Following on from considering a 'credit rating' type system for those who come to church, I thought it might be helpful to use a similar system to advise where a church was and perhaps assist people in knowing what to expect:
So here goes:
‘GGG’—Extremely strong church that teaches, preaches and pastors; a worshipping and caring body that supports those within it, those on the periphery and those in the (non-churchgoing) community - does the stuff.
‘GG’—Very strong capacity with a few weaknesses and some major strengths - what we'd consider to be an 'excellent church'.
‘G’—Strong capacity to meet spiritual commitments, but concentrates on generally one area from a list that includes worship, mission or self; attracts members from other churches because of it's strength and keeps them for a season because of what is lacking beneath the surface - a 'good church'.
‘ggg’—A generally capable church that is engaged in the community, teaches and pastors its members and has a good social life - an emerging (and desiring to be) missional) church.
‘gg‘— One dimensional church - attractive because it has a band, or brings in 'names' or perhaps has a new building - talks about Christ and lives very much for self.
‘g‘— It's church, but generally only in name. Not a lot of fire and content to continue with its door closed (until the parish share raises its ugly head) - all the worst things that can be found in a self-serving maintenance church.
‘pp+’—Problems (real or perceived) mean they struggle to be effective and welcoming.
‘pp’— Problems (real or perceived) mean that the church has given up and looks to that person who will come and make a difference as they are convinced they can't.
‘pp-’—Problems (real or perceived) have created an Alzheimer's church where spiritual death is a reality even though the body continues to appear to still be alive.
These three groups have started to give me a baseline to consider what measures need to be taken to change it and make it effective and fun; for let's be honest here - if a church is doing all the stuff but isn't a place where fun and fellowship is a reality, then regardless of what it does, it isn't Church (is it?)
The reason for this line of thinking is not to put people or churches down but to enable me to start looking at what might be done to help the person or people to engage and enjoy mission and membership. To this end I will post a modified Engels scale tomorrow.
Again, comments, modifications and help regarding any of the posts is aways welcome.
Thursday, 3 January 2013
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
AAA - How does God rate us?
Of of the indicators of financial virility that George Osborne has clung to, and crowed about, is our nation's 'triple A' credit rating.
When I worked in the City of London's financial sector, one of the proudest boasts that the company I worked for had (aside for its integrity when it came to paying out - not something all can admit to) was the fact that it was a 'triple A' institution. What this meant was that regardless of circumstance, the company would always be able to meet its financial commitment. It was a safe bet and, if it ever needed money, a sound risk (in fact it means that it is effective 'no risk).
Listening to a rather good discussion on the financial probity of some nations and the state of European (and other) nations I was challenged by the assessments that some nation states received; something that got me thinking about how God (and Church itself) might adopt a credit rating system to assess, and advice, of the God ratings of both.
So here goes:
‘GGG’—Extremely strong capacity to meet spiritual commitments - does the stuff.
‘GG’—Very strong capacity to meet spiritual commitments.
‘G’—Strong capacity to meet spiritual commitments, but susceptible to distractions and changes in attitude which make them liable to just walk off when most needed.
‘ggg’—Adequate capacity to meet spiritual commitments, but subject to distractions and wavering.
‘gg‘—The lowest 'engaged with church' group - attend fairly regularly and make right noises (but never actually 'do' anything .
‘pp+’—Problems mean they struggle to be regular or engaged.
‘pp’— Problems mean that they tend to come when in need and then vanish until the next time.
‘pp-’—Problems mean that God is to blame for everything but they still like Church thanks to hatch, match and despatch roles.
‘AAA’—Will engage with Church, but with reluctance (and some distrust).
‘AA’—Will not engage with Church, taking every opportunity to attack and misrepresent what it is, does and believes but will still dialogue if pushed.
‘A’—Will not engage with Church and takes every opportunity to attack and misrepresent what it is, does and believes whilst not being willing to dialogue regardless.
