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Thursday, August 25, 2005
Tinkering With Your Church
John Alan Turner had an interesting post on his blog "In His Big Grip"... Have you ever fallen into this trap?
So many leaders have bought into the myth that if they tinker enough with their churches they will eventually create wholesale change. But it doesn't work like that. At some point in time, if a church is going to survive for the next generation, you are going to have to introduce radical changes.
Tinkering is for people who don't really have the courage to make the changes they know need to be made. Tinkering allows a leader to trick people into thinking things won't really go too far. Tinkering frustrates everyone. Tinkering says we're not really serious about this whole project. Tinkering is a way of maintaining status quo while still managing to be irritating at the same time.
For a generation I heard people say that there are two speeds at which you can change a church: slow and slower. That's dumb. That's foolish. That's irresponsible.
God doesn't seem to be interested in tinkering. He calls men and women in the Bible to introduce radical change. Abraham. Moses. Joshua. Samuel. Josiah. Jonah. Peter. Paul.
Come to think of it, the church calls people to radical change in the most fundamental way. We do not call people to tinker with their way of life; we call them to repentance -- to radical change. Why in the world would we ask people to do something we aren't willing to do ourselves?
Ever fall into the trap of 'tinkering'? Is John correct? Do you tinker sometimes because you don't have the courage to make the tough decisions that you know need to be made?
Something to think about...
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August 25, 2005 in Leadership Issues | Permalink
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Comments
Any time someone suggest a "one size fits all" model he is spitting in the wind. If my engine is misfiring, I don't pull it and get a new engine. If I have a leak in my roof, I don't tear the house down and rebuild. Etc. etc.
Many churches need a mechanic, not a parts changer. A good mechanic knows when to replace a part or repair it.
Sometimes radical change is needed. Sometimes its not. The wisdom to know the difference can mean splitting a church or redirecting it to accomplish God's plan of expanding the influence of the kingdom. Nuff said.
Posted by: PJLR | Aug 25, 2005 4:22:31 PM
Great insight! So many churches are dealing with the consequences of "just" tinkering instead of doing what they really need to do in order to be effective. May God give us courage to do what is right...and boldness to go beyond tinkering.
mark
Posted by: Mark Howell | Aug 26, 2005 2:57:40 PM
Sounds like 'tinkering' for 'tinkering sakes'. Instead, why not do as God directs? He may say to tinker, or keep as is. Moses, etc. had a mission from God. He didn't tinker with his tent to make a bigger one, just to be tinkering or to be a big thinker.
The more important part is to be hearing God, then having COURAGE to follow-thru. Don't say that it's assumed in the article; it isn't. If it was, it wouldn't be about "tinkering or not" but "following God's command" or not.
John 3:8
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
...Bernie
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247/
Posted by: bernie dehler | Aug 27, 2005 10:37:15 AM
First off. I'm back everyone! It was a long vacation and now I'm ready to tackle the difficulties of life once again. Nothing says that more than a rousing discussion of two inseparable issues the Bible and the Church. I would like to start off by saying that I think this is a great article that really makes a leader think. I would have to play the devil's advocate or in this case the author's advocate. I believe Bernie is exactly right here. The article isn't implying anything regarding hearing God's voice or whether tinkering is or is not part of God's plan. The article deals rather with the raging war all leaders face between pleasing those under you and gaining their respect. If you were to take this article at face value it has great wisdom that not only exposes this viscious struggle but also points towards the leader who should expect great change from those who follow him/her. For me it deals with tinkering on a black and white scale reflecting the contrast of expecting sinners to make a leap of faith and let God miraculously change them to only find themselves coming to stammering hault as Christians. We've all known the "tinker" type either on our jobs or in ministry who tries to make everyone happy. He's the guy who tries to deal with office gossip by ignoring the bad behaviour only kindly smiling when hearing it. He's the guy who says, it took me 5 years to get them to sing them modern songs. Or maybe you've heard this one. It took me 9 years to get the people to really start to love each other. Please don't be angry with me if you are that person who has done that. I'm guilty too! At what point do we ask ourselves, "Is this our vision; singing modern Praise and Worship and asking our followers to just be friends?" Let's challenge ourselves. Let's stop tinkering with the hopes of catching people off guard when it comes to real change. Let's not let fear drive our decisions. So what if we lose those who don't embrace God's plan to change. Sometimes I think we see people as egg shells instead of flesh and bone. Sure people get cut and yes they bruise but they will heal. Truth is, we are afraid of the one whom we dealt with too harshly and now has walked away from God. We don't want that person's blood on our hands. But what about the 30 others who are looking at us to lead and guide them and tell them they are doing wrong and how to live right. What about those 30 or more waiting on us? Its not about being a tyrant and controlling people; its about helping them help themselves. Some need pushed, some need loved, some need both, some need patience, and some need strong discipline. It's up to us to find out who and to go with it. The only way to accomplish that is to make some mistakes. Don't be afraid to make them. We all can learn from them. God bless.
