Saturday, May 25, 2013
Jul
18
2011

Should Every Church in America Rethink Itself?

Posted 1 years 312 days ago ago by Doug Lawrence     3 Comments

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5 resources you might want to help you get that done...



If you were around 20 or 30 years ago, you have been privy to some of the most exciting and mystifying change in modern church history. Like it or not, we are not the same as we were when your folks were raising you and, in truth, we (the church) are going to be much different when your children are your current age. The church is “reformed and reforming” and you are a part of it. Here are some tools to help you in that process.
I like this book. It is a charge to rethink the way we do ministry and become influential, and hovers over one of the biggest flaws in our current embodiment. The number one challenge to the church at this point in history is to not spread itself out so wide that there isn’t any depth. This book will help.
This blog has touched some tough places in my self-congratulatory posture. It will yours, too!
In addition to writing for Creator, I also blog for ChurchCentral.com and find the wisdom of my colleagues there to be both stimulating and instructive. I believe you will, too. The subjects are broader than music and worship, but every one of us could profit from a wider purview.

The ever controversial Mark Driscoll has written another book, and I believe it will be one of the most important books Christian leaders can have at hand. This will be a primer for some and a “go to” reference for teaching others (laymen mostly) about what we believe. I like it and I like Mark Driscoll, though I find both somewhat unsettling at times!
Lastly, I recommend occasionally migrating to ChurchMarketingSucks.com to put a check on why we do the things we do. I tend to find endless inspiration for the things I write and opinions I give to church leaders in this one stop and challenging resource. Though the title may sound disrespectful, I assure you the page is devoted to helping church people not be so blatantly “churchy.” You’ll like it, I promise.

In Closing


One of the sins we church professionals often make is being too insular and parochial. We wallow in our limited understanding of things until we become stereotypically pedestrian in our view of God’s plan for the church. It seems only natural that we would want to expand our perspective, but, alas, it takes work and intentional striving to make that happen. We can only be as helpful to others in ministry as we are willing to be helped ourselves.


Doug Lawrence, internationally recognized speaker, author, and advisor, helps churches assess and improve their skillfulness in creating engaging worship experiences by utilizing his more than 35 years of "deep trench" worship leadership in prominent mainline churches. has been a consultant to church leaders for 35 years and is anxious to be helpful to you in leadership, musical, and staffing considerations. Or, if you wish, call 650.207.8240 for assessment information and scheduling.

 © 2011 Creator Magazine All Rights Reserved








3 Comments


  • Doug Lawrence 1 years 310 days ago
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    You're quite correct, Dawn. The church was never meant to be a one man (or, for that matter, a one woman) institution. Acts 2 reminds us that people were being called into community to spread the message of God through Christ and His present and real Kingdom. The institution was meant to encourage believers—not the other way 'round.

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  • Dawn Brinkmann 1 years 311 days ago
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    It is not up to one person or group of people to decide what to do with their church. It is through prayer that Jesus can advice on what the specific path for any given person or congregation needs to be as he rolls out his Kingdom. I have been being spoken of and reminded from my childhood (late 70's through mid 90's) that we are all in better shape when we work together, instead of every church, family, or individual finding their own way by their own steam. We must rely on those of us with hearing to help others keep their balance as God brings us in.

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