A challenge for most mainline Protestant churches is growth both in numbers and spirituality (better known as evangelism) particularly when compared to the Evangelical movement. We will take a look at some thoughts on addressing this issue by the writer of Ephesians and a more contemporary author.
From Ephesians:
3:20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
1. What does this benediction tell us about God’s power? Do you think that the presence of the Spirit can help us do “far more than all we can ask or imagine’? Have you experienced this in a congregational setting? What made it happen? How can we connect with this power more often?
More from Ephesians:
1-3In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
4-6You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.
1. In what way does the writer address the congregation with his request? What might that say about the state of things with those whom he is writing? Do you think that he suppose that living this way is easy, the natural thing to do?
2. What attributes does he list as keys to living a worthy life? When has this been a personal or congregational challenge? What is the goal we should strive for in living a worthy life?
3. What seems to be the most important factor for us to move in the direction that God wants to lead us? Do you think that the quality of relationships that exist in a congregation are an important factor in its effectiveness?
In Unbinding the Gospel Martha Grace Reese suggests that there are three key relationships which result in a vital congregational life. Read the notes from her book below:
Martha Grace Reese served for five years as pastor of Carmel Christian Church (DOC). She led a national four year study of mainline churches which was funded by the Lilly Endowment. This initiative was designed to identify and analyze highly effective examples of evangelism by congregations in seven mainline denominations. The project focused primarily on the motivations for mainline evangelism across a broad geographical, cultural and theological spectrum, as well as the means, structures and systemic realities that encourage evangelism. It included 1000 interviews and surveys as well as congregational visits.
Unbinding the Gospel details her findings and opinions about the characteristics of a vital, growing mainline congregation. The characteristic she used to identify a ‘strong’ church is one which performs an average of five or more adult baptisms a year over a five year period.
Relationship – from Unbinding the Gospel
I want to use the trinity of God as a metaphor for the way these (healthy) churches live, operate and do evangelism. These churches all have three sets of relationships that are distince yet which constantly interact and affect each other. These three set of relationships are 1 – with God, 2 – between church members and, 3 – with people outside the church.
God works powerfully through these three sets of relationships in healthy churches. These great churches, large and small, have a spider-web wholeness about them. Touch one area of the web, and ripples shimmer across the entire surface.
With God: We asked for the best piece of advice they could give someone who is trying to help people become Christians. One of the most frequent answers advised that our relationships with God are the foundation stone of who we are as Christians. Pastors often say, “As pastor, I can’t teach what I don’t know.”
Churches that emphasize a growing relationship with God for its members, board and pastor are different than “normal” churches. I don’t want to sound critical, but visiting one of these vibrant churches makes attending many of our mainline congregations feel like going to a Lions Club meeting – a good thing, certainly, but not the real thing.
Within the Church: Yet when people were asked to describe this congregation, the two most frequent responses were that it was ‘friendly’ and ‘its like family here.’’ Here’s the question; Do you tell people in your church what’s going on in your life? (Not could you, but do you?)
The more the Spirit is leading each person and each group, the more conflict recedes. The more the Spirit is leading, the more creativity, energy, and outward focus are freed to go into gear. People in love with God and serving each other live with joy.
Outside the Church: Evangelistic churches live out real life, real relationship – with God and with each other. And, contrary to what happens in other places, what happens in church doesn’t stay in church. Lives are transformed in the congregation. Those changes move out into everyone’s lives and in all their other relationships. The power of the living church can’t stop at the door, or it will turn inward and fade.
Some of Her Thoughts on Unbinding
In a … book I read as a girl, Miss Cornelia, staunch pillar of the Presbyterian church, asked one of her friends about another woman’s health. “Oh,” Susan said, “I’m afraid she is going to have to rely on the Lord now.” “Oh, no!” Miss Cornelia responded, “Surely it isn’t as bad as all that.”
How’s it going under your own steam? Is it time to try to hand this church to God? Things change when people surrender time, choices and decisions to God. Are you ready to try it? Whatever you try won’t be perfect… But there really is a God. And we need to decide if we’re going to let God work through us and do miracles that accomplish amazing, unexpected things among us.
4. What is your reaction to her assessment, where do you agree and what does not ring true for you? What would you like to see happen in your church based on the observations she made? What needs to change in order for a new direction to be set in our personal and congregational life?
Back to Ephesians:
7 But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift...
11-13He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
14-16No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
1. What seems to be God’s way for the power at work within us to manifest itself? What is the purpose of that work? What do we do well in encouraging the development and use of individual spiritual gifts? What good things have you seen come from individuals using their gifts? How might we encourage the stewardship of spiritual gifts?
2. What danger are we warned of by the writer? What are some things that get us as individuals and a congregation off the track of leading a life worthy of the calling?
Closing Prayer
Holy One, whose love has been poured into our hearts through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit, and who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish far more than we can ask or imagine, we pray that you would equip us for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. Amen.
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