This is a guest post from Tony Morgan. Read more of his thoughts on leadership, strategy & the Church at TonyMorganLive.com
Back in the 1992 elections, Bill Clinton’s political machine used the phrase, “It’s about the economy, stupid!” to remind themselves of their priority. If they were going to run a successful campaign, they had to keep the message focused on the economy.
In church world in the 90s, you may have heard leaders use the phrase, “It’s all about the weekend, stupid!” The philosophy was if the weekend services aren’t great, it impacts the growth of every area of the ministry.
Since we do ministry in America in the middle of a very consumer-driven culture, I still believe our weekend services are critical to sharing the Gospel. People who don’t know Christ are consumers before they are convicted and committed Christ-followers. If the weekend service experience isn’t intentional, people who are still consumers will not stay engaged. We can present the Gospel, but they won’t be there to hear it. We can challenge people to become fully-devoted followers of Christ, but they won’t be there to hear that challenge.
That said, there’s a danger if we assume the weekend service is the only component of a discipleship strategy. Primarily, that’s an issue because it’s not God’s design for spiritual growth. Corporate worship and teaching is one component, but it’s not the only component.
At West Ridge, our focus is instead on leading people on a journey of life change. In other words, it’s not about the weekend–it’s about the life change. With that in mind, we’re both intentional about what happens on Sunday, but we’re also very intentional and focused in how we offer next steps.
This current series is the perfect example. The services in “The Naked Truth” series have been very compelling. We’ve given great amounts of prayer and attention to every detail of the teaching, worship, graphics, media, stories, etc. But, we’ve also been very intentional about the next steps we are offering people to embrace the journey of life change.
For example, here are some of the specific next steps we’ve encouraged people to take:
- Online Assessments – We’re offering check-up assessments for couples who are dating, engaged or married. This assessment ultimately offers recommendations for further conversation and action steps. It may encourage couples to pursue counseling as needed. We’re also offering a separate assessment for single adults.
- Daily Devotionals – We’re writing and delivering daily devotionals through email to encourage couples to talk, pray and study the Bible together.
- Group Connections – We’ve challenged everyone to connect in a short-term group based on their life stage and location. These groups are engaging in further conversation and Bible study based on the topics of each week’s message.
- Life Care Support – Where folks need additional support beyond the assessments, devotionals and groups, we also have support groups and counseling available. We have over 100 volunteers helping people in support groups that provide care for folks wrestling with divorce, substance abuse, sexual addiction, financial challenges and more. We also work with local, professional counselors to refer people to counseling when it’s helpful.
To our knowledge, we’ve seen a couple thousand “next steps” in recent weeks including almost 100 people who have accepted Christ and begun their life change journey. That’s what our ministry is all about. We celebrate the people who show up for services on Sunday because we know it leads to thousands of people taking next steps and experiencing life change.
It’s about the life change, stupid!
I appreciate some of the points in this article but.. the title was very provocative and is the reason I jumped over from Twitter..
But..lets not forget It"s about the Cross, STUPID! .. all of these steps are nice but lets not forget the core.. there are lots of non Christians that lead changed lives that are very compelling.. Let the cross do it’s work..
The dangerous part of this.. “is that our changed lives become the story”.. the reason this is dangerous is that it “can” lead to self help mentality and diminishes the gospel.
just my .02
Comment by blendahtom - Feb 15, 2010 @ 06:40 AM
Tony,
Love how you are aiming at a bigger target than simply numbers. I’m convinced churches are aiming too low. Aiming for life change—changes the way we look at what we do.
I’m also concerned that we begin worshiping at the altar of “life change” rather than before Jesus. I wrote a short blog about it at: http://gracefreakdan.wordpress.com/2010/02/13/terroist/
Regards,
Grace Freak
Dan Rockwell
Comment by Dan (Grace Freak) - Feb 15, 2010 @ 07:05 AM
I love the idea, but I sort of agree with the previous post.
It is NOT about life change, it is about Christ! John 5:39 & 40 seem to reveal that.
Life change is the result of knowing Christ not the path to knowing Him. If you Love me, then obey my commands.
I love the things you say, the presentation, the “next steps,” but that is not what it’s about.
Perhaps this is a difference in terminology but until it is explained in a way that leads to Christ & life change from Him not our design I don’t see any way around it.
Thanks
Austin
Comment by Austin - Feb 15, 2010 @ 07:07 AM
To all the people above. I believe what this article is talking about those who are already saved. The answer is Jesus, but once we have Jesus it should affect our lives in a such way that we change and became more like Christ. That’s what I got from this article. Jesus causes the change.
Comment by Brian - Feb 15, 2010 @ 01:13 PM
This is a great discussion! Thanks everyone for sharing your insight based on your convictions through scripture. I appreciate and agree with the comments posted in response to this blog: Jesus should and must be the central message we teach and the Holy Spirit is the one who ultimately transforms us.
All of which I think Tony Morgan would also fully agree with.
Wisely stated, without God, life change will look no different than self-help institutions. And without life change, Tony argues, churches will look no different than spectacular and well-executed events.
The challenge, that I think Tony is posing, is for church leaders to remember the crux of why we do what we do. The message of Christ must permeate beyond Sunday church visits into every arena of our lives. He admonishes churches to change its course from being driven solely with the narrow goal of attracting America’s consumer crowd, to becoming a church that intentionally calls people from being convenience minded to committed followers of Christ. (Working of the Holy Spirit is required, of course!) It’s not about mimicking what West Ridge has implemented, but the tools/strategies listed here are just some examples of ways church leaders can be more intentional in going beyond preparing and executing elaborate Sunday gatherings.
Life change is the result of knowing Christ, not methodically mapped out steps. But, knowing Christ must happen daily; and, life is a journey. So the question that might be worth probing is: As leaders, what is our role in ministering in the body of Christ and how can we join in with the work of the Holy Spirit in leading our church in this life-long journey of discipleship?
May our stories keep pointing to our amazing God!
Saved by Grace,
Anita
Comment by Anita Kim - Feb 15, 2010 @ 01:46 PM