‘D’—Dorkin
So, have a think about this embryonic model of classification and after having resolved any confusion over yourself, have a think about those around you and then have a go at working out which approach best meets their needs and brings about dialogue. You can add a minus or plus to assist the positioning of a person (churches come next) and aid your methods of engagement.
And if you can offer modifcations - please do.
When I worked in the City of London's financial sector, one of the proudest boasts that the company I worked for had (aside for its integrity when it came to paying out - not something all can admit to) was the fact that it was a 'triple A' institution. What this meant was that regardless of circumstance, the company would always be able to meet its financial commitment. It was a safe bet and, if it ever needed money, a sound risk (in fact it means that it is effective 'no risk).
Listening to a rather good discussion on the financial probity of some nations and the state of European (and other) nations I was challenged by the assessments that some nation states received; something that got me thinking about how God (and Church itself) might adopt a credit rating system to assess, and advice, of the God ratings of both.
So here goes:
‘GGG’—Extremely strong capacity to meet spiritual commitments - does the stuff.
‘GG’—Very strong capacity to meet spiritual commitments.
‘G’—Strong capacity to meet spiritual commitments, but susceptible to distractions and changes in attitude which make them liable to just walk off when most needed.
‘ggg’—Adequate capacity to meet spiritual commitments, but subject to distractions and wavering.
‘gg‘—The lowest 'engaged with church' group - attend fairly regularly and make right noises (but never actually 'do' anything .
‘pp+’—Problems mean they struggle to be regular or engaged.
‘pp’— Problems mean that they tend to come when in need and then vanish until the next time.
‘pp-’—Problems mean that God is to blame for everything but they still like Church thanks to hatch, match and despatch roles.
‘AAA’—Will engage with Church, but with reluctance (and some distrust).
‘AA’—Will not engage with Church, taking every opportunity to attack and misrepresent what it is, does and believes but will still dialogue if pushed.
‘A’—Will not engage with Church and takes every opportunity to attack and misrepresent what it is, does and believes whilst not being willing to dialogue regardless.
‘D’—Dorkin
So, have a think about this embryonic model of classification and after having resolved any confusion over yourself, have a think about those around you and then have a go at working out which approach best meets their needs and brings about dialogue. You can add a minus or plus to assist the positioning of a person (churches come next) and aid your methods of engagement.
And if you can offer modifcations - please do.
Sunday, 16 December 2012
Gaudete (or Rose) Sunday
Today is Gaudete (or Rose) Sunday, the third Sunday in Advent where we lay down the penitential a little and start to get excited about the prospect of the coming of the Lord and 'Rejoice' (for that is what gaudete means!
One of my favourite songs is Steeleye Span's rendition of the words below:
But how many of those who are Christian are rejoicing today I wonder?
On a day when a foolish secularist proclaims that science dispels the myth of Christianity and denounces us as a bunch of 'Zimmer frame' wrinklies I have to admit that I am (rejoicingly and joyfully) confused!
One of my favourite songs is Steeleye Span's rendition of the words below:
| Latin | English |
|---|---|
| Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus Ex Maria virgine, gaudete! | Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born (Out) Of the Virgin Mary — rejoice! |
| Tempus adest gratiæ Hoc quod optabamus, Carmina lætitiæ Devote reddamus. | The time of grace has come— what we have wished for, songs of joy Let us give back faithfully. |
| Deus homo factus est Natura mirante, Mundus renovatus est A Christo regnante. | God has become man, To the wonderment of Nature, The world has been renewed By the reigning Christ. |
| Ezechielis porta Clausa pertransitur, Unde lux est orta Salus invenitur. | The closed gate of Ezekiel Is passed through, Whence the light is born, Salvation is found. |
| Ergo nostra contio Psallat iam in lustro; Benedicat Domino: Salus Regi nostro. | Therefore let our gathering Now sing in brightness Let it give praise to the Lord: Greeting to our King. |
But how many of those who are Christian are rejoicing today I wonder?
