Sports Fans Resist New Cheers

The Church Back Door

Chicago, IL - Fans of the Chicago Bulls are up in arms in the Windy City as new fans try to take over their team-rooting territory. Veteran Bulls fan, Joe Strpnkshewski, spoke to the Back Door about how traditional fans are being invaded:

“We’ve got a bunch of Starbucks drinking, iPad carrying, Sperry wearing people coming into our stadium these days and they don’t know the routine. They stand when you’re supposed to sit. They sit when you’re supposed to stand. They don’t know the cheers and don’t follow along like they’re supposed to. It’s a disruption! Who every heard of a person pulling up their ‘Bulls App’ when they’re supposed to be shouting the “Go Bulls!” chant? Whoever heard of talking to your neighbor when the PA announcer is giving the player stats? These people don’t value tradition. We don’t need them here.”

The Bulls ownership is taking these complaints very seriously. A statement from the Bulls’ front office indicated that the traditional/contemporary debate among fans has had a detrimental effect on the games. Some players have even noticed that more fans seem to be focused on the style of cheering they like than on the game itself. After a powerful slam dunk in a Bulls’ last second victory last week, fans were so distracted, they didn’t even acknowledge the heroic comeback of their team.

A new fan, asking to remain anonymous, commented: “Change is inevitable. Are we there to watch a game or to find comfort in our style of cheering?”

But Strpnkshewski wouldn’t back down: “I don’t care if they have to cancel the game and shut down the stadium. I’m cheering the way I’ve always cheered--even if I have to do it in an empty arena.

The Bulls hope that doesn’t become the case.

Lutheran Church Opposes Election

The Church Back Door

November 6, 2012 - 6:25 a.m.
The president of the Lutheran but Always Friendly Synod (LAFS) denounced today’s election in a news conference early this morning. The Rev. Rex P.L.W. Stuckworsch stated:

“I am aghast at the fact that our government is promoting election on this day--just four days before we celebrate Martin Luther’s birthday. In addition to our strong historical stance regarding predestination, our view that the government should not be involved in the free exercise of our faith must be upheld. I will be requesting congressional hearings regarding this flagrant interference of the state into matters of the church. The government has no right to declare this to be ‘election day’ before every nuance of what that really means can be sorted out.”

BREAKING NEWS 7:35 a.m.
After being informed that today’s election day has nothing to do with predestination, Rev. Stuckworsch clarified his press release statement:

“Never mind.”

Pew Maker Announces "My Worship" Modules

The Church Back Door

Thor, Iowa-- The Always Comfy Pew Company announced today that its newest line of pews, The AC VII line, will now contain “My Worship” modules. “My Worship” is a new technology that allows individual worshipers to worship in the style of their choice while sitting side by side.

Inconspicuous headphones are wirelessly connected with a small device inside each pew. The worshiper simply programs his or her worship style, favorite hymn, praise song, and worship service format into a handy keypad. When the time comes for music, each worshiper will hear his or her personal selections.

Project foreman Rusty Opus said, “After hearing how many people insist on their own worship style, we decided to meet the growing need in churches. With ‘My Worship,’ everybody can finally be happy.”

Opus hinted at the 2014 upgrade called “My Preacher,” but indicated that pastors were reluctant to allow their churches to serve as beta test sites.

LAFS Right-Sizes for Better Controls

The Church Back Door

Clarksdale, MS-- The Lutheran but Always Friendly Synod (LAFS) closed its convention last week with a bold move to zero in on its identity. The denomination based in Alligator, Mississippi voted to become a “synod under one roof” in order to maintain its mission and focus. The decision will “right-size” the denomination, according to Synod president, Rex P.L.W. Stuckworsch. He noted:

“Since its founding, our church body has tripled in size. Our ability to maintain alignment and unity has been severely tested. As I evaluated our current situation, I felt very strongly that we should back off a bit, retool, and make sure we’re on the right track before things get out of hand.”

LAFS has grown to three churches over the past 170 years. Stuckworsch will work with church leaders to bring all operations back into the founding congregation in Alligator. This “under one roof” approach will insure sound doctrine, a better “family” feeling in the church body, and sensible efforts if anyone decides to venture outside the congregations for ministry purposes.

“We don’t want to have greater control,” Stuckworsch added, “we just want to be practical and reasonable as we encounter the realities of the church and the world.”

