Doing Church and Being Church

I’ve been having a great “chat” with my brother-in-law concerning the reality of ministry. He’s just graduated from seminary and has a head and a heart full of great learning. He’s eager to see what he can and can’t put into practice.

I feel it’s my responsibility to be as honest with such a dialogue as possible. The great ideas we read in books regarding the paradigm shift of the Church from a Christendom mentality to a practiced communal faith and life are just that — things we read in books.

Oh, they are happening somewhere. Someone has witnessed them. But not usually the ones who read the books.

I’m discovering that Christian life — being a follower of Jesus in relationship with other followers — is far more improvised than I read it described it books.

To truly be a follower of Jesus places us at odds with lots of folks. As a pastor who is a follower of Jesus, that sometimes means I’m even at odds with those who have been Christians longer than I’ve been alive.

It’s not easy. But it’s rewarding to know that we’re being obedient. It’s rejuvenating to see God actually working. It’s the stuff that someday could be the makings of a book.

But I’d rather live it than read it.

SO TELL ME:
Are you “in vocational ministry” and trying to “live it?”

SO TELL ME SOMETHING ELSE:
What’s it like for you?
——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.

Related Posts:

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Category: Christianity, Emergent, Ministry, Mission, Pastoring, Progressive, Sacramental Living, The Church, Theology 2 comments »

2 Responses to “Doing Church and Being Church”

  1. Mark
    May 16th, 2007 at 5:33 pm

    I am a senior pastor of a small to medium size church in the deep south. I must confess I wish I had you enthusiasm in facing opposition inside my church (or the church in general). There are many days when my understandings of God and what He is doing in the world seem very much at odds with the prevalent southern Christian mindset. When those days come to often or to close together I must confess it can seem overwhelming. However I am sustained with the firm belief that the redemptive power of God is not thwarted by my own lack of wisdom or that of the believers that fill our pews on Sunday. It is my prayer that I might humbly and faithfully serve, where ever it is that He leads.
  2. David Lawson
    August 24th, 2007 at 2:07 pm

    I have enjoyed reading your blog. I saw it today for the first time and have read several pages of your thoughts. This one specifically challenged me. I am on staff at a church in Jacksonville, FL and am leading the ministry at our newest campus in south GA. While many books have helped shape the ‘how’ we go about planting a church, they are not to become the ‘who’ we are as followers of Christ.

    There is a disconnect between what we read or are taught and how church is in the ‘real’ world. The pattern then becomes trying to make our world look like the one in the book or just quitting because ‘it didn’t work.’ There aren’t many people who can understand principles and adapt them.

    Anyways….I glad I got in touch with Heather (facebook) and she sent me your blog address.

Leave a Reply



↑ Back to top