Fast Company, Willow Creek & the Business World

The December/January print edition of Fast Company will include a fascinating article, available to you now on-line, entitled, "How Willow Creek is Leading Evangelicals by Learning From the Business World". It is a longer article but worth the read, especially if you want a case study in mixing practical (in this case, business) wisdom with ministry philosophy.

While most of the article features Willow's Leadership Summits, I am intrigued by:

1. The insights into Bill Hybels as a man and a leader. For instance, "I've been put in a position of influence, and reading is one of the most economical ways to get better at it."
2. The tensions over Willow's intentional embrace of "secular" wisdom. How would you respond to David Wells critical comment? "Willow Creek has confused what leadership is in a company and what it must be in a church. We're in a very different orbit from the corporate world. Our objective is night-and-day different."
3. Common quote attributed to Calvin, "all truth is God's truth." Actual quote from his Institutes, "If we believe the Spirit of God is the only fountain of truth, we shall neither reject nor despise the truth itself where it shall appear, unless we wish to insult the Spirit of God." That, of course, frames the discussion around "truth". But is it better framed around "wisdom", and, if so, what difference does that make?
4. Willow's amazing international influence--"some 53% of the Willow Creek Association's nearly 9,000 congregations are now overseas"-- yet recognizing that the model hasn't worked everywhere, "Two years ago, the association quit India; the cost of putting on an event there...was prohibitive." Intriguing, in part, due to the reality that India is both an emerging global influence (especially in business) and home to a significant portion of the remaining "unreached" peoples for the gospel. That is one location I would expect to be a very high priority.

Of course, it is important to bear in mind, as with any article, you are getting the "author's perspective", and not all can possibly reflect the reality or views of Willow. But it is still a helpful (10-15 minute) read.

Thanks, Willow, and thanks, Fast Company.

Q Conference

ABC News did an interesting interview at the Q Conference on the "End of Christianity", as embraced by, well, Christians.

Thoughts?

Evangelizing Protestants: Catholics Come Home

Those involved in witness in the US (and many global contexts) often encounter individuals of the Roman Catholic background--at times practicing, more often than not, not. In this context it is helpful to be aware of Roman Catholic efforts to call their lapsed (and other unchurched and underchurched individuals) home.

Chris Castaldo, Pastor of Outreach at College Church, Wheaton, has written a Speaking Out column for Christianity Today entitled, "Catholics Come Home?" If you are unfamiliar with these efforts, it may be a quick introduction for you.

The Apostolic Church Planter -- Paul's Work

Interesting thought:

We are wise to observe that Paul planted approximately 13 churches in his lifetime. The apostle was far more concerned with building quality—"gold, silver, and precious stone"—than he was with amassing big numbers (see 1 Cor. 3).

Except from Why Organic Church Is Not Exactly a Movement

Evangelicals - Living Up to our Name?

Philip Yancey wrote a final column for the back page of Christianity Today, O Evangelicos! His final line:

Some of my friends believe we should abandon the word evangelical. I do not. I simply yearn for us to live up to the meaning of our name.

What do you think?

An Internet Campus - Who Gathers?

Internet campuses for the body of Christ are emerging. Notable in this category is Church OnLine, from LifeChurch.TV. But who chooses to connect (worship? fellowship? learn?) in this fashion?

Bobby Gruenewald of LifeChurch.TV indicates for groups who choose do so (extracted from Outreach Magazine, "Catalyst for Creativity", July/August 2009, pate 86):

Distant: People who are outside the physical reach of the church
Curious: People who would prefer to explore their interest in spirituality in an online context
Mobile: People who are part of our church, but are looking for an option to worship together because they are traveling or displaced
Digital:People who prefer to experience much of their community in an online context

They are hearing accounts of changed lives from people around the globe. A sign of things to come?

Are you curious what an on-line church experience is like (but not wanting to take the time or make the effort to experience it)? Here is an introduction from LifeChurch.TV

God is...Online from BlueDoorMinistries on Vimeo.

The Coming Evangelical Collapse - Scenario Planning?

I have begun to lead (in a very limited way) a group of national leaders in scenario planning. It is a fascinating exercise of which I am only beginning to learn the art and science. But I read this morning a fascinating scenario by the Internet Monk, Michael Spencer. Extrapolating from the current drift of Evangelicalism, he predicts its collapse in an article bearing that title, "The Coming Evangelical Collapse".

Spencer lists seven reasons for the collapse (written fuller and better than here), but their essence (for your quick read and reflection) are:

1. Evangelicals identification with the culture war and with political conservatism.
2. Failure to pass on to our young people an orthodox form of faith that can take root and survive the secular onslaught.
3. Current models of the evangelical church.
4. A self-serving educational system.
5. The culture’s increased rejection of the “good works” evangelicals seek to do.
6. A waning vitality of the Bible Belt.
7. Declining financial resources.

Read his article for yourself.

Suppose he is right. How will this effect witness in the future? How will it effect ministries dedicated to evangelism and gospel ministry? How will it effect you?

Thoughts?

Missional Church - A Definition

"So a working definition of missional church is a community of God's people that defines itself, and organizes its life around, its real purpose of being an agent of God's mission to the world. In other words, the church's true and authentic organizing principle is missions."

Alan Hirsch, The Forgotten Ways, pg 82

Seven Summers to Change History

Here is a thoughtful (one-minute) question...

Missional Reading

Want a good primer on Missional readings? Look this one over...

http://blindbeggar.org/?page_id=381

Thanks to the blind beggar!

Reveal: Lessons in Research (for the body of Christ)

Since I dabble in research (really knowing only enough to know I don't really know), I found Dr. Bradley Wright's cautionary analysis of the Willow Creek Association's attention-getting book, Reveal, very insightful.

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2008/01/reveal_revisite.html#more

Now I know I really need to know more about research.