The 21st Century Church

SSHHHHH!!!! Not the P-Word!

There has been much written about the changing face of the church. Loren Meade’s , Once and Future Church described the changing shape of paradigm for a church rooted in “Christendom” to a rediscovering of an apostolic worldview. A visit to the bookstore will reveal a myriad of approaches and viewpoints about how the world has changed and therefore how the church must change to be effective and vital in the 21^st century. So much has been written about PARADIGM  shift that to some it has become a dirty word. So, let’s not use the P-word, lets instead just talk about what the church may look like as it seeks to be faithful to mission and what characteristics we might look for in a vital and healthy congregation.

Bishop Lee of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia has often said, “in every congregation I believe rests the vision, gifts, resources, and commitment to carry out the mission of the church.” In addition Bishop Lee has called all of our congregation to be “missionary centers” reaching out in new ways to the communities around us rather than “feeding stations” where like consumers we come and take what is offered. These words reflect a vision for the church that is a shift from communities of faith where people come to be cared for by clergy to communities of vision where people’s lives are transformed and sent out into the world to do the work of the church.

Tom Bandy, co-founder of Easum and Bandy and associates, and editor of Netresults, a periodical for congregational life and vitality, speaks of the change in how the church was and is, and needs to be. He describes the contrast in his description of the 20^th century church and the 21^st century church this way.

The 20^th Century Church

-Structures around committees

-A mandate is given from hierarchy

-People are recruited to carry out the mandate

-Procedures and policies are given to follow

-Liaisons are assigned to link the hierarchy

-People expected to do “the best they can”

-Committee is supervised or watched over

 The 21^st Century Church

-Operates on recognition of peoples innate skills and gifts

-People are called to mission

-The motive is mission not the completion of an assigned task

-The anchor is common values, beliefs, and vision (not procedures and policies)

-People are trained and equipped for excellence

-Hierarchy gets out of the way

Dr. Bandy offers a portrait of the “credible Christian” as the culture has claimed it in the following way:

The 20^th Century Credible Christian

-Typically clergy person with credentials and education

-Guided by polity and doctrine

-Ministry centered around pastoral care and counseling

-Main function is public worship, managing the church, and preaching

-Is knowledgeable, often seen as the “expert”

The 21^st Century Credible Christian

-Is a Lay Person

-Discerns and celebrates gifts for ministry

-Has interpersonal skills and sound biblical knowledge

-Is humble with a high learning curve

-Supported by friends in ministry

-Is constantly asking the question: What is it about my experience with Jesus Christ this community cannot live without?

The truth is that the marks are never so clearly defined from one way of being the church to another. Yet as we consider living into Bishop Lee’s call to be missionaries sent out from our missionary centers what of Dr. Bandy’s description of the 21^st century Christian church challenges you? It may be a good conversation to have at your next committee meeting.

For more information, contact:

The Rev. Tony Pompa