Four Questions
We received the following in an email from our church’s vision team. Our answers are below each question.
The Vision Team would welcome your perspectives on the following questions.
1. What is most important to me about my congregation?
The close friendships we have made where we feel totally accepted and can be truly authentic.
2. What do I worry most about when I think of my congregation?
In general:
We’d say that sometimes in faith communities there exists a reluctance for authenticity and honest discussion. Such an atmosphere is not fostered, welcomed, or encouraged. There also exists, in some faith communities, a shame based culture, as well as pressure to conform, “go with the flow,” don’t rock the boat, etc.
For example: Christians, because of who we are in Christ, may labor under the mis-conception that we *should* never experience any form of mental illness etc. and if we do we berate ourselves for the same.
3. If I could change one thing about my congregation at the drop of a hat, what would it be?
Legalism and the focus on sin, daily confession, keeping short accounts, etc.
“Under the covenant of law, one was not totally forgiven but must receive ongoing forgiveness in order to remain in a guilt free state. Yet at the cross, God poured out all His forgiveness toward those who are His. We don’t need to ask anymore! Paul described total forgiveness in Colossians 2:13-14.
The cross of Jesus was God’s final word about our sins. So let’s stop acting like it wasn’t by continuing to ask Him to do something He’s already done – forgive us.”
4. What are opportunities and threats that face my congregation?
There exists an opportunity to become different than other churches. A church that is inclusive, grace-based, and fostering an atmosphere of total authenticity. Faith communities embracing total authenticity involve some measure of risk, uncomfortableness, etc. One would think that in a faith community more so than any other community (i.e. a “work” community) one could be free to be totally themselves, but this is not always the case [in our experience].
Threats include: ignoring the opportunities for change, contentment with the “status quo”, making things more complicated than necessary such as outreach, missions, etc.
It will be interesting to see what may come out of this. There was also a discussion group held last Saturday that we weren’t able to attend. I believe the focus of the Vision Team is to find (negotiate, navigate) a way forward for our church.
