Won't Things Get Out Of Control?
Philosophy of Ministry: Statement #7

By George Antonakos

Statement #7 "We value: thoughtful experimentation: success and failure as learning opportunities; and change for the sake of fulfilling our mission." (PoM)

One of the most consistently expressed concerns for congregations that decide to become more permission giving and less hierarchical is expressed in the title of this article. A positive answer to the question posed above is, "yes and no." How can "yes and no" be a positive response? In the following way: yes, things can get out of control when the desire is to guard turf or preserve traditions that have become ineffective; that type of control should be surrendered. The "no" half of the response is this: no, things will not get out of the control when God's Spirit guides us to be like minded in our commitment to Jesus' Great Commandment (Love One Another) and Great Commission (Make Disciples).

This is why the value statement starts with the word "thoughtful." It does not simply mean considerate; it means "with full thought" given to our Lord's priorities. If a ministry team or any leader starts a ministry with this in mind that ministry will demonstrate the Spirit's fruit of "self-control" (the same Spirit will also keep us from ignoring the necessary duties and core ministries of congregational life).

One definition of the word "experiment" is to "try out a new procedure, idea or activity." So "thoughtful experiment" has a sincere element of reasonableness and faith as we seek to fulfill our mission. Whether those experiments succeed or fail they become our instructors so that we may continuously learn what is most helpful for the growth of the whole Body.

It's that word "change" that often raises the most anxiety. Lyle Schaller always has some pithy thoughts on the subject: "the only organism that does not change is a corpse. Even then, the embalmed illusion only lasts a short time." He goes on to say that no congregation can grow that isn't willing to change something. For instance to get off of classic worship attendance plateaus (90-115; 150-175; etc) leaders must accept the fact that they can't know everyone, must welcome the creation of new groups that focus on involving people not currently members of their church, and decentralize decision making to "thoughtful teams."

Fulfilling the Mission becomes paramount and everything is evaluated on that basis. This is what our Lord meant when he spoke of old and new wineskins. The structures and containers of gospel wine must change or all will be lost.

We say we follow the One who was both incarnate and resurrected for us and for our salvation. Think about the change implied by those twin descriptions and realities of the Lord. And then, let those thoughts spur us on to accept our Lord's invitation to step out of the boat and move ourselves and others toward him. After all, he is the only one who is really in control.