Posted by: Pete King | Aug 30, 2005 11:31:59 AM
I found the "Tinkering" article really helpful (and timely in a way that "divine appointments" usually are). Our leadership structure is typical, old-style Presbyterian church committees. We have too many committees for the church's size. The older people want to "retire" and the new people don't want to serve on committees. So how do we get ministry done?
I have been tinkering with the structure for the two years I've been at this church, but I think we need to do something radical now.
We're just starting to have successful small groups. Has anyone seen a good model for ministry being led and done by small groups that were primarily organized for Christian growth? I need something radically different so that we can actually do the ministry God is calling us to without frying the few people currently involved in leadership.
Let me know! (And if you get a chance, pray for the leadership of Trinity Presbyterian Church www.TrinityWestSac.org)
Steve
Posted by: Steve Whitney | Sep 3, 2005 10:54:04 PM
What a wonderful comparison of tinkering/parts changer, and replaceing-repairing/mechanic. I was never a big tinkerer, I was a pretty good mechanic that knew and worked with parts changers, who liked to tinker. They did more harm than good and were usually what the general public thought we mechanics did for repairs (hunt and peck). Hopefully the Lord will lead the tinkers to tinker with their cars and not the Lord's work. Amen. Rev Jay
Posted by: Rev Jay | Sep 5, 2005 9:54:17 PM
I resigned from a church where the Sr. Pastor was a tinkerer. We painted, wallpapered the halls, walls and worship Center. Started a Cafe ministry, painted the bathroom doors, hung big "in" photos throughout the office. But the real changes, and challenges went unacknowledged, unnoticed and undone. People have been jumping ship left and right. Why? Because the church isn't going anywhere. The faithful remain and hope things will change. Truthfully they can and should, but under the present leadership they can't, because tinkering (like you said) isn't going to get the job done. Courage, strong conviction and a Clear vision is what the people want, not pretty photos, logos and slogans.
Posted by: James | Sep 5, 2005 10:02:37 PM
I'm in somewhat the same boat as Steve. I'm in a church that once was a part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Although our congregation removed itself from the DOC about 8 years ago, there is still very much that structure and mentality.
They say they want leadership from the pastor, yet they give me no authority to do that. I was actually told by someone on the board that I have no vote on the board, that I have no real influence on the direction of the church except to carry out my pastoral duties. What an awkward paradigm!
This congregation is one that needs a major overhaul. Getting people grounded in Christ, spiritual growth and discipleship are some of the areas that need to be overhauled, yet through years of an intellectual approach to faith has nearly snuffed out any light that might have been shining. My predacessor tried to bring about change, but did it in a manner that was not loving and compassionate. More or less, he was throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
Change must be facilitated by the moving of the Holy Spirit, following His timing and His plan. At least that's the approach that I'm taking. There are times when the flesh wants to do an overnight complete overhaul, but then whoever came in after me would have an even bigger mess to clean up, wouldn't they? ;)
People are afraid of change. They need to be nudged. Sometimes we as pastors are afraid to force change. However, if we don't challenge the people sitting in the pews to examine their lives, to examine their faith and reasons for being in church (i.e., being in church to be just a church goer or being in church to draw nearer to God), then we're not doing our jobs, and we will have to deal with that when we see God face to face.
Blessings!
Tony
Posted by: Tony | Sep 6, 2005 11:41:29 AM
