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Soterios vs Doxa in Church in Profiles

Wednesday, I re-posted a blog from James MacDonald about soteriology vs. doxology as the driver of church mission and structure.  Here are my thoughts as it pertains to profiles:

* I respect and root on each of these churches.  Nothing critical in my heart meant here.

The first thing I think, rather than just theory, are church examples.

It's easy to look at what you read and where you have visited- and suddenly it's Stanley's model vs. MacDonald.  Warren's vs. ......, Noble's vs. ......  

Observation #1: I've evidently really studied and visited soterios churches moreso than doxa churches.

Observation #2: Are our stereotypes correct?

Sometimes.  Not all the time.  And- I don't think I know well enough at this point of study to draw definitive conclusions- just suppositions.

Here's what I mean in some profiles:

I've visited Hillsong NYC.  I have a mancrush on Hillsong, and have watched their worship leaders in what I see genuinely pursue God for years- I would consider them a doxa church, actually.

Now, when I was there, an associate who I won't name was there teaching.  I'm very hesitant to write anything negative here- so suffice it to say it was not as Biblically rich as I'd have hoped.  I root them on, and consider that to be an exception there, not the rule.

I've visited the Brooklyn Tabernacle.  Fresh Wind Fresh Fire changed my life when I was 17, and even though their church style is about as different from me as you can get- I loved that church and would attend there.  It was like a foretaste of heaven- unity in diversity, joy, great Biblical teaching- simple, yet let the Word speak for itself.  Doxa.

I've visited Northpoint Church.  One of the primary models of the soterios church.  I loved it.  I was inspired.  Deep worship?  That's not what they are trying to do- it was two songs and done- because the thinking is all through the grid of what people who haven't yet trusted Christ would be touched by.  Which I respect... but is that where the church is supposed to stay?  

I think Northpoint is worth studying.  I respect what they are trying to do.  Are they growing?  For sure.  Are people becoming deep followers of Christ?  I don't know.  Either way.  We sure have a lot to learn from them- my wife and one of our staff members are headed there next week to learn.

I've visited Newspring Church.  The ones famous for covering ACDC and Van Halen during service.  Perry Noble has this way of saying about anything and getting away with it.  I visited Newspring expecting it to be way aggressive only, and I was wrong.  I loved Newspring.  I actually saw them minister with a broad brush- trying to reach all kinds.  I saw lots of "blue hairs" in the audience as well as college age.  My wife and one of our staff members are headed there as well, in part because I insisted on it- I could attend Newspring.

However, almost every teaching series is "Pump it Up" or "House Party" or "Unleashed."  Now, that's intentional- they are soterios, trying to see people trust Christ.  I respect that.  I loved Perry's teaching.  Would I stay in that teaching mode exclusively?  No.

I've visited Elevation Church several times and have contacts there.  They've been so helpful for us, giving us tours, answering questions, training production guys- even to the point of giving us their phone numbers so I can ask questions.  Terrific guys.

I think Elevation, although I would consider them a soterios church, to be most middle-of-the-road.  They are much more doxa than meets the eye.  They seem to me to engage intentionally and aggressively people who need Christ- yet truly worship and set the stage for deep things.  I would absolutely attend Elevation- them, Newspring, and Brooklyn Tabernacle were my favorites.

I've never been to Harvest Bible Chapel, although I've read James MacDonald's writings.  They are inspiring and I see such a pure heart.  I wasn't as receptive to him watching Elephant Room- but there is such a purity of heart in Vertical Church you can't help but love the guy.

Even in the beginning of the book, he wrote: "getting people back to church is pointless unless God comes back first... many iterations are all horizontal substitutes for God come down, we all get rocked and radically altered, Vertical Church."

Amen.

My detailed thoughts will come later- but for now- even as a worship leader, comparing the two- 

       

Can you have your cake and eat it too?

Depends on what your cake is.

Please Comment- Tell Me What You Think.

This post is from James MacDonald's blog and may be found here.  This actually explains an internal wrestling I've had over the last year.  I'll withhold my opinion for now- I'd like to have discussion- what are your thoughts?