After the gavel fell on October 15, President Stuckworsch began a 30-day summit conference with leaders of the Northern Polar Lutheran Church.

Stuckworsch said, “The northern ice cap is shrinking. With dwindling geography, it’s important that we talk about whether or not the church can continue.”

The meetings are being held in the central location of Oahu, Hawaii.

Lutheran Denomination Shuts Down Churches for Two Years

The Church Back Door

Clarksdale, MS-- The Lutheran but Always Friendly Synod (LAFS) voted 3-2 in convention today to shut down churches for the next two years. The small denomination based in Alligator, Mississippi is meeting in convention through October 15.

The church shut-down was, the convention emphasized, in the interest of expanding the work of the church.

Synod president, Rex P.L.W. Stuckworsch, commented:

“I was reading a theological work the other day and discovered a remarkable insight that our pastors need to understand. Because our pastors can’t make the claim to be expert theologians, the convention believed that, in the interest of the church, we close our congregations for two years, bring the pastors back to the seminary, and make sure they’re up to speed in this critical area of theological understanding.”

When asked what would happen to the churches, the LAFS President said:

“The churches will have to wait. This is a matter of utmost importance. Our administrative structure will continue, so we will still be able to receive offerings and continue our salary and benefits compensation. We do not, however, want to recklessly allow congregations or individual believers to proceed on their own. We know that it can be very dangerous to let the Scriptures fall into the hands of untrained theologians. I shudder to think of the errors in belief that might result from such carelessness.”

The LAFS convention is in the process of approving four key initiatives for the coming triennium: Organizing, Planning, Meeting, and Preparing.

“We have an exciting future ahead,” Stuckworsch noted. “We just have to make sure we get it right.”

In another development, LAFS approved the launching of a capital fund drive that will help finance the house payments of pastors while they are living at the Alligator, Mississippi Seminary campus beginning in January of 2013. The theme of the fund drive will be: “Gathering is Always Good” (GAG).

Citing the new capital fund theme initials, President Stuckworsch said, “I hope the world develops a ‘GAG’ reflex when it hears mention of our denomination!”

Lutheran Denomination Starts “Worship Tattoo” Program

The Church Back Door

Clarksdale, MS-- The Lutheran but Always Friendly Synod (LAFS) voted 3-2 in convention today to begin a “Worship Tattoo” program. The small denomination based in Alligator, Mississippi is meeting in convention through October 15.

The small and tasteful tattoos would be applied to the thumbs of each church member to help them navigate the new liturgical worship orders. The tattoos will serve as a “key” to worship order abbreviations and will be visible as church members hold hymnals and worship bulletins.

Synod president, Rex P.L.W. Stuckworsch, commented:

Church members have been showing signs of verbal stumbling as we worship, so we wanted to help make worship more user friendly. The tattoos will be simple: If “P” and “C” are together in a worship service, the “P” will stand for Pastor and the “C” will stand for Congregation. If “P” is printed with an “L,” the “P” will stand for People and the “L” will stand for Liturgist. If a “C” is combined with the “L” and the “P,” the “C” stands for Celebrant. If and “L” appears in the context of an elder helping at worship, the “L” stands for Leader. An “A” may stand for Assistant or All, but usually All is spelled out completely. Clearly, this is a helpful tool for our worshipers. In addition, we believe the tattoos will attract more young people to our churches because tattoos are really in style these days--and we’re going to be using a cool Gothic font!

President Stuckworsch followed his comments by quickly giving an enthusiastic “thumbs up” sign to display his newly inscribed thumbs complete with gothic lettering.

In another development, the Handbell Musicians of America, debuted new Worship Key-coded Handbell Gloves at a convention display booth.

Lutheran Denomination Endorses Model T

The Church Back Door

Clarksdale, MS-- The Lutheran but Always Friendly Synod (LAFS) voted 3-2 in convention today to endorse the Ford Model T as the preferred mode of transportation for both clergy and laity. The small denomination based in Alligator, Mississippi is meeting in convention through October 15.

