Dear Servants of the Lord,
My reflections during my Sabbatical still impact my understanding of ministry and congregational life. Some of the books spoke more powerfully than others and one such book was, “What Every Pastor Should Know: 101 Indispensable Rules of Thumb for Leading Your Church.” Reflection #24 suggests that “Nine of every ten new members should be involved in a ministry role or task.” Now as you can tell, I consider this book a valuable tool for reflection. In fact, I’ve never been to a conference or convocation that didn’t benefit my ministry and leadership. Can you imagine that? The reason for that is even when I disagree with the speakers or presentations or ideas, it allows me to reflect on why I disagree.
In some ways I disagree with “rule 24.” At least I’d like to modify it in a number of ways. First of all, though I know the focus at this point for the author is on “new members.” I don’t distinguish people and care and ministry. In fact, we show no distinction or difference in our care for people who are members or non-members of our church. What’s the basis for that idea? It is simply the Word that forms (or ought to form) the basis for all our activity and perspectives as disciples and as churches. Let me give an example.
I know (and I expect you know) that it is a long standing practice in many churches with schools that the members receive a discount for their children attending the school. There can be lots of reasons for that practice including the “perks” we expect for being members of an organization, the rationale that the members have already contributed some for the costs of the ministry, and many more. But it is my feeling we always need to look at the full impact and the goal and the source of the ministry. Well, the source of ministry, of righteous ministry, is Jesus. When it comes to church or discipleship, our mission is driven by our connection to our Lord and Master. He is the One who leads and promises to empower our ministry.
So what would you say is the number one goal of a Christian school? I may have caused you to hesitate when you wanted to say that the goal of school is to educate a child. But I didn’t say the goal of the school but the goal of a Christian School. Our public schools are tasked with providing children with an academic education, but they are challenged (especially these days) in helping children see themselves as part of a community, serving the common good with morals and ethics guiding their decisions, actions and lives. What is the basis for action and morals and ethics when the Word of God cannot play a part in the discussion? So our goal as a Christian school is to preach Christ in the context of a child of God discovering the world and their own gifts and help them know how to use their God-given gifts to His glory.
So if we had two children and one was brought weekly to Sunday school and lived with faithful disciples who spoke of the faith and lived out the faith and we had another child who knew nothing of Christ, who is the “target” of our mission? Who needs to hear the Good News that Jesus provides life and, therefore, who needs the discount? In reality, we don’t know the answer to the question. That is a different question based on ability to pay to come and grow in faith (some from seed and some already growing). We want all children equally to be in contact with the Word and those who can’t afford it (without regard to church membership) should be assisted in coming. I’m thankful to say that was the policy of our church and school in providing financial aide with a school that had a high percentage of non-Christians attending.
So, back to rule 24. What also bothered me was the author’s idea that it was only nine of every ten new members should be involved in a ministry role or task. Do you hear and see Jesus trekking after one of the 99 sheep? If Jesus will leave the 99 for the sake of one, can we lightly disregard one of the ten who join? I know the point (I’m not totally dense) but I don’t like a good point made on a bad foundation. If people are just joining a church, then I suppose a 90% involvement rate is pretty good. But if they are committing themselves as disciples of Christ, how can we be satisfied if one of them misunderstands their nature as disciples. Disciples are followers, in action, moving in the world, following Jesus Who was the greatest Servant of all. We follow the One who brought not just ideas to bear in the world but a new life, a way to live in community and in the community of the world, serving all people, following the example of Jesus (as new members say about their discipleship when they join our fellowship).
One more thing about pointing to “new members” is who is not in focus. What about the old members (and I mean that both ways – old as in chronological age and old as in “long time” members)? That is not a small matter, to be honest, as the books I’ve read suggest those can well be “written off.” OK, that’s not the words they used. They made it sound nicer but the effect was the same. They suggest that we pastors should spend our time moving “new” members since the “old” members are set in their ways and it is harder if not impossible to get them out of the cement they’re stuck in.
I’m sure you can understand their perspective (if you’ve ever tried to change the mind of a person “stuck in their perspectives” is like “teaching an old dog new tricks”). I know that to be true but can you tell me who Jesus worked with? Did He spend His time with children who He could form into new disciples or with “old fogeys,” Pharisees and fishermen and those “up in age” who were life-long Jews steeped in the law? How could He expect to have an impact on them and change them and involve them in the mission and ministry He was designing? How indeed! And yet He did in marvelous new ways by the power of the Spirit (you know that Holy Spirit that you and I got in our baptisms). That Spirit is amazing dynamite (the power – dynamis) from on high.
So it comes down to you (and me). WE all should be involved in ministry role(s) or task(s), wouldn’t you say? Yes! To God’s glory in thanksgiving.
In His Service,
Pastor Johnson