Shifting Our Thinking - Part 3

Continuing on through the three shifts highlighted in the book Missional Renaissance by Reggie McNeal, I am up to the second shift, from program development to people development. This shift seems very subtle at first glance, but once you fully grasp this concept you will see that this is a monumental shift in current church thinking and actions. "The key idea is moving away from a program-driven church culture... [where] the church takes its measure from the quality of its programs rather than the quality of its people... In the program-driven church, you begin with programs and look for people to make them happen. In a people development-driven culture, you begin with people and then use established programs or whatever else it takes to help them grow."

So what's the difference? Reggie uses a brilliant analogy in his book. He answers the question, what would the YMCA look like if it operated like a program-driven church? He states that the resident trainer would probably challenge us to prove our commitment to the Y by getting on all the machines in the room, and he would show us a picture of Mr. Universe to reinforce our goals and predetermined regimen. Sounds a bit silly, doesn't it. But, what does the YMCA do? According to Reggie, the resident trainer simply asked him, "What would you like to accomplish at the Y?" He continues, "Based on my response, he customized for me a path through that room. He didn't let his training overpower me. I'm sure one quick look at me had him thinking of several things I should have wanted to accomplish on those machines. But he invited me into the discussion, he earned my trust and made me more receptive to his advice."

Where and when does spiritual growth take place? Is it through weekly church activities? Perhaps. Should it also take place as we go through life, each and every day? Absolutely. We know that we need to grow closer to the Lord, but how and who is going to help us? When we invest in others and invite them into our lives we offer to them the support they need, and we receive the support we need to grow. The church is a group of believers that are living life and learning to love the Lord, together. It takes each of us to develop healthy believers. Why else would there be so many "one-anothers" in Scripture?

We can debate forever how we got into this predicament, but ask yourself, "Are people better off for being a part of this church, or are they just tireder and poorer?" If you have no idea how the people in your church are doing spiritually (or you know they are struggling), that is a pretty good sign that we have been measuring the wrong things, the successes of our programs and not the successes of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Let me end with one more quote from Reggie. "We should feed hungry people. But when their stomachs are full, we should also teach them or mentor them or find them work, whatever we can do to elevate their capacity to provide for themselves. This moves them from being mere charity cases to being people. This turns our external ministry from being just another program of engaging church people in activity into engaging them with people as God's partner in his redemptive mission. God is not more interested in developing people inside the church than those outside it." Boy, that sure sounds like it's going to take a lot of time and will probably be pretty messy. You bet it will.

May you be the resident trainer to those around you who need to begin a workout with Jesus, and in doing so may you be the blessing to others and be blessed as well.

Shiloh