A Family Business?
Something strange happens when a family goes into business together. Relationships change. Priorities change. Goals change.
Relationships, priorities, goals, and other things also change when the church (a family) begins to act as a business.
Jeff at “Losing My Religion: Re-Thinking Church” has written a very thought-provoking series about this topic. Here are links to his posts:
1. Church as Business (part 1–A Rose By Any Other Name)
What do you think?
Alan,
Check your links. Part 2 links to part 1.
“Looking back at the deconstruction I’ve gone through over the past 10 years or so, I smile just a little at how progressive I used to think I was early on. :)”
I identify so much with this! Having gone to the mega-church pastor’s conferences, grown up in a church of 1,000+, and seen the business of church be “successful”, I thought I really knew what church was.
But all along I had been defining church according to what the church does (function) not by what the church IS (essence). As soon as I redefined church by what the church IS I was able to resolve so many conflicts that I had noticed between Scripture and practice.
Alan,
Another honest leader! Good stuff!
If only all could see the chains they place around there necks, AND their brethren. Even worse they dishonor Christ.
Steve,
Thanks. I fixed the link.
Jon,
Yes, it is amazing how different your perspective is when you look at the church as our identity (essence).
Aussie John,
I can testify that it is difficult to see the chains of traditionalism. I lived in it for a long time.
-Alan