An Equation For a Church?
Jake Rasmussen | October 20, 2008 | 2:35 pmI have been stuck in the Atlanta airport today since early this morning. I have been reading a bunch and working on the iLife series which starts this weekend at Epic Church. But, I came across this thought provoking equation. Read it. Think about it. Wrestle with it. Pray about it. Talk about it with others. Then share your thoughts.
Building + Clergy + Program = Church.
Body + Mission + Kingdom = Church.
*from http://threadsmedia.com/index.php?/store/detail/sent-leader-kit/
It seems to me the first is a very common way of “doing” church and even starting churches here in North America, in Tucson to be specific. We find a location to meet, we raise some money to hire staff, we structure the best program we can think of for: children, youth, adults, bible study, and so on. Then, we feel we have a church! And the things I hear and even at times, I confess… think, if we just get a better place, get more staff, and have better things to do then we have a more successful church.
The later has a focus on relationships. The relationship with Jesus as its foundation. With the “body” being those who have accepted the forgiveness from Jesus Christ and have made a decision to journey with Jesus though life. That journey is made with others toward the common focus which we hear over and over though the pages of the New Testament which is about brining the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. Which leads the final addition to the equation; a Kingdom focus. Not a “my church”, “my denomination”, “my city” focus but a Kingdom focus. One that says, “I don’t care if my name ever become great, or if my church ever becomes great. I desire for the name of Jesus to become great and that the Kingdom of God/Heaven is multiplied here on earth.” When those things happen we have a church being born. A place where you can be you. Where you can journey with others toward a common goal, and serving our cities, friends, nation, globe, family… in the name of Jesus Christ.
I have more thoughts about this but thought I would share what I have thus far with you.






