Creating Community in the Body of Christ
Any community is based on commonality among its participants. In the case of a community of Christians, the common thread binding them together is the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus is Lord! He is the only begotten Son of God who died on the cross as a perfect, sinless, atoning sacrifice for the sins of all mankind in order to reconcile a fallen world to God. It is a community of people who have accepted and trust in the message of reconciliation through Jesus’ death, resurrection, and coronation. It is a community based on faith in the love and grace of God who has enabled sinful man to have a relationship with Him because of and through the work of Jesus. It is a community of those who rightfully sing, “His blood has made us one.”
As Christians, we are members of the body of Christ. Every aspect of our life as a Christian is a body issue. Being a part of the body necessitates community. We are a society of believers in Jesus Christ: the Jesus society. The community of people around us is the incubator in which we grow. The depth and quality of our growth will depend on the community that surrounds us. In living the Jesus way of life together with others in the local body of Christ, we encourage, empower, and enliven one another. In Christ, we share a common life together.
Every community has an identity shaped to some degree by its purpose. In essence, a community of believers in Jesus is to be transformed to be like Jesus. This transformation into Christ-likeness results in bringing glory to God. It is a transformation based on loving God and loving one another that brings forth a community that is filled with Christ. His character, motives, desires, actions, and purposes become ours. His identity shapes ours.
As Christians, we are members of the body of Christ. Every aspect of our life as a Christian is a body issue. Being a part of the body necessitates community. We are a society of believers in Jesus Christ: the Jesus society. The community of people around us is the incubator in which we grow. The depth and quality of our growth will depend on the community that surrounds us. In living the Jesus way of life together with others in the local body of Christ, we encourage, empower, and enliven one another. In Christ, we share a common life together.
Every community has an identity shaped to some degree by its purpose. In essence, a community of believers in Jesus is to be transformed to be like Jesus. This transformation into Christ-likeness results in bringing glory to God. It is a transformation based on loving God and loving one another that brings forth a community that is filled with Christ. His character, motives, desires, actions, and purposes become ours. His identity shapes ours.
Depending on one's "church heritage" this reality, and purpose, of the body is very much over looked. We've been conditioned to see church/christianity as an assembly in a building, doing specific religious activities, thinking this is worship, which is extended to mean the local body is functioning as it should. All the while missing the siginificance of the Body, resulting in the atrophy of local congregations.
ReplyDeleteHow does one begin to move from previously held ideas about "church" to seeing that the local church is all about community, a community one is a part of, and how that community is absolutely necessary to one's personal growth into the likeness of Jesus? (not just "seeing" but actually living it out)
It is very difficult to overcome years of misguided ideas and to live in a whole new way. Hopefully we allow the Spirit to led us more in this direction. Yes, Jesus is Lord and that is what binds all believers together.
Tony,
ReplyDeleteChange is usually slow and difficult. To change one's past belief system or perspective takes time. Especially is this true of changing a culture. To change as an individual is one thing, but changing a church culture or perspective is another. Teaching, example, practice, prayer, and dependence on the Holy Spirit to direct that change are vital components. Be patient. Continue to grow, and find others willing to change with you.
Thanks for the good post, Terry! And, I too resonate with your comment/questions, Tony.
ReplyDeleteI'll add a few comments. (1) community is a good term--expands us from thinking only in terms of assembly. But what kind of community? What if we thought in terms of a 'kingdom' community. That is, a community that is under the rule of God, and helps to bring God's reign to every place, person, etc., within and around that community? (2) Change process: There are six stages of change and three dynamics:
Stages :
1. Precontemplation (resisting change),
2. Contemplation (begin to see change as a possibility),
3. Preparation (Getting Ready-growing commitment to change),
4. Action (acting with commitment),
5. Maintainence (Staying There),
6. Termination (point of no return).
{See Prochaska, James O., John C. Norcross and Carlo C. Diclemente. (1994). Changing for Good: A revolutionary six-stage program for overcoming bad habits and moving your life positively forward. New York: Quill/Harper Collins Publishers.}
Dynamics:
1. Deconstruction
2. Evaluation
3. Synthesis
Learning theory suggests that ideas and concepts must be broken down into their basic parts (deconstructed) for a thorough evaluation. Then, the parts are put back together in a new synthesis, based on the learner's evaluation of the component parts.