With the bold move of a recent name change, convention observers (that’s me, your diligent reporter; there really were no other observers) were shocked at what seemed to be a backward move. Synod president, Rex P.L.W. Stuckworsch, commented:

"Our denomination values the legacy of time-tested transportation. The Model T was foundational in the development and growth of the automobile industry. One might say that the Model T is the 'true mode of transportation' for drivers both past and present. Recent cultural developments in the auto industry promote an 'entertainment' mentality for drivers and a lightweight approach to hitting the roads. Car communication systems, radios, and even glass windows show that drivers are watering down the truth of what an automobile was meant to be. We’re opposed to the departure from an historic approach to driving practice and spirit."

When asked about how the church members might respond to this vote--especially younger people, Stuckworsch replied:

"Three of the five delegates to the convention have operational Model Ts in their barns at the present time. One delegate is close to getting his running. We anticipate a seamless transition. We’ll also be offering classes and conferences that teach the sound conduct of Model T driving. Under the theme “Maintenance Together,” we’ll have breakout sessions on how to operate a crank start mechanism, folding window flaps quickly and efficiently, and a fun session called 'To Rumble or Not to Rumble: Facing the Rumble Seat Decision.' We believe these events will show young people that serious and true driving still exists. I have no doubt that serious and true young people will participate with joy."

After the vote, LAFS commissioned its publishing house (Alligator Press) to produce a new instructional and service manual for all Model T vehicles. It will be called the Lutheran Transportation Service Book (LTSB).

The Church Back Door 1

Lutheran Denomination Changes its Name

Clarksdale, MS-- A small and little known branch of the Lutheran Church based in Alligator, Mississippi recently changed its denominational name as it met in convention at Abe’s Bar-B-Q in Clarksdale. In its first order of business, The Lutheran Church Pret’ner only in Mississippi Synod (LCPMS) voted 3-2 to change its name to The Lutheran Always Friendly Synod (LAFS) to simplify its name and create a welcoming environment for newcomers.

Synod president, Rex P.L.W. Stuckworsch, commented: “The LCPMS name was confusing people and seemed to be limiting the accessibility of our fine organization. We believe the new name will open the door to new participation as well as continue our legacy for the theology we proudly study.”

The convention continues through October 15 and promises many new initiatives for this little Lutheran group. While consisting of only three congregations, the newly named LAFS takes pride in its enduring history and its active work to preserve the once thought lost Amalia, one of the five ships that departed Europe in 1839 with Saxon immigrants led by Rev. Martin Stephan. The group sought religious freedom. According to LAFS history, the Amalia arrived in New Orleans much later than the other four ships in its group. Some of the 60 Saxons on board made their way up the Mississippi River, but after tiring early and falling into a dispute over leadership and governance, settled in the small town of Alligator.

Four New Mission Attitudes

The church is craving to recover its Biblical pathway for being what Jesus created it to be. Wherever I go I hear, “How can we reach the youth?”, “We need to figure out how to reconnect with the community,” and “We’re slowly dying, but we don’t know what to do.”

People’s hearts are ready to consider a different way of doing church. Consider these Four New Mission Attitudes that I’ve observed flowing out of faithful Christian communities effectively reaching the lost:

1. LOOK BEYOND THE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY. Churches are realizing that their pool of participants is not merely inside the church; it is located throughout the community. People want to make a difference in the world but don’t know how. The church offers the greatest difference-making potential in the world. Looking to neighbors, friends, co-workers, and community leaders as participants in church efforts creates a non-threatening and welcome linkage to the body of Christ.

2. START WITH RELATIONSHIPS. Programs, mass mailings, announcements in the church bulletin, or appointing a committee to do the work are not what engage people. Relationships do. Entering into real relationships and letting the Holy Spirit chart the course will fuel a Kingdom movement. The place to start is your family. You calling is not to be the Savior of the world. That’s Jesus. Your calling is to reach the people God has placed around you and patiently let the Spirit build the Kingdom momentum one person at a time.

3. INVITE PEOPLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, NOT ATTEND A MEETING. People are tired of organizational gymnastics and time-wasting meetings. The way to connect with others is by inviting them to making a difference with you. 20% of the population values attending church. 90% of the population wants to make a difference. Invite people to do mission with you. Let the Spirit change their lives and lead them to a holy desire to gather.

4. TELL THE STORY. Our society is not very literate. 60% of college graduates will not read another book after graduation. Instead of making faith in Christ overly academic, it’s time to remember that our faith is a miraculous and exciting true story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It’s also the miraculous and true story of how Jesus has impacted you. This is really not rocket science. You don’t need a degree. Tell the story. Tell your story. And let the stories of grace cascade into a movement of lives transformed by the Spirit.