On a day when a foolish secularist proclaims that science dispels the myth of Christianity and denounces us as a bunch of 'Zimmer frame' wrinklies I have to admit that I am (rejoicingly and joyfully) confused!
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
When Church finds others things to talk about!
I am rather confused regarding just what 'Church' is all about; for I naively thought it was generally all about Jesus and how He died for us (all) and His (God's) love and all that sort of stuff and yet I appear to be wrong.
What we are apparently supposed to talk about is women bishops and how we need to be seen to be concerned with equality and rights and issues of power and authority.
This morning I awoke to read that supporters of the consecration of women feel that the time has come for 'compromise to be abandoned' and listened on my radio to clerics explaining how we needed to be seen to be doing what society views as 'the right thing'.
I am surrounded by people (from outside the Church) who want to talk about same-sex marriage and by those (within it) who are sticking their fingers in their ears and singing loudly ('I can't hear you, I can't hear you!").
Actually, here's what I thought we (the Church) should really be doing today:
Talking about Jesus
Looking like Jesus in all that we do
Living like Jesus in both public and private areas of our life
Loving like Jesus loved (sacrificially) and lives (lovingly admonishing, enabling and accepting)
But it seems that, if what I hear and read are true, I am indeed merely confused!
What we are apparently supposed to talk about is women bishops and how we need to be seen to be concerned with equality and rights and issues of power and authority.
This morning I awoke to read that supporters of the consecration of women feel that the time has come for 'compromise to be abandoned' and listened on my radio to clerics explaining how we needed to be seen to be doing what society views as 'the right thing'.
I am surrounded by people (from outside the Church) who want to talk about same-sex marriage and by those (within it) who are sticking their fingers in their ears and singing loudly ('I can't hear you, I can't hear you!").
Actually, here's what I thought we (the Church) should really be doing today:
Talking about Jesus
Looking like Jesus in all that we do
Living like Jesus in both public and private areas of our life
Loving like Jesus loved (sacrificially) and lives (lovingly admonishing, enabling and accepting)
But it seems that, if what I hear and read are true, I am indeed merely confused!
Monday, 10 December 2012
Effective Church - a matter of class?
One of the challenges that face any church is that of getting the members to be engaged and active and I am have always been told that a large part of this relates to the issue of class.
Having been in middle and working class churches and lived in areas that ranged from posh to project I have always been challenged by the issue of class and what it means. After all, the Gospel is there for all people and this means that none are excluded or marginalised and yet when I worked with working class folk in London I found that a number of things happened when one of the community came to Christ and became part of Church:
1. They were totally committed and gave everything they had to the point of truly sacrificial giving,
2. They only had to hear of, or identify, a problem and before you could convene a church council to discuss it, it was done (or at least being taken care of),
3. Although they had low paid jobs and were, in the main, typical working class/blue collar workers, they were full of initiative and invention, and
4. They were introduced to middle class ways and soon became (according to family and friends anyway) posh! Three course meals, cheese and wine and other outward trappings became the norm for the convert and rather than equip them for heaven, we appeared to be equipping them to eat at a Berni restaurant rather than perhaps for heaven
An interesting fact in every community, be it city, town or village, is the fact that social deprivation is usually restricted to certain areas. There is always an 'other side of the tracks' community with its challenging folk and low paid workforce.
Church in Hackney was decidedly different to that in Chingford and church in some parts of Kensington and Chelsea was more different still.
Where the population of a place is limited to working class and aspiring working class and middle class relates purely and simply to the cost of the house, church appears to be a difficult thing to grow and equip people for. What we seek is lifestyle changes but what we get is a hobby that involves church. The people are happy to be directed and yet struggle to work off of their own invention and this leads me to think that to be healthy, perhaps a church does need its directive, middle class / upper class movers and shakers.
Is homogenous church, in terms of class, actually impotent church?
