In all the excitement surrounding the call to be a “missional church” I find that there are still a few details that are in the process of being worked out. One of them has to do with developing some sort of understanding of what “commitment” looks like in the Body of Christ.
Now at one level some might feel that I am raising the wrong question for those of us in the “holiness tradition” have always viewed “commitment” as a “single-minded, whole-hearted” devotion to Christ. That standard has resonated with a clear call to “present ourselves as living sacrifices” to God. “Commitment” is found in a life that expresses that every word and action be done for God’s glory. But when we look at the issue through the eyes of today’s church culture the question is legitimate.
The “missional” mindset has shifted our attention from merely attending programs and services toward a renewed focus on people and relational ministry. We’ve moved away from being consumed with “attracting” people to our events and sought to send them into the world as Christ’s empowered servants. Gone are the days when people feel the need to be in church “every time the doors are opened.” But with it has come a new sense of “disconnection” to the local church.
In the church I pastor I’ve seen individuals become so busy as they engage in various aspects of the community that they that have little time or energy left to connect with the Body of Christ. Yes, they are active building lots of relationships and “doing good” but my pastoral heart wonders whether their connection to Christ is strong enough for them to make a “Kingdom difference.” I wonder if in the midst of all of their social networking they are giving attention to “spiritual formation.”
So I wrestle with the issue—seeking on the one hand to encourage people to be active followers of Jesus in the world—while proclaiming on the other hand the need for the “salt” to stay connected to Christ and His Church to the point that it can retain its saltiness.
I’ve got feelings about what commitment ought to look like but would like to know what you think. And by the way, if any of you could help me figure out how to express this missional ministry in my annual report, let me know.
About J. Scott Shaw
J. Scott Shaw has served for the last 17 years as the pastor of Bremerton, Washington, Church of the Nazarene. He is greatly challenged to experience the coming of God’s kingdom and the living out of His will in today’s world. He and his wife, Vicki, have two grown children, Jeff (newly married to Stephanie) and Katelyn, a student at Northwest Nazarene University. He enjoys reading the sports page, discovering the humorous things of life, and standing on his deck with BBQ tools in hand.
I must admit that I have thought a lot, and with much frustration about the idea of commitment and what that looks like with people my age. While many feel that any mention of “commitment” today scares people off, I think I’m finding that the definition may be extremely relevant except when it follows the actual word “commitment.” Here’s an example of how some of this might play out.
I’ve found that generations connect and build relationships differently and it is really visible as I attend a church where average age is over 55. The comment is always made by members at our church that they enjoy having young people around and then someone usually asks us over for dinner after church. It is obvious that they want to participate with people of a different age, and how they build a relationship is over dinner on a Sunday afternoon. Now, when talking and trying to get to know people that I have come into contact with at a variety of churches, I have found that while I may ask them over for dinner, it really is out of the norm for someone to have someone else over for dinner. It’s as if it’s too personal, or too out there to do that, or that it just doesn’t happen anymore. It’s not the first thing that comes to one’s mind, unlike with the church I currently attend where it is the first thing that comes to most people’s minds.
All that to say, people in both situations are looking to build relationships, but it takes place differently. “Commitment” scares people is what we hear, but then why are there all these people that do things as if it was their full time job, but without any pay and really without any acknowledgment? I think it’s because that person has found something they are passionate about. People like talking about what their ‘passions’ are, and like to commit to things that require a lot of time and priority but don’t require you to sign on the dotted line. I think the challenge then is to figure out how to help people who are passionate about doing good see how it really is a huge part of the mission of the church. To try to connect with people using the ways in which they connect with people. Hopefully moving those people toward the point where they see that we must jump all in in our faith journey, thus making the ultimate commitment. I can tell people they need to be more committed, I can even show them that I am committed, but I don’t know if they’ll truly be committed until they have realized that Christianity and being a Christ follower is not about themselves but about participating with God and His community. Just a few of my thoughts
This is an important question to consider. The missional mindset is absolutely correct in trying to correct the “come and see” philosophy of church with a “go and be” philosophy.
However, you are correct in being concerned that the people of God somehow feel less need to gather together regularly. This, too, is a key component of our growth and development into Christlikeness.
We must have balance here–either extreme become unhealthy.
Perhaps, though, the solution (or at least an important issue to consider) is related to our understanding of how we are to gather together. Perhaps the Sunday morning 1.5 hour service of singing, prayer, and a message can be reformed into something more meaningful and accessible to those of us who desire so much to be missional while at the same time being a part of the community.
I’ve often told people that a well-done Sunday School or small group is probably more like the type of gathering that Jesus intended that the scripted, formal services that we have made the center of our gathering together.
I’m an ordained minister in the COTN and I sometimes find myself disconnected during a typical worship service! I enjoy so much more gatherings that allow people to share and express themselves–where discipleship and growth can take place. Yes, commitment is necessary, but commitment to what?
I could write so much more…but the tropical morning is calling to me and I must go. Thank you, brother, for you post.
Doing Everything In Love…