Some people are anti-structures. They think it is cool to be against “the man,” but all for movement.
However, there is no movement without structures. Structures are necessary for health and multiplication. It was true in the first century; it is true today.
But, not all structures will do. Some hind
er the dissemination of the gospel and the multiplication of disciples, churches, and leaders.
Some people work for movement, but only if it will happen within their parameters–even if those structures fall into the hindrance category.
And when the desired outcome does not occur…they tweak.
And tweak.
And tweak.
The tweaking of structures–a revision here, some change there–might not result in sufficient posture in preparation for a movement of the Sovereign Spirit.
If 5, 10, 15 years of tweaking have not been sufficient, then wise Kingdom citizens stop tweaking and start asking: Do our structures hinder the multiplication of disciples, churches, and leaders?
If the answer is yes, then more tweaking is generally not the appropriate response.
How long have you been tweaking? Is it time to start asking?
(image credit: Microsoft Office)
Hi J.D.
Thanks for your thoughts on structures today. I agree that tweaking is not the answer but rather looking how the “system works” and not how we can adjust the structures.
I have been influenced by a book from Dr. Dough Hall of EGC (Boston) called ‘The Cat and the Toaster’
http://livingsystemministry.org/
I think we still do too much ‘toasters’ in missions and don’t look enough at the systems and how they work. The Bible is full of ‘system pictures’ which takes into account all the processes that are necessary for growth.
On the contrary if on program does not yield the results we want, we try the next and the next…( the 6,7 or 10 steps of effective church planting)
I’d rather see more modells of systemic ministries in our cities and in world mission then more books on how to plant churches. For me the great commission is not about ‘church planting’ but about Kingdom building. It has a different focus then just starting a church for a denomination.
It has to do with teaching what Jesus taught – and the crux/essence of what he taught is according to Matthew 25:31ff
till all have heard,Thomas
Thanks for sharing, Thomas.
Hi J.D., I see where you will be speaking with Dr. Jerry Rankin at NOBTS today (Monday, August 25) on CPMs in North America. I think our structure in SBC life could very well support a CPM in NA, but we resist the tweaking because our structures have become institutionalized. We have moved from these institutions existing to support a Gospel movement through the local church, to the local church being responsible to supporting the institution, no matter if it is effectively and efficiently challenging/encouraging/assisting the local church to be a catalyst for a Gospel movement in their community, or not.