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This column could be titled "Chasing Willow Creek" or "In Search of Saddleback."  These are names of megachurches that large numbers of church leaders flock to for guidance on how to do church. Many pastors and church leaders are fearful that their approaches to ministry need to be radically restructured to effectively minister to a postmodern world.  The fast and frightening pace of change in our nation causes more traditional churches to feel as if they have lost touch. Unwilling to become stagnant or to accept the status quo, they pursue new models for their ministries. Church vans and buses fill the highways in search of new ways to do church.  The churches attracting these leaders are, almost without exception, megachurches with uniquely gifted megaleaders.    

Admittedly, these megachurches have many great ideas for effective ministry, and their desire to help others is praiseworthy. However, after years of offering church growth seminars, they have sensed a need to warn participants not to mimic their methods. Those who try to duplicate the ministry of these churches are often disappointed. Their well-intentioned desire to revitalize their own churches is a good thing, but in many cases their efforts create more problems than they solve.

The reasons for this dilemma are important.  First, when these leaders return to their churches energized by the new ideas they've learned they must be careful not to force change.   An established church is easily threatened by new ways of doing ministry.  Forcing new structures on churches promotes instability and uncertainty.

Secondly, those who attend the seminars often make the mistake of duplicating the product without the process. Leaders would be wise to patiently evaluate their unique ministry communities before implementing new methods. Most of the megachurch leaders consciously developed a strategy in relation to their specific communities. Effective and long term change,  especially in more traditional churches, cannot be rushed.  Leaders must prayerfully and thoughtfully evaluate new ideas and methods in relation to their individual churches and communities.  

Thirdly, when a leader hastily tries to change methods, parishioners will often interpret his efforts as an attack on their faith. It is common for people to closely connect their faith with the traditions and methods of their churches. Leaders need to help their congregations distinguish the unchanging faith from the methods used to communicate it. When this is accomplished, it is easier to convince people that there are more effective ways to do the work of ministry.

Finally, and most importantly, uncritical acceptance of megachurch methods is not wise. It would be advisable for those who attend the seminars to read some thoughtful critiques  of the movement before bringing the package home. Os Guinness' book Dining With The Devil would be a good place to start. Douglas Webster's Selling Jesus is equally valuable.

All who desire to be effective in ministry must face the question of how to be relevant without compromising the demands of the gospel. There is nothing wrong with new methods as long as the leadership does not rely on methods instead of the one who said, "I will build my Church" (Matthew 16:18). Remember, we are calling people to follow Jesus, and he never hesitated to place the demands of following him in the context of costly sacrifice. Although it is not popular, we must be careful not to mislead people about the nature of the commitment necessary to be a follower of Jesus.

The disturbing concern of the recent pursuit of new ways to do church is the possibility that it reflects a deep identity crisis in many churches.  Though it is not always the case, often the leaders who attend these conferences do not have confidence in ministry because they lack a solid scriptural understanding of the church.  Leaders need to develop and teach a biblical theology of church . People can be more easily moved to change methods if they are secure in their understanding of what scripture teaches about the church.

© 2000 Steven W. Butts "Real Answers™" furnished courtesy of The Amy Foundation Internet Syndicate.


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