The Most Destructive Error in the Church

 

Soteriology is a word that comes from the Greek word soterios, which means “to save.”Doxology comes from the Greek word for glory and names the single stanza hymn. While many have heard the Westminster Confession that “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever,” fewer have understood that doxology is the highest purpose for church. Doxological is a good descriptor for the mission of God’s glory. Placing evangelistic mission above the mission of God’s glory is the single most destructive error in the church today and the one from which many other errors fall out. God’s own glory as the priority for your church and every church needs no reflection on our part, only obedience. Glory is not a threat to reaching lost people but is actually the most biblical and God-honoring way to get there:

• Yes, God is passionate to see the elect brought into the church.
• Yes, God honors the efforts of those committed to scattering the seed.
• Yes, God calls us to let down the net for a catch as fishers of men.
• Yes, God is “not wishing that any should perish.” (2 Peter 3:9)
• Yes, God “desires all people to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3–4)
• Yes, “whosoever shall call,” and “God so loved the world,” and “we are ambassadors for Christ.” (Romans 10:13 KJV; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:20)

 

The statements above are biblical fuel on the fire of evangelism, but the Scripture also puts parameters on how far that zeal can go. “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word” (2 Corinthians 2:17). When soteriology becomes a higher priority than doxology, much is done “to reach people” that grieves the Holy Spirit and forfeits manifest presence. Like a man paddling across the Atlantic with a hole in his boat, God’s glory can be briefly neglected, but if not soon corrected, we will find ourselves in a place where the only choice is to sink. Neglect of glory is not a small oversight but the hinge on which God’s glorious favor swings in or out in any church. The error of failing to make the glory of God your highest priority is very difficult to address in a horizontal church because they believe their mission is “winning the lost, end of story!” If that horizontal mission results in numerically successful outcomes, the methods will be considered “above reproach” ipso facto, and that is the great disaster. Even where churches have doxology in their mission statements, it is too often assumed. Those resistant to what I write might reply, “Of course God is glorified in our efforts to reach people for Him, why would He not be?” Possible answers:

• Because preachers are not carnival barkers, and Jesus is not a midway prize. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
• Because some methods use content that offends God’s holiness—ask King Saul if sincerity is an adequate reason to disregard God’s holy reputation. (1 Samuel 15:22)
• Because some methods reveal the wisdom of humans and not the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4–5)
• Because some methods provoke people to praise the strategy, not the God who saves. (Jonah 2:9; Acts 13:48)
• Because Ichabod can become a reality just when everything looks to be going great!

How did the church get this way? I don’t know the whole history, but I do remember the impact of a book that came out in 1980 titled The Complete Book of Church Growth by Elmer Towns, John Vaughan, and David Seifert. It lists the top 200 churches in North America by attendance. Interestingly, in 1980, the largest two churches had about 5,000 attendees. By the time they got down to the 200th church, they had gone under 2,000 in attendance. As of 2011, there were 1,200+ churches in America with attendance over 2,000; more than 100 churches that have attendance over 5,000; and more than 2533 with attendance over 10,000. But wait! It’s a trick, because during that same time the population has grown by more than 40 percent and the total number of people actually attending church has fallen by greater than 15 percent. Bottom line: in real numbers, millions of people who were worshipping Christ in a Protestant church in 1980 are not doing so today. So who are we kidding? Horizontal, soteriologically driven church is not growing the body of Christ as a whole. Even if you are seeing a “win” on your side of town, we are a “loss” collectively. Do you care? Regardless of size, every Bible-believing, gospel-saturated church, and those that want to get there, matter to God. Just because a few churches in big cities are flooding with people does not mean that those methods are helpful to the church as a whole. What if Satan allowed a few churches to burst at the seams, knowing that selfish shepherds everywhere would mimic those horizontal methods and plunge churches from coast to coast into a vortex of decline?

Sadly, many who read this believe that pursuit of the glory of God is an abandonment of evangelistic impact, when in fact the opposite is true. Check back Friday for some evidence. :)

Call Me Tuesday.

Mondays, I'm AWOL.

That's my day off; that's my sabbath.

