from: naked pastor
I believe every institution’s unstated first goal is to survive and grow, not to undertake the mission it has nominally claimed for itself. So even if our church claims to be about authenticity and relationship, that may not be true. We may actually be willing to sacrifice true relationship for the sake of the perpetuity of the institution. I feel it is urgent to consider this. I realize this is a sobering thought, but I believe we need to be honest about this to-the-death tension that exists between institutions (particularly the church) and people if we are concerned with the wellness and freedom of human beings.
(via)
Related posts:
- why can’t we all just get along?
- christian leaders=business managers.
- I’m a whore
- questions: relationships—outside (or cultural ignorance)
- i’m so disgusted right now
hey thanks for the great mention. i appreciate it!! do you exchange links? i’d be honored. blessings!! (haywardart@gmail.com)
Glad you’re back and glad the move is going well… hope T finishes up well in Decatur.
Interesting post. I didn’t like it at first, so I read it a few more times and still don’t like it because of one word…
There is a legitimate tension that exist between an institution’s or even a person’s more nobel missions of love, truth, authenticity, saving the world, etc.. and the lesser goals of continued existance or growth or having people like us. So, let’s acknowlege that tension, look for signs that we’re leaving our true mission and figure out how to encourage each other to get back to what is true and right and pure and lovely…
The word I don’t like is “nominal” When n.p. says “not to undertake the mission it has nominally claimed for itself” he makes it sound like my mission or my company or my church’s mission is just for show. That deep down what I really want is to survive and grow. Can I act like that? Do I act like that? Absolutely! But I hate it. I hate it with a passion. And the fact that I hate it, makes me think that it’s not nominal, but I need others around me to help me recognize those moments and not get stuck in the survive and grow at all costs mentally.
That’s it… happy Monday : )
I’ll probably read this again tomorrow and disagree with myself…
I hear what you’re saying Mike, however, even if you take out the word “nominally” i think it still comes across in the quote in an implied manner… but then we’re really just talking semantics.
i resonated a lot with this quote, especially after recent events in d-town… i saw it played out first hand. i would argue, however, that this is not a universal truth—maybe that’s the eternal optimist in me. i’d like to think there are a few churches out there that value the person over the organization. but then again, i have a question: “why does this have to be an either/or instead of a both/and?” can’t we find the win/win?
Totally agree that it’s a both/and from the standpoint of developing authentic relationships and growing a healthy organization, whether it’s a group of 10 or 1,000.. I assume that’s what you’re after to some extent?
BTW. We had one of our best discussions on our church blog related to the ‘worship industry’ video you posted. Gracias!
i’m glad to hear the video sparked some great discussion!
yes, i think that’s what i’m getting at…