Using The Power Of Four To Return Stronger
COVID-19 has forced churches out of their preferred system. We are uncomfortable. Status quo is not working. We have had to adjust in ways that have pushed our culturally defined and preferred boundaries of ministry. We are seeing the Spirit work in fresh ways. We are experiencing new things, having visions of new possibilities, and, though uneasy, we are fired-up for the Lord. The change agent has arrived. Even in great tragedy, exciting things are happening.
But the familiar system remains and eagerly awaits our return. Will we pour ourselves back into that mould as soon as we possibly can?
Here are four ideas to help you move forward and return stronger.
Four Questions
Throughout history people have tended to meet in larger and larger groups under more highly trained leaders when they have the freedom and ability to do so. This is the law of complexity in organization, and the church is not an exception.
“If the first century disciples approached disciple making and church planting with the complexity we have in the West, the gospel would have never left the Middle East.” J. D Payne
Which activities are indispensible in accomplishing our mission?
Which programs are outbound and are bearing fruit?
Which systems need to be overhauled, mothballed or initiated to create simplicity?
When will you start pruning what is not bearing fruit?
Four Walls
Our primary investment is in what occurs within the four walls of our facilities.
What if you concentrated on the six days between Sundays, helping believers stay connected with God beyond the four walls of your church? The difference between a lukewarm Christian and an engaged disciple maker is what they do between Sundays.
Provide a daily encouragement or challenge to help believers spiritually – alternate text, email, posts on FACEBOOK, or INSTAGRAM.
Four Times
The Centre for Bible Engagement’s research revealed a powerful relationship between engaging scripture at least four times a week and moral behaviour. Among adults, reading or listening to the Bible at least four times a week lowers the odds of engaging in harmful behaviours such as getting drunk, having sex outside marriage, using pornography, and gambling.
These effects remain even after control for other factors, such as church attendance. Additional data from CBE shows that the more people read or listen to the Bible, the more they share their faith and disciple others.
Offer a daily reading plan with reminders - YouVersion offers dozens for free.
Four Decades
Forty years ago Howard A. Snyder challenged church leaders to think about their propensity to conserve. “We try to contain the new wine of the gospel in old wineskins — outmoded traditions, obsolete philosophies, creaking institutions, old habits. But with time the old wineskins begin to bind the gospel. Human nature wants to conserve, but the divine nature is to renew. It seems almost a law that things initially created to aid the gospel eventually become obstacles.”Howard A. Snyder, The Problem of Wineskins: Church Structure in a Technological Age, InterVarsity:1977, pgs.15-16.
How are your church’s present structure and systems obstacles to ministry potential?
Church leader - you have the opportunity to steward well this moment. The few are ready to be equipped and sent in ways never considered before the virus.
Will you be sensitive to what the Spirit is doing among those church members?
Will you take the initiative and create space to talk with those ready to run in new directions?
Will you challenge the majority to see the possibility even when ministry becomes routine again?
Your community is waiting.