Having been in middle and working class churches and lived in areas that ranged from posh to project I have always been challenged by the issue of class and what it means. After all, the Gospel is there for all people and this means that none are excluded or marginalised and yet when I worked with working class folk in London I found that a number of things happened when one of the community came to Christ and became part of Church:
1. They were totally committed and gave everything they had to the point of truly sacrificial giving,
2. They only had to hear of, or identify, a problem and before you could convene a church council to discuss it, it was done (or at least being taken care of),
3. Although they had low paid jobs and were, in the main, typical working class/blue collar workers, they were full of initiative and invention, and
4. They were introduced to middle class ways and soon became (according to family and friends anyway) posh! Three course meals, cheese and wine and other outward trappings became the norm for the convert and rather than equip them for heaven, we appeared to be equipping them to eat at a Berni restaurant rather than perhaps for heaven
An interesting fact in every community, be it city, town or village, is the fact that social deprivation is usually restricted to certain areas. There is always an 'other side of the tracks' community with its challenging folk and low paid workforce.
Church in Hackney was decidedly different to that in Chingford and church in some parts of Kensington and Chelsea was more different still.
Where the population of a place is limited to working class and aspiring working class and middle class relates purely and simply to the cost of the house, church appears to be a difficult thing to grow and equip people for. What we seek is lifestyle changes but what we get is a hobby that involves church. The people are happy to be directed and yet struggle to work off of their own invention and this leads me to think that to be healthy, perhaps a church does need its directive, middle class / upper class movers and shakers.
Is homogenous church, in terms of class, actually impotent church?
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Being like Christ.
I am struggling with people who seek to make me unChristlike.
You probably know the sort. Those people who come into your consciousness and promise much, taking everything and yet contributing nothing! Continually apologising for their inactivity and yet, still beating their breast, continuing to be inactive, neither relinquishing the roles or jobs they have taken up nor doing anything with them.
Like a black hole the vacuum takes whatever is available and yet regardless of input and attention, or desire on their part, nothing comes from it until suddenly you receive an awful missive labelling others and exuding bitterness and bile. They depart having achieved nothing and remaining, however much has been taken, empty.
I wonder how many times Jesus experienced this. How many people lumped the blame upon Him and walked, assuming they were right, away from Him. Perhaps the sadness and pain of such loss is something we should be grateful for - an opportunity to share in the pain He knew. Perhaps the prayers we continue to utter for those who have walked away enables us to bring Christ into places where He might otherwise not be.
Perhaps this is a chance to be blessing where others bring their curses and their corrupt and flawed understanding of what it means to be Christian. perhaps, and even if not do we not continue to endure the pain of loss, the offer of friendship thrown back in our faces, the condemnations and accusing fingers providing merely an opportunity to take up our Cross and follow Him?
No one ever said the scenery would always be fun did they?
You probably know the sort. Those people who come into your consciousness and promise much, taking everything and yet contributing nothing! Continually apologising for their inactivity and yet, still beating their breast, continuing to be inactive, neither relinquishing the roles or jobs they have taken up nor doing anything with them.
Like a black hole the vacuum takes whatever is available and yet regardless of input and attention, or desire on their part, nothing comes from it until suddenly you receive an awful missive labelling others and exuding bitterness and bile. They depart having achieved nothing and remaining, however much has been taken, empty.
I wonder how many times Jesus experienced this. How many people lumped the blame upon Him and walked, assuming they were right, away from Him. Perhaps the sadness and pain of such loss is something we should be grateful for - an opportunity to share in the pain He knew. Perhaps the prayers we continue to utter for those who have walked away enables us to bring Christ into places where He might otherwise not be.
Perhaps this is a chance to be blessing where others bring their curses and their corrupt and flawed understanding of what it means to be Christian. perhaps, and even if not do we not continue to endure the pain of loss, the offer of friendship thrown back in our faces, the condemnations and accusing fingers providing merely an opportunity to take up our Cross and follow Him?
No one ever said the scenery would always be fun did they?
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