Is There More to Mission?

Implementing church programs can be a bit of a pain sometimes, can’t it? Sure, there are many benefits and blessings that come out of programs, but they require a lot effort, energy, and resources. They can dominate the allotted church service announcement time. They can even distract from the main thing as people get caught up in making the programs work.

I’ve heard mission described as a program that can become a nuisance. If everything is about mission, it’s been said, then people may water down real theology in order to boost numbers, promote extraneous activities to get people in the doors, and veer away from the truth so everyone can feel good about meeting people’s needs.

There’s just one problem here: the paragraph above doesn’t accurately describe mission. Mission is not a program.

Mission is the Latin word for the Hebrew “shalach” and the Greek “apostello.” It means “to send,” as in God sending Himself, sending people, sending prophets, sending disciples, sending the Word, and sending the Word made flesh, Jesus! This is no extraneous, time-frittering, church-growth-fad word. This is the core of God’s nature, revealed to us in the Bible. This is the ball game.

Without mission, there is no Word of God. Without mission, there are no sacraments. Without mission, there are no creeds. Without mission, there is no liturgy. Without mission, there are no Confessions. Without mission, there is no Church. Without mission, there is no life and salvation. Without mission, there is no hope.

As Georg Vicedom said in his classic book “The Mission of God”:

“The mission is work that belongs to God. This is the first implication of missio Dei. God is the Lord, the One who gives the orders, the owner, the One who takes care of things. He is the Protagonist in the mission. When we ascribe the mission to God in this way, then it is withdrawn from human whims…The mission, and with it the church, is God’s very own work. We cannot speak of ‘the mission of the church,’ even less of ‘our mission.’ Both the church and the mission have their source in the loving will of God” (pp.5-6).

If that is true, what human whims might we be putting above The Mission as we assert that The Mission is merely a human whim?

There is No God, Or is There?

Two recent changes in the nature of unbelief have taken hold in recent years.

First, the atheistic mindset has become more militant in nature. Characterized by people like Richard Dawkins, the assault against God and against believers in God has become vitriolic and insulting. Atheists are instructed to call believers fools and to dismiss them as unable to think or reason.

Second, people have stopped caring. The spiritual climate in our nation is dominated by apathy. It’s not unusual to encounter the thought: “God may or may not be around. Who cares?” People don’t even care much about atheists!

Do these two developments have any significance? Yes.

Militant atheism pushes people to live in denial and to think irrationally. Anger at God, life, religion, or the church that may drive atheistic rejection of God sends people into an detrimental way of life. It’s just not healthy to live in anger and denial. Furthermore, denying historical and eyewitness accounts of the supernatural and the miraculous leads people into inaccurate thinking. It’s bad science to ignore documented facts.

An apathetic attitude toward the Divine leads people to miss out on life. In addition to staying at arm’s length from the natural events of life, this apathetic approach robs people of the deeper mysteries of life.

What’s the answer? In a perfect world it would wonderful if everyone could engage in balanced thought and stimulating discourse about the possibility of the miraculous and supernatural. But this isn’t a perfect world.

So, the next alternative may actually be the best. It’s up to God to do the convincing. He’s the best One to prove Himself to a doubting world. He’s also the best candidate to pursue us when we don’t care.

Watch out. God has a track record of surprising a denying and slumbering world.

Why a Convention?

Around the LCMS, district conventions have taken place or will take place. The Texas District begins its convention on Thursday, June 21. Most comments I’ve heard about conventions recently haven’t been positive. I’ve heard it said that they’re “boring,” they’re “expensive” or “they don’t have any Kingdom significance.” Honestly, I’ve even thought similar things.

Years ago, as a new pastor, I visited with retired men who spoke much differently about church conventions. They commented about the wonderful fellowship, the joyful blessing of being together and worshipping together, and the unity of mission as decisions were made. Of course, not every convention was perfect, but these men who looked back to the 1950’s and earlier had a glimmer in their eyes as they remembered good days in the church.

Times have changed. Institutions and organizations are not very popular. Organic, grass-roots ministry is what people crave. But might we be forgetting something?

