The Forgotten Ways – Chapter 1
Posted by Brad BriscoMar 12
We continue our discussion of “The Forgotten Ways” by Alan Hirsch by looking at chapter one. Remember chapter one can be downloaded from Hirsch’s website, however after that you will have to purchase a copy, but I think you will discovery that it is clearly worth the buy.
In chapter one, titled “Setting the Scene” and subtitled “Confessions of a Frustrated Missionary” Hirsch tells a bit of his own story as leader of South Melbourne Restoration Community. Hirsch shares how he and his wife were brought to the church as a kind of last ditch effort to revive a church that had experienced birth, growth and decline in its 140 year history. Through the process the Hirschs came to the conclusion that they wanted to be involved in a church that was highly participatory (much more than the 20:80 rule) and missional.
Hirsch provides a good contrast between the typical church growth principles that are used today to grow a contemporary church and the essential components that best describes the nature of the church. Hirsch states “if you wish to grow a contemporary church following good church growth principles, there are several things you must do and constantly improve upon:
1. Expand the building for growth.
2. Ensure excellent preaching that relates to the life of the hearers.
3. Develop an inspiring worship service with an excellent band.
4. Make certain you have excellent parking facilities.
5. Ensure excellent programs for children and youth.
6. Develop a program of cell groups rooted in a Christian ed model.
7. Make sure that next week is better than last week.
In contrast to the above, Hirsch discusses the nature of, or innate purpose of the church according to scriptures:
1. A covenanted community
2. Centered on Jesus Christ (“Jesus is Lord”).
3. Worship, defined as offering our lives back to God through Jesus.
4. Discipleship, defined as following Jesus & becoming like him.
5. Mission, defined as extending the mission of God through the activities of the covenanted community.
In the last section of the chapter, and my favorite, Hirsch discribes the practices that their faith community “came up with” as:
1. The basic ecclesial (church) unit was to become much smaller so as to transform from the active:passive ratio from 20:80 to 80:20.
2. They would not devleop a philosophy of ministry per se, but rather a covenant and core practices.
3. Each group had to be engaged in a healthy diet of spiritual disciplines, following the TEMPT model:
T: Together we follow — community focused.
E: Engage Scripture — integrating Bible into life.
M: Mission — missional activities bring cohesion.
P: Passion for Jesus — worship and prayer.
T: Transformation — character development & accountability.
4. They would organize the movement in three basic rhythms: a weekly cycle of TEMPT groups, a monthly regional meeting of TEMPT groups, and a biannual gathering of all the groups in a movement-wide network.
5. Each TEMPT group would covenant to multiply itself as soon as it is organically feasible and possible.
What aspect of Hirsch’s assessment speaks to you? How does your current faith community fit with Hirsch’s perspective? How might our current networks/gatherings in KC and Newton “take on” such practices?
5 comments
Comment by Rustin on March 13, 2007 at 11:55 am
In the “typical church growth principles” list, the focus and goal is clearly numerical growth. In the second list (innate purpose of the church), there are clear expectations placed on the participants (not just that they show up on Sunday!).
And while neither approach has to be exclusive from the other (tying to be generous here), it is a fact that you focus on what you measure. It’s hard to feed the beast of church growth and still have time for the practices that the second list require.
Comment by BradB on March 13, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Good point Rustin, after reading your comment and looking again at the contrast of the two lists I was reminded of the Home Depot slogon; “You Can Do It, We Can Help” which I think fits well with a focus on the expectations placed on the participants, but the typical church based on church growth principles has it the other way around, “We (the Church) Can Do It, You Can Help.”
Comment by Georges Boujakly on March 14, 2007 at 7:34 am
Brad,
Thanks for your work in summarizing this chapter.
Being generous to the church growth movement is a good thing as Rustin says. I am feeling generous today, too.
Yes the CGM sought to focus on winning more lost people to the cause of Christ. They saw this as the task of the church. They sought also to win many believers to work for Christ’s casue. Their motives were to deepen the faith of workers by winning the lost. It was drilled into me that the work (discipline, though not spoken of in these terms) of evangelism is the best way to grow spiritually. (BTW, we still “suffer” from a hierarchy of “good works” with winning the lost being better than feeding, etc… the poor and needy; and service being better than contemplative living. It’s Mother Theresa verus Billy Graham when the “versus” was never God’s intent.
In motivation one cannot fault the CGM. Its goals in doing what they saw the task of the church for their day were to accomplish the 5 comparatives of Hirsh and the TEMPT ideals for healthy groups. If one looks at the CG principles and sees them as a means to an end (Hirsh’s 5 points and TEMPT) it is not hard to show historically the failure (in part) of the attempt. I say in part because many of us came to Christ because of the zeal of the CGM. Some deepened their faith in their zeal to win the lost. But a general failure to do life as a deepened journey of faith with Christ is a serious matter. CGM’s truncated view in this matter is glaring back at us today. However, to fail trying is good.
Now a new chapter is being written by God that will hopefully accomplish the goals of Christlikeness in being and doing and reach the ideal for which the CGM was aiming at. God is still unwilling that any should perish.
Hirsh’s correctives are well thought out in the midst of a praxology of faith. They are also ontologically true to the aims of God in history. Yet, as time passes, there will be another movement that will bring further corrections to Hirsh’s work… and this ad infinitum… I admit it is hard today to see how improvement can be done on Hirsh’s principles.
Each generation of Christ followers is called by God to follow Christ as best they understand, and further the work of the kingdom as best they understand. May our generation be as faithful in trying as the CGM did.
Comment by BradB on March 14, 2007 at 8:21 am
Georges
I like your observation concerning the hierarchy of good works and the Mother T. vs. Billy G. dichotomy that was never intended.
Comment by Jamie on March 15, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Something inside me came alive as I read, “We wanted to transform from a static, geographically located church to a dynamic movement across our city.” and “We wanted the majority of community members to become active and directly involved in the journey of becoming like Jesus.”
I am tired of trying to diagram and flow chart these dreams into reality. They must be modeled and fleshed out. But am I willing to lead the charge in fleeing from “comfort”, “convenience”, “safety” and security”?
I think our community is beginning to see the picture Alan is painting, but we need more passion in action to make it real.
Brad, I love your use of the Home Depot slogan. Churches needs to own that! Thanks for the great summary of Chapter One!