Cracks in the Modern Church DNA

If you read the last post, I hope you see that something has to change in how we function as the church in order to be faithful to Jesus and fruitful for Jesus. Some may say the answer is house church, gathering in homes. While I was trying to figure out what to do back in December 2022, my friend pointed out that the answer is not house church. There is something deeper taking place that has been so ingrained in how we think over hundreds of years and that there are cracks in the DNA or the foundation in the modern church that has to change, because if not, it does not matter if you meet in a house, under a tree, or in a building, it can fundamentally the same that must change.

I remember I shared about this with a friend who was wrestling with how church is today compared to what we see in the Scriptures, and below is the text I sent to help him process, which I have revised some since then. Much credit to my friend who coached me and gave me some key words that start with "C".

“Simply the foundation of the church biblically is Jesus. We must obey and be faithful to Jesus. How we gather either hurts us or helps us be faithful to Jesus. And what we do reveals what we actually value and believe. I've heard someone say that the fruit reveals the root.

How It Looks Now

It is very common in our culture for church’s to function based on the following values/roots, which are “cracks” in the foundation because the values are not what Jesus values for his kingdom and church.

1.      Consumerism

2.      Competition

3.      Comfort

4.      Control

5.      Celebrity

These values can be revealed with churches that choose to have a building, budget and staff, and also with churches that meet in homes, schools, parks, theaters, etc.

Consumerism

People come to want to “get something out of the ______” (message, music, service, program, etc.). Gatherings are formed with providing a product. If people don’t get the product they want, they go to another church to get it. So churches can be tempted to believe they need to provide a great product (message, music, program, foo, etc.) because that is how they get people to come and to stay to hopefully help them follow Jesus.

But instead of Consumerism, let us value Contribution: What if we actually gathered in such a way that everyone can contribute with their love and gifts like the Bible says (1 Corinthians 12-14)?

Competition

Consumerism can breed competition. If another church does something different, a church thinks they need to rise to that level so people can come to their church too so they don’t lose their people or potential people that may come. So churches can be tempted to believe they again need to provide a great product (service, program, etc.) to market themselves because that is how they get people to come and stay to hopefully help them to follow Jesus.

But instead of Competition, let us value Release: what if churches are not about building bigger ministries and getting more people to come and stay but releasing people to gather to gather wherever God wants and be unified with other believers outside their local church (John 17)?

Comfort

People like to be comfortable whether physically or spiritually, so churches can be tempted to believe they need to provide a great, comfortable experience (chairs, AC, inspiring message, uplifting music, short service, etc.) because that is how they get people to come and stay to hopefully help them follow Jesus.

But instead of Comfort, let us value Sacrifice: what if we focus on obedience to Jesus instead of what people prefer (Matthew 16)

Control

People might need to get permission from leaders to obey God, lead and serve. Leaders can control the vision, the direction, etc. and the ministries. It can also be more efficient for only a few to have the control. As a result, churches can be tempted to structure themselves in such a way that a few have control rather than the church empowered and equipped by leaders.

But instead of Control, let us value Empowerment: what if we let go of control and empower others to obey Jesus without coming to the leader for the thumbs up and blessing?

Celebrity

When someone has a gift, people want to celebrate it (sports, music, etc.) and also in church especially with speaking or music. As a result, those in the church with those gifts or with different gifts may not use their gifts because it is not as good or important as the “celebrity” and people can also choose a church based on the celebrity.

But instead of Celebrity, let it be Christ (Philippians 1:21; 1 Corinthians 1)

Summary

A church can show they value consumerism, competition, control, comfort and/or celebrity when the majority gather to have a few control and use their gifts so that the majority can consume and be comfortable from the few, with the hope that they are marketing themselves to others so that more will come and stay in order to help them follow Jesus.

Some of these or all can be values regardless of gathering in a building, house, etc. whether we realize it or not.

But to be a church of Jesus, a church must show they value what Christ values for his church: contribution, release, sacrifice, empowerment, and Christ.

As a result, when they gather, they focus on Jesus and everyone is empowered to use their gifts, contribute to the whole, sacrifice for Christ and others, and hold each other accountable with desire to spread the kingdom of Jesus’ agenda.

Here are two key questions in light of all of this:

1. What is the best way to gather to do what Jesus values so that we are faithful to Him and so that He and His ways is our metric of success?

2. And what would it cost to do so? By doing what Jesus values, there are various methods/traditions that we must let go and/or change so that we are faithful and fruitful for Jesus."