If Church is a process, what is your role?

Around the world believers are asking questions about what church should look, feel and act like. This is a natural process that has happened throughout the history of the church but is no less important for our generation to think through and define.

And like in every other generation the stakes are very high. Our process will define our expectations of church, our participation in church and the outside world’s perception of church.

The Lausanne Global Conversation has a variety of articles talking about various aspects of the church but I want to focus on the commentary of one of the members of the Lausanne Blogger Network – Albert Bogle. Albert is responding to one of Krish Kandiah’s conversations on Biblical preaching.

Albert starts his commentary with the following thought, “preaching needs to be “re-imagined” in our minds as less of an event at which the preacher performs and more as a process in which the preacher participates. If we could begin to think about preaching this way we might do a great service to the church of Christ.”

This is a key idea that is defining much of the discussion about church. What does church look like when it is not attractional? The idea of church as a process where every participant is accountable for a different role is exciting but also a bit scary. Many will wonder what would be expected of them in a church that intentionally challenged every participant to be a key part of the community.

The interesting thing about viewing church as a process is that it allows for an environment of growth and learning. Each activity, service, or outreach gives the members of the community a chance to learn their role and hold each other accountable. It is only when we hold each other accountable that our churches will be places of authentic discipleship and growth.

Participate: Read Albert’s article and think about your own preaching or the preaching of your pastor. How could you hold your pastor accountable or be held accountable as the pastor to the authenticity of your message in your cultural context and community?

Engage: Ask God to show you how you can develop greater authenticity and accountability in your ministry, lifestyle and relationships.

Own: Challenge the leaders around you to be examining the authenticity of their ministry and creating environments of accountability.