Based on these two aspects of the change process (stages and dynamics), change within a congregation will require some deconstruction of doctrines and church practices to evaluate how well these doctrines and practices reflect the core values and beliefs of the individual and the group. Then, a new synthesis of doctrines and practices is put in place to reflect the new evaluation.
Where we get stuck is in contemplation. We may cognitively (in thinking only) deconstruct some of the doctrines and practices of our church tradition. But, we do not move to preparation or action due to emotional arousal and doubt. Thus, we are unable to synthesize new doctrinal understandings and new church practices. A church tradition that prides itself on ‘certainty’ about matters of biblical interpretation and church practices is naturally resistant to doing anything without absolute certainty. The nagging, “What if we’re wrong?” question leads to a defensive posture (circling the wagons), following the policy that says, “Better safe than sorry.”
So, my first recommendation for moving a church through change is to deconstruct the notion that certainty is necessary before commitment to change and action is appropriate.
Resources for leading change in the church:
_Berger, Peter and Anton Zijderveld. (2009). In Praise of Doubt: How to have convictions without becoming a fanatic. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
_Kotter, John P. (1996). Leading Change. Harvard Business School Press.
_Stanley, Andy and Ronald L. Jones. (2006). Communicating for a Change. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
_Taylor, Daniel. (1992). The Myth of Certainty: The reflective Christian & the risk of commitment. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
_The Book of Nehemiah, chapters 1 – 9.
-ryan
Wow Ryan! That is alot to chew on. You are right: we tend to get stuck in contemplation. That is where I am, I think. But the fear of going against the grain is present...I don't want to be seen as a "troublemaker". It is getting beyond that fear, and the effort of actually making changes, that is difficult. I do appreciate the excellent information you've provided.
ReplyDeleteTony has hit on something vital when he refers to the fear of how others within the church/congregation view him. I would like to invite your (or others) comments on the dynamics of changing a congregation when people within the congregation may have differing viewpoints or at least are in different stages of the change process.
ReplyDeleteTerry,
ReplyDeleteIn congregations like you described (differing viewpoints/different stages of the change process), change will come slowly and difficultly, if at all. That may explain, in part, the diversity of the church represented across the theological and denominational spectrum.
In our particular lack of denomination, it used to be (or so I'm told) that peole could think whatever they wanted, as long as they conformed to commonly accepted church practices. Great tolerance for differing viewpoints, but absolutely no tolerance for differing practices. (You see how this sets our group up for getting stuck in the 'contemplation' stage of change). These days it does not appear that much tolerance is given to differing viewpoints.
Socially, the person who dares to challenge commonly accepted beliefs or practices is labelled a 'trouble-maker' and driven out of the group. So, (Tony) with good reason you experience "the fear of going against the grain."
But, let's face it. The only way to get past the fear is to embrace it. "Feel the fear, and do it anyway!" The question is less about 'how' but 'why'. Or, in other word, it's about motivation. Why would we commit to, prepare for, and act for change? Well, when the pain of our frustration with the status quo is greater than our fear of social rejection, then we will move past the fear and make whatever changes that are needed. But, it's not so simple. We can become so ambivalent that our motivation is completely stolen away. REDUCING AMBIVALENCE is the best way to increase motivation for change. Emphasizing and Amplifying the distance from where we are and where we truly believe we need to be--this increases motivation to the point of action.
So, if change is truly needed, then Christians and congregations must own up to the unacceptable realitites of the status quo. Change must be reframed as a solution to a problem--the problem being the status quo. If Christians or congregations overall, do not see the status quo as a problem, they will not be motivated to change.
You might be able to tell that this is a topic of interest to me... ;~)
ReplyDeleteOne last thought:
In our particular lack of denomination, many people are frustrated with some aspects of the status quo. Typically, these folks believe that some repairs are in order, and, maybe, some tinkering here or there. They do not accept the notion that complete and total deconstruction must take place before any new evaluation or synthesis is possible.