A number of years ago my family and I visited some missionary friends in a small village in West Africa. We didn’t go there to build a building. We didn’t go there to do a project. Our friends asked us to visit and just be there! We talked to people, met with village elders, prayed together, and hung out together. The result? A remarkable sense of mutual encouragement unfolded. I realized that I was in the middle of a remarkable ministry of “presence.” Being there meant so much to the people we met. Being there with the people we met meant so much to us. Genuine spiritual encouragement was happening. Undistracted by a list of tasks, the value of relationships took hold. A sense of the body of Christ became very real.

An African gentleman told me a while back that we Americans are terrible at relationships. That may mean that we are not reflecting the foundations of the early church when “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Maybe we need to be together a bit more--pulling our eyes away from screens (computer, cell phone, tablet, television), look into each other’s eyes, bear one another’s burdens, and lift up hands in prayer together.

Maybe that’s what the deeper value of a convention is. Please pray for the groups that gather this year, and for us in Texas. The powerful ministry of presence may advance God’s Kingdom more than we realize.

Are You Still Running?

I ran across some friends at the store the other day. I haven’t seen them in a while, so we spent some time getting caught up. They asked me a question almost everyone who hasn’t seen me in a while asks: “Are you still running?” It’s a question that contains these thoughts: “Are you really crazy enough to keep doing that?” “Haven’t you broken down yet after all those miles?” “Is this a short phase or long phase you’re going through in your life?” I’ve been running since 1977. It used to be a warm weather pastime for me, but in 1990, as I settled into lots of desk sitting, long meetings, and stressful situations, I knew I had to have regular cardiovascular activity in my life. In January 1991 I resolved never to miss a week of running. To this day I haven’t. I call it my “week streak.” I take rest days, but I never miss a week. So, when people ask me if I’m still running, it’s like asking if I’m still breathing or eating. I wonder if our perspective about being a disciple of Jesus is similar to the “Are you still running?” question. When I was growing up, discipleship had a cognitive emphasis. It was like math class: learn the facts, perform well on the academic exams, but don’t ask too much about how you’ll use this in real life. Discipleship, however, is not just a cognitive pursuit. Following Jesus is like breathing and eating; it’s every day, every moment, life. It’s a part of you. In relationship with Jesus and others, you are on mission together. Everything becomes saturated with the importance of knowing and showing Christ and the life He gives. It’s not just a “church” thing or a “Sunday School” thing; it is a life thing. This is something the world craves. People yearn to make a meaningful difference, and people need hope. That’s what Jesus gives. People aren’t craving cognitive discipleship; they crave action and meaning. What “life things” have become nonnegotiable components of your day-to-day existence? Is being a disciple one of them? Are you finding more people who will join you in the discipleship boom?

Will You Hear?

I used to think I lived in a quiet neighborhood. When we started taking care of my granddaughter I realized I was completely mistaken. We live in a cacophony of chaotic commotion! Trucks roar, weed-whackers whack, edgers whine, mowers growl, airplanes rumble, and sirens wail. Murphy’s Law made sure that all the sounds came together at just the right time to awaken my granddaughter from her nap. How did I miss the noise? It may be the same way I tune out the noise of life going on around me. Busyness and self-interest, my agenda and my ambition, lead me to miss the important noise of life around me. I can so easily resemble Jesus’ description of hardheaded sinners who tune God out: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand” (Matthew 13:13). What awakens me to hear, to really hear again? New life. The cry from the cross, the rumble of the opening tomb, the words: “Broken and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” rouse me to life and show me that God treasures His children. With ears unstopped by the touch of Jesus, His mandate: “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation” roars into my soul and enlivens me to hear God’s people and share His concern for them. In a span of only nine verses, Jesus uses the word “world” eleven times in John 17. The Greek word is “cosmos.” This term began as a word meaning “that which has been put into order, that which was adorned.” We translate it “world.” God sees it as his precious and beautiful handiwork of humanity. His concern is for the world. He hears His people and He cares. Will I? Will I live insulated in my own pursuits or will I hear people and respond to them? Will the church? Will we hear only our own internal “business” or will we hear the cries of the “cosmos” and respond? The “cosmos” begins in your home. In your life. In your community. Will you hear?

Bubba Mission

When Bubba Watson won the Masters golf tournament, he made Bubbaugusta history.  Commentators gushed about how an ordinary guy, a person who never took a golf lesson, a professional who didn’t have a cadre of coaches around him, proved that an ordinary man can win a major.  His improvised hook shot off the pine needles was lauded as Bubba creativity.  What carefully trained, meticulously coached, PGA groomed, institutionally produced golfer could even think of such a shot, let alone pull it off?

