What if?

I’m bothered lately by the way things work around here.  As many of you know, I’m the part-time “contemporary” worship coordinator for my church.  (I really dislike that word, but that’s a whole different blog post.)  As as arrived at church yesterday afternoon to participate in our weekly staff meeting, I began to ask myself some questions…questions that bothered me about the operations of our church.  But instead of writing a blog post about the things I disagree with, in an effort not to come across as church bashing, I thought I’d share my questions in a more productive form.  These questions may not apply to all of you, but I’d love to hear from those of you who may be in similar situations.  So, here goes…

What if…

• the church stopped operating as just another concert hall or multi-purpose building, waiting to be rented?
• the church started an effort to be known for it’s ministries, it’s love of Christ, and it’s relevance to people, instead of the great choir, the nice kitchen, the big parking lot, the good sound system, or the beautiful sanctuary?
• the church refused to allow any outside events to take place within it’s walls, and focused only on ministry opportunities that met people’s needs and gave them an avenue for finding out about the story of Christ?
• the church focused more on the people outside the walls and what they need and want, and less on doing the things the people inside the walls are pulling for?
• the church started asking why people don’t give as much as they pledge instead of trying to find ways to overcome our shortfalls and continue cutting ministry budgets?
• the church just stopped producing and mailing everything and spent the surplus of funds on communicating to people who really need God?

I am constantly frustrated by seeing how things could be done, and how God is working in other churches, and being inspired by the good works and amazing ministries of these churches, while having to endure the difficult questions about my own church, over which I have very little control.  Many of you could say, “step up and take control…’Be the change’,” but in mainstream denomination, it’s not that easy.  Bureaucracy, competition, and traditionalism abound.  The status quo is to keep everyone happy, comfy, and compliant.  The pastor answers to the committee who answers to the board who answers to the subcommittee before any decision can be reached, and by that time, the common vision has disintegrated.  It’s disheartening.  It’s frustrating.  It’s destructive.  It’s dangerous.

But, what if…