It's like a man with an old car. He is afraid to sell it and buy a new car, so he convinces himself that it can be fixed. So, he puts a new fuel filter and new spark plugs and new filters, belts and gives it a nice paint job and washes it clean. But, the car still won't run. He scratches his head in frustration. A neighbor walking by sees him scratching his head. "What seems to be the problem," the neighbor says? "Well, I've done a lot of work on this car, but it still won't run," the man says. "Oh," the neighbor responds, "When did you start having problems?" The man answered, "After the engine blew up and the transmission went bad."
In some ways, we are trying to drive a car with a blown engine and transmission, thinking "if we just change the spark plugs it will go another ten miles." The car needs a total overhaul. Overhauling an engine requires what? Taking it apart (deconstruction), making sure every piece is in working order (evaluation), then putting it back together (synthesis).
At some point, however, any car owner realizes it makes more sense to just buy a new car.
--that's it. I'm done. --ryan
I appreciate your insights Ryan. I am interested and concerned about the dilemma one faces when some in the congregation are fairly satisfied with the status quo, and others in the same congregation are not. Referring to your old car analogy, some may view the car as running fine, others that it is barely running, and still others that its days are over. Some feel it needs a tuneup, while others feel it needs a major overall, and then some, as you mentioned feel it's better to get another car. Ultimately, I suppose it comes down to how an individual feels about their level of discomfort, dissatisfaction, and discouragement, and whether or not they have a clear vision of a better situation or life for themselves. Are there any other cars better than the one you're in?
ReplyDeleteMuch of this discussion is focused on a macro level, ie, a group change. Terry, you and Ryan have made some very pertinent remarks on change and the dynamics of change within the community of believers. Indeed, what a task that is. But a task necessary and very worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThere is another level of change that is crucial for the change of a group. Of course that is change within each individual. I think, and I could be way off track here, that for a group change to occur there has to be change in individuals. It seems that one of the greatest testimonies of the power of Jesus it to change a person into something they were not before.
So whether we are dealing with change at the individual level or at the group level, change is difficult. One obstacle is maybe we don't know HOW to change. Some do not want to change, others do but just don’t know how to go about it; or are not sure how to get started. As bad as conditions maybe at times, we get/feel stuck with the devilish notion that change is either impossible or will require to much effort or we are ignorant unskilled, so why try at all. We may even be blinded to the reality that we need to change!
Your point on deconstruction: could it be the most difficult step in the change process? As bad as I dislike my current status, I feel up against insurmountable odds to tear down the present structure. Actually, I've become very skilled in "handling" the structure. So tearing it down is scary...for several reasons. So we, I, go back to the facades of spirituality, that everything is wonderfully divine, when in fact the foundation is at best cracking, if not crumbling. It is the fear of transparency with others that causes us to keep our garbage boxed up in our minds, which only leads to despair and depression, and reinforces the devilish notion that change is futile. The six stages and the three dynamics are excellent insights and process…but how does one deal with the fears, the uncertainties, and the pains of change? Doesn’t this get even deeper in that the real issue is one of faith, trust and confidence in Jesus to do what He said he would do? If I believe I can’t change is that not saying that Jesus doesn’t have the power to change me? If I believe that change is too difficult am I not saying that the Way of Jesus is not worth it…that He is not worthy of me changing? If I think I don’t know how to change is that not saying that Jesus doesn’t have any answers? If I truly believe change is possible then my life should reflect that, right? Am I way off track here? Your insights, wisdom and experiences are welcomed and valued.
Tony, I've already droned on enough with this thread... I dare not get started again ;~)
ReplyDeleteBut, I will recommend a book that helped me with some of what you are talking about.
Scott McKnight has an excellent little book called, "Finding Faith, Losing Faith: Stories of Conversion and Apostasy." Here's the Amazon url: http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Faith-Losing-Conversion-Apostasy/dp/1602581622/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265943886&sr=8-13