I have to guard that; if you text me/call me mondays about church stuff I won't respond until I'm back in the office.  I don't check email mondays.

"We are never more vulnerable to depression from burnout than when we are totally fatigued and overtired.  Even Jesus, when He felt weary and overwhelmed, said to His disciples, 'Come away... and rest for a while."

I read this week that 10% of pastors who enter ministry retire as a pastor.

I'm no better than any of those guys.

I'd like to retire as a pastor.

So I'm trying to get in better shape.  I'm trying to improve my rest.  

We all need a Sabbath.  I know life doesn't always work that way- but whatever we don't claim in our schedule gets claimed for us.  We have to proactively reserve it, and stubbornly not budge.

"The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest.
It makes me lie down only when exhausted.
It leads me into deep depression, it hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy for activities' sake.
Even though I run frantically from task to task,
I will never get it all done, for my 'ideal' is in me.
Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me.
They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of my schedule.
They anoint my head with migrains, my in-basket overflows.
Surely fatigue and time pressure shall follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever."

(all quotes from Leading on Empty, Wayne Cordeiro)

Kind of a Psalm 23rd in reverse.  

I'd like my life to be the opposite of this.  You?

 

I'd love to talk with you.

Tuesday. 

The Browns and Choices.

Want to know my secret obsession?

I'm a fanatical Browns fan.  Yes, I know I used the same word twice there- but it's true.

Being a life-long Browns spirit gives you a tough spirit- you can love under bad circumstances.  At least the draft is fun because you always have a high draft choice.

It's been a "factory of sadness," as it's been said.

 

You know the quote that says: "insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results (Einstein)?"

Well, what are we expecting from the Browns?  

They do have new ownership.  Maybe this time it'll be different.  If not, there's always next year.

Here's the point:  rooting for the Browns or not doesn't matter.  How you live your life does.

Being a Browns fan may be considered a permissible dysfunction.

However, if we don't fight for health for the things that really matter in life, nothing will ever change.

You need to "own what is yours."  Look in the mirror first.

Am I willing to make tough choices to "get better?"

Hmm.

Are you?

All in for the All.

"Collective responsibility implies, more than anything else, selflessness and shared sacrifices from team members...tangible and literal, like budget allocations or head count, resources that need to be shifted from one department to another.  

No one on a cohesive team can say, well, I did my job.  Our failure isn't my fault."  

Patrick Lencioni, The Advantage, p 26.

My New Role

Friday, Pastor Jason sent out a letter to the church family communicating a pretty awesome life change for me- my role as becoming Executive Pastor at Western Reserve.

I'm really excited about this new stage in the journey.  It's pretty special, for several reasons- let me elaborate on a few of them:

- This scheme can't always work...but it can here.  It requires a lead pastor who is selfless and secure.  One who isn't about "his" kingdom but truly about the church.  We have that here.  It also requires an executive pastor who is humble and whose ambitions corporately trump any personal.  I pray that I become that... every day, actually.

- I'm honored by what Pastor Jason wrote about my gifts in that letter; but make no mistake, his coaching behind that scenes has enabled any success I've had.  He's patient with me and works through things with me, rather than "hey josh, do it this way because I'm the boss."  That's pretty special.

- Pastor Jason always looks to protect me.  I know that, and am thankful for it.  Even though he hasn't asked me to, I'm considering myself to be his protector here as well.  Thankfully, we have a healthy enough church at this point where it's rarely needed.  If you attack him, I'm gonna come deal with you.  You just need to know that.

- I'm still going to be thoroughly involved in worship leading.  I love worship leading.  There are few things like looking out in the moment and seeing the church lost in worship.  There will be some new developments with that in the near future that will make things even better- which I'm really pumped about - but it won't be me "checking out" of that at all.  I'm more excited about the vision and future of our worship and production teams now than ever.

- We have a great staff at WR, and I'm excited to continue to develop with them as a staff family.  We'll have each other's back- and I have theirs.  I'm really looking forward to walking with them in ministry at a closer level.