It’s a new era of ordinary winners.  Or, maybe it’s an era of remembering that golf is meant to be played by ordinary people.

Might the same be true of mission?

We’ve come through a generation and a half of carefully trained, meticulously coached, church-system groomed, institutionally produced ecclesiastical professionals.  What’s happened to the church?  The culture is losing faith in it.  The professionals are falling to the wayside in scandals--ala Tiger Woods.  The institutional prototype is turning people off.  People are leaving the church.

But there are some Bubba’s out there.  Ordinary women and men, people both young and old, are getting creative with the Gospel.  They’re meeting people where they live.  They’re personifying Jesus in their communities.  They’re inviting people into making Christ’s difference.  They’re looking outward and giving the genuine love and care of Jesus to people around them.  They’re meeting in homes, apartments, and coffee shops.  They’re sacrificing, starting non-profits, and traveling both near and far because they believe Jesus is the most important person for everyone to know.

And people are coming to faith in Him.  Around the world, the actions of ordinary people--of Bubba’s--are making Christianity the fastest growing faith movement on the planet.

Could your life use some Bubba mission?  Could your church?

Go for it, Bubba!

C & E No More

My daughter commented on Easter that it looked like even the Christmas and Easter attenders weren’t showing up for worship.  I looked around and agreed.

Times have changed.  I asked a young acquaintance of mine what she was doing for Easter.  Church was not in the plan.  Their families don’t attend church.  It isn’t a part of their lives.

The same is true of a good number of people in our culture, both young and old.  The church habit is slipping away.

The big question this presents believers with is: How will people hear about the hope we have in the risen Savior, Jesus?

If Christmas and Easter attenders are dwindling, if overall church attendance is declining, if the attractional, institutional church is losing its appeal, how will the Gospel invade the lives of the hopeless?

This is the question each believer and every church must wrestle with.  My thoughts?  Here they are:

1. The risen Christ isn’t boring or routine.  Christians need to be reminded about this in creative and compelling ways.

2. If the risen Christ is the source of true hope, Christians need to be ready to offer this hope in caring and appropriate ways within everyday relationships and encounters.  The church must exert new energy for the formation of every believer as a disciple in the trenches.

3. If the institutional church is no longer the center of the culture’s spiritual quest, the church must deploy to venues that allow believers to speak into the god conversation of the culture.  This will require great patience, strategic thinking, courageous action, and some radical retooling of budgets.

4. The church must trust that God really desires all to be saved.  As the paradigm of outreach shifts, Christians need to remember that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Lord’s Church.  Times and methods may change, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

Five Ways to Get Out of the (church) Box

1. Be the church where you are. The picture in this article is from a recent small group ministry effort of my friends in Africa. All they did was to find a shade tree and dig into the Word and prayer. Where can you bring Christ’s Church through serving, fellowship, prayer, and study?

2. Love on people in a local nursing home. Hundreds of elderly and disabled folks in our communities are lonely and forgotten. What if a handful of people from church invited non-churched friends from the community to gather with people there for conversation, songs, a brief devotion, and some games every week? The result would be a satellite congregation and many lives reached with the love of Jesus!

3. Deploy. What if you started a “preaching station” or a missional community in another part of town or in a town nearby? Why not stretch your boundaries by sending people to extend the reach of the Gospel?

4. Plant a church. What if you worked with your local Mission and Ministry Facilitator to seriously consider what it would take to get the right church planter on board to start a new ministry?

5. Serve. What if you blessed the community by finding a way to help make the community better? Talk with community leaders to see what needs exist. Then invite non-members to get involved with you. People will say yes to community service more often than to attending a church service. Let them see Jesus in action first!

Bandwidth

When the Internet gained popularity, I bit the bullet, plugged into my phone line, and began accessing the World Wide Web. After a click of the mouse, the dial tone sounded, followed by loud series of buzzes and electronic chatter. You might remember that distinctive sound. Then came the magic: a connection to the new electronic frontier.

Fast forward to 2012. If I had a dial-up connection today, you’d call me crazy. I’d be Internet impaired. The narrow bandwidth of dial-up would paralyze my ability to access the vast selection offered at the current online buffet. The bandwidth of high-speed technology has expanded connection possibilities.

