they cannot change the world on their own. They need God, His power and the rest of His people to do it and are broken by their limitations and inadequacies.
- Surrender & Submission: As their brokenness takes it's toll on them they throw their hands in the air and cry out "I surrender"! In the Church of God, this is the point which we used to call being "sanctified". Surrendering all of who we are, our will, our desires, our lives to God and His purposes.
- Profound Love for God: Having surrendered and submitted to God's will, love and grace, a deep, intimate and profound love for Him develops.
- Profound Love for Other People: It is only after understanding and receiving God's amazing grace and love that we can extend that love to others! This is God's mission in the world! For all people to know, receive and share the love of God through Jesus Christ!
In His Grip,
Pastor John