- I'd like to earn your trust in this role.  It's a big deal; I don't take it lightly.  I want to be known as a servant, one who truly cares and serves you as he leads.  I want to shepherd you- to Pastor you.  You can always schedule an appointment with me.

You need to know that my wife and I "buy in" to Pastor Jason and Western Reserve.  I believe in the vision.  I've seen unbelievable strides toward health behind the scenes.  I believe the best days are in front of us- can you imagine story after story after story of changes lives, families, marriages- people being set free- children across the globe being rescued- people coming to salvation in Jesus?  WOW!  I think it can and will happen here.  I can see it.  This is a new day at Western Reserve.  There's nowhere else I'd rather be.  

I'm pumped about this new opportunity, and full of faith for what God will do!  Let's go "get it" together.

What did you go out to see?

The more you "cling to" in this life- the more you have to lose.

The more you "cling to" what you think to be yours- the easier it is to be shaken.

"Clinging to" perceived rights puts self in the driver's seat and Jesus in the passenger's seat.

 

Jesus once referred to John the Baptist in this:

"what did you go out to see?  a reed shaken by the wind?"

matthew 11:7

IOW- "what did you expect?"  this dude is legit.  strong.  you ain't gonna sway him easily.

is there any coincidence 

this is the man who once said of Jesus

"He must increase, but I must decrease." 

john 3:30

when your kingdom

        isn't your kingdom

 

when you fully trust

 

that is how you stand.  

that is how you are not swayed by the wind

 

God's "calling" isn't trite.  it's thick.  deep.  to be "worked through."  

to throw around a term like "called" reduces God's glory to whimsy or fate.

      "swayed by the wind."

 

when wind has crashed into you

      when wind rips through your body

               when you are attacked, left behind, questioned

 

hold fast.  thick roots.  a reed that is not shaken.  

 "He must increase, but I must decrease." 

Reality and Vision

"People are far more interested in what works than what's true.  I hate to burst your bubble, but virtually nobody in your church is on a truth quest.  They are on happiness quests.  As long as you are dishing out truth with no here's the difference it will make tacked on the end, you will be perceived as irrelevant by most of the people in your church.  You may be spot-on theologically, but you will not be perceived as one who teaches with authority.  Worse, nobody is going to want to listen to you.

Culture is like the wind.  You can't stop it.  You shouldn't spit in it.  But, if like a good sailor you will adjust your sails, you can harness the winds of culture to take your audience where they need to go.  Jesus did.

You've studied the Sermon on the Mount.  Surely you know the term Jesus uses over and over can be translated happy.  But even if you are more comfortable with the term blessed, think about what Jesus does at the beginning of his message.  Who doesn't want to be blessed?  He plays to their human nature, and then, one by one, he challenges their most basic assumptions about... well, everything!"

Andy Stanley, Deep & Wide

I'm thinking of how this dynamic plays out, for better or worse, with worship leading.  

Honestly?  For a long time, I've thought this:

I don't care for the way "church" happened in my past.  Others must feel the same.  If I build something different, that will minister to folks.

Now?  I don't know that my thoughts were accurate.  Well intentioned.  Maybe rebellious at times.  But I was trying to do something I thought was good for people.

With any leader, you need to be aware of where things are vs. where they should be.  And with that, step by step, lead folks to where "they should be."

Hopefully, my "where they should be" is healthy.  I want it to be.

Here's what I know: I'm not mad at "church" anymore.

I value growing up the son/grandson of piano/organ players- the hymns being so "in me."  When we play things like "Because He Lives" at WR, that's not me trying to politically satisfy someone; that's me.

I want to Pastor.  Shepherd.  Through worship.  

I can't please everyone.  I'd like to.  But I'd rather lead than be liked.

Sometimes, that does include getting folks to something that may be different than what they currently esteem.

Sometimes, that includes me realizing that what people like is more often than not legitimate.

WR music may be radical.  I do want to "take out church, insert Jesus."  I have a heart for folks who have been bumped into by the church, and I want to disarm some of their angst so they can become a part of a church that could bring healing to them.

Ways we "do church" here will include that flavor.  That's part of our DNA.  The heart is a compassionate, open door.

