In our association the mission statement is simply "Assisting Churches in Multiplying Kingdom Servants". The focus is on the local church and the role of the association in helping that church fulfill its God-given mission of multiplication in the Kingdom. No one believes that the Church of the early 21st century has it all together to get its job done completely. Enough has been said about its woes and weaknesses. As associational directors of missions, we face a multitude of variations on healthy/unhealthy churches. What should be our approach in addressing these situations?
I have found it fascinating to consider the differences in the nuances of words such as renewal, revival, restoration, renovation, reconstruction, and rebirth as they might apply to church change. Some overlap obviously exists among the terms, but a definite uniqueness also exists. Do we serve churches that might need more of one than of another?
Renewal is the foundational concept for major efforts to bring new life to our churches as sponsored by our convention. It comes in multiple forms each with its own carefully laid out procedures and processes.
Rebirth is also gaining ground as a way to help a congregation gracefully pass out of existence even as they see their heritage lay the foundation for the beginnings of a new ministry.
What of revival, restoration, renovation, and reconstruction? Do these terms offer us any insight into how we can help a congregation reach a conclusion about possible change within its life?
Revival is a bringing back to life, to use, or back to prominence or attention. This makes sense if what we had in the beginning is what we want now. If we are only bringing back what didn't work before, this is just a deadend and waste of God's time and ours.
Restoration is also the return of something to a former, original, normal, or unimpaired condition. If a church is facing difficulty now, is it because its origins were flawed or because flaws entered into its life? Again bringing back the old may not be the best goal.
Renovation and reconstruction may offer a new perspective as goals are set and plans made for the future of a church. A major sign on a town business site announced renovation was coming to an old structure and a new business was coming in. The actual work was a bit more than what might have been expected. The renovation included the complete removal of the old building, and a new structure from the ground up was built in its place. That is major renovation!
Such renovation and reconstruction in the life of a church allows major evaluation and analysis to guide the setting of goals and action plans. Tradition and history have to take their appropriate place in the scheme of determining what is the purpose of the worshiping community. Entire structures might be eliminated because they no longer fulfill the purpose of the congregation if they ever did. Internal design will have to change. Public image will have to change.
Purpose will determine design of reconstruction and methodology of operation. A beautiful time piece does no one any good if it is kept in a box. You may hear the ticking, but it is useless for telling the time. Our churches may have some sense of their purpose, but if that purpose is buried beneath philosophical and organizational walls that hide it from the world, then they can accomplish little if anything for the Kingdom of God. The manmade coverings must be removed so that the salt and light of the Church can become active.
Are our churches ready to face such a radical form of renovation and reconstruction? Can many of them survive if they don't?