Reggie McNeal talks about the bandwidth of the church. It’s something worth thinking about. Sometimes the church’s bandwidth narrows as it seeks to involve church people in church events. There’s a constant effort to get church members to sign up for, volunteer for, and join activities tailored for church people.

Statistics show, however, that 80% of the population is not church people. How can the bandwidth of the church be increased to reach the 80%?

This requires a paradigm shift. Instead of planning the church’s activities around church people, what if the church planned every action and formed every reason for invitation around the goal of engaging the non-churched?

People are craving relationships and purpose. What friend, co-worker, neighbor, or family member wouldn’t respond “yes” when you ask:

“Will you join me in helping to serve kids in need?”

“We’re going to hang out with and love on some elderly folks in a nursing home. Want to come along?”

“I need a partner for English as a Second Language instruction. Will you give me a hand?”

“A group is coming to my house to write encouragement cards to some people in need. Can you join us?”

“We’re going to make a meal for the blind in our community. Can you and your family help us?”

You get the idea. What can you do to grow your invitation pool beyond the church directory? How can you include the disconnected before you invite the already very busy church crowd? How can you help increase the bandwidth of the church so the 80% can experience the love of Jesus, too?

A New Neighborhood

Relationships are no longer centered on geography. When I was a kid, all the moms on the block knew each other, knew each other’s kids, and had the right to discipline any of the kids on the block. Families typically had one car--a car dad used to go to and from work. Neighbors talked over the backyard fence, got together to play cards, and combined efforts to form the winning bowling team at the local bowling alley.

Geography and neighborhood went hand in hand. But not anymore.

Sure, there are some neighborhoods that are cohesive and neighborly, but new “neighborhoods” have sprung up as people have become more mobile, more networked, and more selective about who their “neighbors” are.

“Anthropography” has replaced geography. People are choosing the people they hang with--and people are being thrown together in ways they never expected.

Unfortunately, the church may still get hung up on geography. True, geographical neighbors are important, but if Christians are told that their neighborhood is limited to the homes or apartment units that surround where they live, new neighborhoods and new opportunities to share the Gospel will be overlooked.

Some people spend more time with co-workers than with people from their subdivision. You may spend more time with people in school, or online, or at the remote main office, or at your kids’ soccer games, or in the dialysis lab than you do with people who live just a front yard away.

How is the church preparing itself to reach these new neighborhoods? How are believers reaching beyond geography? What’s your neighborhood and how will you bring Jesus to it?

Fad Resistance

My daughter was telling me the other day how she was sick of Tim Tebow. It wasn’t him, so much, but the constant media blitz about him. For a while he was counter-cultural, the hope of the grass roots and the outsider. Now he was mainstream, overplayed, imitated, the spokesperson for companies trying to make a profit.

This is what happens when something becomes too common, too hyped, too much a part of the established cultural flow. People start to resist. New and alternative movements cause a buzz of excitement. A mainstream fad causes resistance.

The tendency to bash the church is moving into fad territory. I watched the popular YouTube video “Jesus>Religion.” While it reflects today’s prevalent anti-institutionalism and this generation’s movement toward deconstruction of established systems, its slick and commercial appearance, along with a its faux alternative tone, show that church/religion-bashing has gone mainstream. In other words, the church is trying to lure people in by bashing itself. This has become a fad. And people see through fads. They don’t like them. They resist them.

So, as the church resists itself so people who really resist it will be attracted, the resistors of the church will resist the resisting. Got that?

What’s the answer? Ephesians 3:10 says that God’s intent was that “now, through the church, [His] manifold wisdom should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” The answer is for the church to be the church. Not to resist itself or bash itself or destroy itself, but to BE itself. That, because of the very nature of the church, IS alternative. The answer is to go back to the Savior Jesus who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but shakes every generation from sin and complacency with His counter-cultural Word.

A church that has strayed from being the church need not jump on the bandwagon of bashing the church. There is no need to try to find self-righteousness in self-flagellation. On the other hand, a church that has strayed from being the church can’t sit tight in complacent inaction. Self-righteousness through self-satisfaction is off the mark, too. The church needs only to hear His call back to its first love, back to the Savior, back to being Christ’s church. The church is the always-new movement created by God to transform the world. It never was and never will be a fad.