I am struck by the lack of creativity inmodern church leadership. Almost every time a person comes up with something touted as new and revolutionary it is just a warmed over idea.
In systems thinking we describe two kinds of changes. First Order Changes just switch the parts around without altering the way the system works. Old First Church operates with one person, the Clergyman, doing all or most of the work and making most of the decisions. A new female Pastor comes on board who is expected to make dramatic changes because of her gender. However, if the polity and traditions of Old First Church make her continues with the Clergy Centered approach the alterations will be simply cosmetic not systemic. It is a First Order Change.
However, The Older Than Anybody Memorial Church has done things according to Hoyle for over 100 years. The Clergyman, Rev Dr. Smith, ran the show, did all the leading, preached at all services and acted as decision-maker for over 50 years. His seminary teachers were pleased, the denomination supportive, the pillars in awe and the Elders passive.
After his demise the Elders looked around and saw 45 members left. They were all over the age of 65. They called the leader of a small student group who met for Bible study on Wednesday nights and said, "How would you like the building?" The young people said, "OK. Why not?"
The youth group operated like a group of college kids without seminary training and denominational consciousness. They reached out to family and friends and made decisions by consensus of the leadership council. No person was paid and most of the monies collected went to help people in need. This was a Second Order Change. The system was completely different than before.
Many new churches are building and growing. But almost all are simply rearranging the chairs in the meeting hall. All are First Order Changes.
I am put off by all the time, money and energy being expended keeping the church in hock to bricks and mortar and an antiquated system of running things. They spend 10 or 20 million dollars and still run things like a theatre.
We desperately need a new approach to living out God's life in the Spirit. And, who better to conceive of new ways than people like me. Builders and Boomer with Brains and Hearts on Fire.
Over the next decade we will see millions of mature Christian men and women leave the safety of their padded pews and develop Second Order Systems for more effectively and efficiently marshaling their gifts, talents, finance's and leadership abilities to change themselves and the world. I am hearing weekly from people who say things like, "I will never tithe or be enmeshed in a traditional church again. I am going to minister through Para-Church groups around the world.
The Builder/Boomer Generation is the single greatest asset of America in general and Christianity in particular. This group has more:
Disposable Spirituality
Disposable Money
Disposable Maturity
Disposable Wisdom
Disposable Gifts of the Spirit
Disposable Talents
Disposable Time
Disposable Skills
Disposable Creativity
Disposable Leadership and Management Skills
Despite these enormous assets, the churches as currently constituted have no place of real ministry and creativity for them. These people have reared their families, run corporations, made lots of money, traveled internationally, developed cross cultural businesses and have wisdom beyond belief. Yet, contemporary church life is almost solely a game for young people, led by young people with young, immature ideas.
Do not misunderstand me. The traditional church must have a strong focus on young families, kids and youth. However, the need for "Wineskins" for the older, wiser and more mature among us is reaching a critical stage. That group has some 80 to 90 million people, many whom are Christians, and we are living longer with greater assets to invest in The Kingdom of God.
I am seeking men and women who are tired of the old ways of doing business and who want to make a difference with all the things God has given them. Let's give our best and most creative thoughts to how to move forward.
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