On the other side of it.

I'm retired.
No not from my job, I'm a little to young and a little to poor to do that.
In late June of this year I completed my term as president of the Midwest Region of my denomination. You can probably look back at my blog entry for two years ago and find where I had taken the position.
As I look back on it, I have seen some high points and low points. I have watched churches grow and unfortunately I have seen some grow smaller.
While I enjoy the release from the responsibility, I always find that God teaches me something from an experience that I go through.
What I wrestle with, and I don't think I'm alone, is what should the church as a whole look like?
It seems we can't agree on why we are here. Some think it is a place for the saints to be fed, nice, tight, clean. The church exists to keep the members happy.
Others see the church as a lighthouse for the wayward soul. A oasis in a desert where people who are hurting can come and find help. Kind of like a mission, or half-way house.
Some see the church as horribly out of date, in need of a spiritual remodeling. Tear down the old and replace it with the new. Maybe a band, or skits, or video ministry.
I'm not sure we can agree on why we exist, but maybe it would be a good exercise to ask people.
It seems that we struggle with this very basic question, are we here to help change the community, the world around us, or are we to hang on, get a few saved, and since the world is going to get worse anyway, mainly focus on ourselves.
You might think I'm anti tradition, but I'm not. I was raised in a very conservative culture. I understand it better than most.
I am also not against contemporary worship, bands or skits. In fact I enjoy a good band, (like the band at the Crossover, man did I enjoy that).
When I'm faced with a question like this, I try to find something in the Word that answers it. When we talk church, I go to Acts 2, and find that one of the main things it says is that they "had everything in common". They answered the question. They knew why they existed.
We cannot exist just to maintain our tradition, because if we do we will cease to exist. Tradition cannot become a god that we serve. Tradition should be something we use to serve God and others. If it fails to do that, dump it.
On the other hand we can't be different or extreme just for the sake of being different or extreme.
Once we decide "why" we are here, we then can decide "how" we get to the goal of what God wants for our churches.
In my short two years, I have seen a church that was on the brink of death, turn around and begin to grow. Why? The people answered the question of why they were there. I'm sure they lost a few people during the transformation. But they gained something , a clear purpose. I believe God honors the faith of those who step out with Him into the unknown.
I have also witnessed a church that had been alive, split. Why? You could probably list several reasons, but for me they simply had forgotten why they exist. Something will always be the focus, if it isn't our purpose it will surely be something else much less important, but very deadly.
Be sure of this, the church of Jesus Christ will survive. Many critics have said for years that the church is but one generation from extinction. Don't you believe it.
But I believe as we regain our direction the church will look much different than it does today. I know that gives some indigestion, but I believe it will better reflect Christ to world that doesn't have a clue. It will make us grow. Painful, but not a bad thing.
My suggestion is that every church look honestly at itself. No Sunday School answers, be honest.
Ask "why do we exist", "what is our reason for being here" and my favorite "if we closed would anybody notice or care?".
The answers will probably tell you volumes about who your are and where your going. I may be an optimist, but I believe in God's power to transform churches.
The question will become will we let Him.