Controversial Book by Skye Jethani

Without a doubt, Skye Jethani's The Divine Commodity has been one of the best and most provocative reads of 2008 for me. It's a scathing analysis of what church has become. Today is a blog tour for Skye - who is the managing editor of Leadership Journal, so I asked him a question:

You wrote about the move among churches from collaboration to competition. I totally see this. In fact, the very churches that advocate cooperation seem to be the most ruthless at gobbling up "market share." How do we get back from here?

"This can be answered from a number of altitudes—theologically, socially, relationally, etc.—but let’s tackle this question on the practical level. Churches communicate their real values by what they do with their time, space, money, and people. If we’re going to get serious about cooperation, then it must impact all four of these elements. Here are some examples....

 

"Time—What if the church allotted some of the pastoral staff’s time to help another church in the community? For example, one church has an experienced youth minister and the church across town has just hired a 22-year-old fresh out of bible school to lead their youth group with virtually no ministry experience. For the first church to release their youth pastor 2 hours every week to mentor the younger guy would represent an investment of time.

 

"Space—Most church buildings are woefully underutilized six days every week. Why not invite other area churches to use your facilities, particularly churches that don’t have their own buildings? I know of some churches that use their facilities to “incubate” new congregations before they launch out in the community.

 

"Money—This one is a no brainer, but often the most contentious. Francis Chan has led his church to create a budget in which 50% of their income is given away. I know a church led by Greg Shipman in Columbia South Carolina that has regularly given large checks to neighboring churches. And in my own area, outside Chicago, there’s a new church plant that’s made the news for giving away 100% of their offerings. Many churches feel threatened when a new congregation is planted in their town, why not help get it started by putting some dollars behind it? Turn a “competitor” into a “cooperator.”

 

"People—Here’s what gets me really excited. Most churches believe that in order to have an impact in the community they need to start ministry programs. In some cases this may be true, but why does everything have to be under our church’s banner? Rick McKinley from Imago Dei in Portland, Oregon, likes to say “No logo, no ego.” As people in your church sense God’s calling and discern their giftedness, why not engage them outside your church’s programming? If First Baptist down the street already has a homeless ministry going, why do you have to start one at your church? Instead, send your volunteers who are passionate about caring for the homeless over to First Baptist to help. In fact, what if a church began with a commitment to launch no programs that already exist with a 5 mile radius? Instead the church commits to releasing God’s people to help build and support the efforts already underway by their brothers and sisters who happen to worship in different location on Sunday. That is real cooperation."

Comments

[Ron]

On the last point, "start no new program...release people to support [other churches] efforts..." I would simply say some people like being creative and constructive. To focus on not building but supporting could be counter productive.

[Ben]

Ron I think Skye understands these efforts to be building. For example, what if the local megachurch which has a deep, rotating bench of worship leaders, would help another local congregation's music ministry? Man, that seems productive to me.

[dewde]

Wow. If I were in ministry, that would be like a boot to the head. Now I'm not sure if I should be relieved that I'm not in ministry or embarrassed that I'm not in ministry. Cuz at least the kids in ministry are trying.

Good stuff either way Ben.

peace|dewde

[Derek]

We are so prideful. We say things like, "My church could do it better", Or "I won't have CONTROL of things over there". We must be willing to see things through God's Kingdom eyes. Great stuff.

[Skye Jethani]

Ron,

I don't think its a bad idea to start new programs, and thankfully God has blessed the church with creative, apostolic types to do these new works. The issue is whether or not to start redundant programs. If someone else two blocks away already has a divorce recovery ministry, do we need one too?

Skye

[Jim Gray]

I agree with this. Great article. I've seen the church with it's corporate deal going and the other that's wide open. I know a lot of new churches that are part of a co-op movement. But, in a small town like the one I'm in, this can be seen as competition.

[Nick Shoemaker]

I'm just gonna say it:

If you don't love this thought process, you're part of the problem not the solution.

"For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks (or Baptists or Nazarenes or Pentecostals or Lutherans), whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many." 1 Cor 12:12-14

I'd encourage ALL OF US to read the 12th chapter of 1st Corinthians- it'll blow your mind.

Thanks Ben. Thanks Skye. Thank God!

~NjS

[Jason Chatraw]

I think the last idea is the most feasible for churches to begin doing right away, even in secular settings.

At our church, Boise Vineyard, for example, when we got involved with caring for the environment four years ago, we claimed no expertise and joined up with secular organizations all over the state. As a result, we've developed incredible relationships and have had the opportunity--and credibility--to share the love of Christ with these people we've worked side-by-side with.