However;

I want to Pastor our "church folks," too.  I mean it.  I want to set the table so our faithful saints can worship deeply with ways that connect in their hearts.

It's not always easy to succeed with two things at once.

But, if we're mature and on mission, we'll find a way to do just that.  I think it can be done.

I'm willing right now to lay down some of my preferences for the sake of the Kingdom.  

Oh God; let us succeed in this.  To open the door for those that have a problem with "church," but also shepherd the faithful saints.  Give us wisdom to do this well.  

You. Strategic and on purpose.

I want to encourage and challenge you with something brief yet strong.

Are you living your life "on mission?"

This isn't just a theory to be ascribed to, but a value that is easily judged by the "body of work" that is your serving.

I recently held worship/production team meetings- I mentioned to them; "say you are on rotation for one weekend per month.  If I were you, I would volunteer either with another role in the team or with First Impressions or another thing as well."

Maybe that sounds harsh or detached.  That's not how I mean it.  True, there are "seasons of life" where something is going on or you need a season of rest.  No problem-

Yes, church is 24/7 and not just the "building" or "services."  Yet, that's the only time the whole church is gathered together, and the Word is taught and the Gospel is given; it's SO important.  Yes, we are aggressively inviting people who aren't yet saved to these worship experiences.  It's a BIG deal.

I don't understand and never have understood mindsets of serving once-in-a-while, or viewing church as something where I come, consume, and go back to me life that revolves around me.

If the biggest thing going on in your life is a car, house, pet, hobby, vacation plans, school, etc. etc. ... 

then that's not a life "on mission."  That life is about you and things that will not last nor make a difference in the Kingdom of God.

I love school.  I have hobbies that I do every day.  Obviously nothing wrong with any of that list- have at it! But your life should not revolve around those things.

You're better than that.

A life worth living is a life devoted to other people.  How can you make a difference for others?

I've always been like this, long before I was hired at church or was paid- every single weekend, I'm there looking to serve.  If I wasn't on the worship team, I was in the parking lot greeting, making coffee, saying "hi" at the door- something.  I want to make the experience best as possible FOR OTHER PEOPLE.  (that doesn't include the things throughout the week)

We have AMAZING volunteers and people "on mission" at Western Reserve.  This isn't meant as a critical soapbox.  We're doing quite well together.

But it could be much better yet.  

When I visited Elevation, I was probably greeted by over 10 people before I even got in the front door.

Wow.  Not awkward at all, not "attacking" - you actually felt special.  They were thinking about me.

We have wonderful First Impressions leaders and many who are on mission all the time- my friends, let's give them more to work with.  Sign up!  Get on mission!  

Greeting people before services every week- is that really too much for you?  Too much going on in your life for that?  

Getting there before 9am so any early people immediately have a great experience?  Being outside in the parking lot during winter?

Come on, now:)  

Don't live a life that revolves around you and is consumed by side projects and issues.  Get on mission, think about others, and join the wonderful team already in place whose entire purpose is to smile and serve.

God has gifted you.  God has called you personally to something, I believe.  Believe in yourself!  Realize how important you are!  YOU ARE NEEDED!  YOU CAN HELP OTHER PEOPLE!

1 Peter 4- 

^"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another... Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen."

You're Not Good Enough... but...

I heard again recently that:

"You are not good enough.  You are unqualified...

But God qualifies the unqualified."

Yes.  I believe that.

I have this mix of personality in my position where: I can be stubborn- I think every leader has something in them that thinks "they know how to do it."  Of course I do.  I'm confident.  

but...

I know

that I don't deserve to be where I am.  True.  I make no claims about that.  I have people around me that make me look good (not that it's about that) but I am thankful for them.

So God qualifies the unqualified.  God exalts the humble (even with streaks of stubborn).  

But there is also a charge in Scripture:

Let us live up to what we have already attained.

Does your execution and production match your level of grace and gifting?

God puts a level of anointing in your life- are you living at that level?

Honestly: I don't think I am.

Not quite yet.

I am not done.  But I am getting better.  I'm going somewhere.  And I'm driven for that.

Live up to what is already here.  

Where are you going?