The Dissipation of the Congregation

It’s an (unfortunate) axiom that organizational change largely occurs when chaos is introduced into the system.  That can occur either externally (read: Covid-19) or internally via bold decisions by leadership to introduce the chaos that creates the conditions for change.

Had a chat with some church leaders the other day about their thoughts on how the current chaos is impacting leadership thinking on future changes to church life.  The conversation was around the opportunity to shift away from pastoral staff functioning to ‘fill gaps’ in a centrally defined system of ministry programming, to releasing people into what they are gifted to be & do. 

The pandemic-forced dissipation & scattering of the congregation is causing an opportunity to re-think the ministry & staffing approach of churches.

I see the shift in thinking progressing like this:

• If indeed there is a priesthood of all believers,
• If indeed ALL are gifted in a way that builds the Kingdom of God and the Church (the Body not the corporation),
• If indeed the role of church leadership is to ‘equip the saints for the work of service’ to which they are called by virtue of the gifts God Himself has given them,

THEN…church staff & leaderships’ role changes FROM program and vision-casters/managers TO net-workers, brokers & trainers.  The agenda of the church moves away from being centrally defined & becomes clear ONLY as its members gifts are known, developed and released to be expressed.

Implications:

• It will be messy for staff.  Some won't make it.  Some will need re-training of mindset and skills. But it might make them feel like they are finally developing others rather than slotting them into positions.
• Corporate expression will have a dynamic & messy element to it.
• Christians just may be more involved with each other and in their communities, as they find the joy & freedom of serving according to their giftedness.
• Christian consumers who demand programming to satisfy their kids or their religiosity won’t like it and will leave (that’s a blessing). 

Carpe Chao

(Seize the Chaos)