I have such a great church, but at times I find out things that make me realize what a rare pearl our church is. However, that doesn't help me stomach some of the foolishness that goes on in many churches.

My diagnosis, is that the Church (with exceptions) is a self-interested organization. Sure we all want people to avoid hell, but we want them attending our church to get it avoided. I realize that church-attendence is important, but it is not THE most important purpose of Christians. I'm trying to avoid a side issue here, but let me say, I love going to worship and believe it is a vital part of the Christian's life.

Now let's talk about the ministries of the church. How many benefit club members only or mostly? How many affect people outside (community) only or mostly? Let's ask the question differently. If your church would burn down, how many non-club members would miss it? Would notice?

A story, I once heard a pastor compare his ministry to that of the youth minister. He said that though the youth ministry reached large numbers, his brought in and kept the "paying customers." This is evident of an economic approach to ministry, that is by and large selfish. Or we do outreach to the lost, so that they come to OUR church. We are encouraged to make new friendships so that we can invite our lost "friend" to OUR church's next event/program/outreach/service/whatever. But if that's why we're making friends, how's that any different from getting people into Amway or Mary Kay?

So what are we getting out it? That's the question asked when a new idea/staff/ministry/event are presented to the church. Will it be something we (club-members) need or will it increase club enrollment? These are not the right criteria for ministry! If that were the case, Jesus ministry to the 10 lepers would never have been approved for the second year. Sure a ministry that would bring healed lepers, having recently reclaimed the land of their inheritance would be very beneficial to the local church (er...synagogue), but in that regard Jesus ministry was very ineffective. Only 2 came back. That's an 80% failure in retention!

Perhaps Jesus had a differing criteria. Perhaps he wasn't counting who was in church and how much annual giving was, but rather just how many people he had blessed. That's why we're here folks not to grow big churches but to grow big people by filling them up with blessing. Will this grow the church? Maybe. If you're doing it for that reason, I don't think God honors it.

So here's my radical vision that I've sown here in Stratton and would love to see catch on around the world. Instead of existence for the benefit of the club, how about we exist to benefit the nations, and bless them all. That's why God blessed Abraham, to bless the nations. Maybe we ought to just find ways to be a blessing to the world as well.

Currently Reading The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church By Reggie McNeal see related