Calgary Church – Join a movement….

A popular pastor in the US offered his take on the eight crucial characteristics of a true church. I'm going to use his examples/model to give readers an impression of what Calgary Church might look like in an official capacity. The context of this pastor is a conservative right-wing message to a left-wing city (Seattle) all packaged in new blue jeans. In his context it's working. Here are my thoughts on his list (his point in bold my comments after):

(This list may not be verbatim from his new book, but the essence is here.)

1) Regenerated church membership. I think we're talking about a certain type of Christian who is a baptised and discipled believer. I'm OK with this, it's essential but is it number one? In some sense I think we may operate in a different box. Here is a picture to help explain (ignore the Bible part, I just want the basic idea):

You see, if church is only dependent on who's regenerated then we've created a box. You're in if you're 'regenerated' and outside if you're not. I prefer the model where some are closer to Christ along their faith journey while others are further away.

2) Qualified leadership. I'm definitely in favour of strong leaders, leader of leaders. However, for this particular pastor he would qualify part of this statement with male leadership. The main leaders of any church (the lead pastor) can and should only be a man. I'm not sure I agree with this statement, Calgary Church is much more open to women leaders. We would base our decision of church leaders on giftings rather than anatomy, although acknowledge we are created different (male v female).

3) Preaching and worship. I would say no and yes. I disagree that preaching is necessary. It's nice to have, in fact, necessary to have some form of proclaiming the gospel story, but does it have to be preaching? Maybe it's an argument of semantics. However, considering I've heard this guy preach, heard others preach, get bored after 30 minutes, I really can't believe God's church community must include a disproportional component of one guy's opinion on the Bible/topic.

This is a very Protestant position, and although I'm one myself, think we've got to come up with a more effective way to 'preach'. If standing up in front of a crowd while they all listen to you like school for 45 minutes is your idea of preaching then no, it's not necessary. If it's sharing the gospel story in 20 minutes or less then I'm game. (Not to say someone can't share for more than 20 minutes, but every single week???)

Worship, celebration as a community who God is, is necessary when the community gathers, and is also expressed in unique ways in our every day life. How it looks week in and week out is open.

4) Rightly administered sacraments. As in communion, footwashing...giving...I'm in favour, and wish this replaced 'preaching' as the main component of church community gatherings.

5) Spirit unity. Unified as one spirit in the Holy Spirit. Yes.

6) Holiness. The process of drawing closer to God's reign; to become more like the characteristics of Jesus Christ. This is a process, I'm in favour, however, I don't believe God loves you more because you adopt more of his attributes.

7) The Great Commandment to love. If it's so great why isn't it higher?

8) The Great Commission to evangelize and make disciples. Higher, higher! Crucial yet cannot occur in a self-serving community. I think this is the close to the entirety of the the purpose of 'church'. I would put this ahead of 'preaching'.

Here are some contrasting styles of what the church is not that were included.

1) The church is not a building. NO kidding! However, I think the majority of churches understand and even proclaim this. However, they still offer a 'sit and see and consume' model in their buildings so they state one thing but do another. Hypocrisy.

2) The church is not any one denomination. True, nor does it have to be one.

3) The church is not a eucharistic society, or a vending machine. yes.

4) The church is not a business. Tell that to almost all evangelicals in Calgary! Regardless of denomination, these churches use profit-maximizing/corporate techniques to operate and measure effectiveness in their churches. Again, although they say they have a purpose for 'lost souls', in reality their actions are more in tune with managing money, managing land, managing leaders, managing vision, and managing 'effectiveness' (what is that exactly within the church context?)

So that's my take, is there something missing?