The Volunteer Revolution (a review)
19.Jul.08 | book reviews |
Although the early church started out with this beautiful concept of the priesthood of all believers—with every member an active minister and good works carried forth in all directions—during the last couple of centuries, most churches have retreated to the Old Testament model. Here’s how it often plays out:
A group of a hundred people get together, decide to form a congregation, and “hire a minister.” …Then they say to their new minister… ‘Preach. Teach. Marry. Bury. Make hospital calls. Visit members. Counsel the confused. Evangelize the community. Raise money. Print the bulletins. Do announcements. Pray for the sick. Then, come year end, we’ll get out our report cards and determine whether you have met our expectations. If you have, we’ll sign you up for another year. If not, we’ll hire someone else.’
…The congregation hires “the clergy” to do the ministry.
So the church ends up with a few overworked professionals, paid by the tithes and offerings of the congregation ot fulfill the whole gamut of priestly functions, while everybody else remains passive observers, their gifts and talents atrophying from disuse.
This is the most widely practiced ministry paradigm in existence today—and it doesn’t have a shred of biblical support. Tragically, this approach has left many contemporary churches in shambles: weak, unorganized, and powerless. And unfortunately, it’s a tough mindset to change. (pg. 62)
When I read these words in a book written by Bill Hybels I was a little taken a back because if you didn’t know who wrote it or aren’t aware it could sound very much like something from Emergent Village. Hybels published this book back in 2004. It makes me wonder how much more we have in common with each other than we truly realize. From much of the rhetoric that gets thrown out in bloggy-land you’d think we were arch-rivals. Hopefully we can begin to find more of a middle-ground and set aside our differences for the greater good of the Kingdom.
I was impressed with this book and although at times it felt “elementary” and “simple” it was a good refresher with great reminders not only for myself but for the church at large. I enjoyed many of the stories and it certainly gave a great glimpse into the world that is Willow Creek Community Church.
Eric |
19.Jul.08 @ 10:57 am
A) It’s funny. For not seeming to like him too much, you sure read a lot of Hybels.
B) How is Willow Creek addressing this? I feel like they are practicing this “ministry paradigm” as much as anyone?
monts |
21.Jul.08 @ 9:14 am
A) Good observation!
It’s “required” reading for one of the church-planting organizations I’m partnering with… there’s still one more on the shelf to tackle—”Courageous Leadership”.
B) I’m not really sure they are addressing it because I’m not sure they would agree that this is the paradigm they’re practicing. All throughout the book Hybels gave story after story about how they empower and equip their people to step out into volunteer roles. Hybels did admit that they don’t have it 100% perfected by any stretch of the imagination, however he does say that they are continually striving to make it better. He made it sound as if this was the original paradigm they fell under but have since moved away from it and are working towards integrating the “Priesthood of all Believers” paradigm into the culture.
My guess is that a) they’re still feeling some of the affects of this as a past paradigm in their culture and b) those that come in from different churches and have the non-biblical ministry paradigm ingrained in their DNA are slowing the process. I think it’ll take a long time before they see a complete culture shift in their volunteerism, not because they’re not trying or working hard to correct it, but because it’s such a large organism that culture change like that will come extremely slowly.
This may be one of the biggest knocks against getting so large as a church–it takes a long time to change and shift directions because of your size…