Thursday, February 12, 2009

Neoformation Manifesto: Act 5

I know there are thieves in the temple.

Theft is unconscionable. To steal anything from anyone is such a claim of personal pride and a statement of conceit.


And I know that pastors have stolen the ministry from their congregations.


And I know that at times, I’ve been guilty of this as well, and for this, I’m deeply sorry.


But now, I know that I long to share it.


I know that I long to raise up leaders. Leaders who are self-less servants whose goal it is to raise up other leaders, sometimes even abdicating their own leadership, in favor of others who can do what they do better.


I know that ministry isn’t…until it’s shared…until it’s given away…and until it’s laid upon the altar of pride as one’s Isaac.


I know that it is time to teach our members how to administer the sacraments. Oh yes, I did! I said that. There is not one place in the Bible which suggests that the administration of the sacraments is relegated to the “professionals.” So, “professionals,” get off your high horse willingly, before you’re brought low against your will. It’s not like you were given a bag of magic “pastor-dust” with which to sprinkle the bread and the juice, and babies and folks who get dipped.


Heck, while we’re at it, let’s teach our children to administer the sacraments as well. Oh, mom, can you imagine your child shooting you with their squirt gun saying, “I baptize you in the name of Jesus, mommy!” Or papa, how about your child breaking off a part of their peanut-butter and jelly sandwich, handing it to you saying, “This is Jesus’ body, daddy…I broke it for you...have a drink of my Kool-aid, daddy, it’s Jesus’ blood…because He loves you so much, and so do I.”


I know that I cannot wait to see parents having communion at home; mommies giving communion to their children; fathers baptizing their families and vice versa.


Yes, I know in my heart, that theft is unconscionable. I know that seminaries serve their purpose to a certain extent. But I also know that seminaries steal our passion and dignify it…tame it…tone it down and try to make it “appropriate.”


I know that passion can never be “appropriate,” the moment it is, it has ceased to be passion. And friends, the church of Jesus Christ…if it is His bride, cannot help but to be passionate. If it’s not, then it’s not being true to Him…it is being an unfaithful bride…dare I say, it is not being the Church.


I know that the local church should be the seminary. Local churches which meet in churchy buildings…coffee shops…malls…schools…living rooms…and even on the internet…should be seminaries. And not just paper writin’ book-learnin’ seminaries. No, seminaries which prepare pastors for the battle which will be waged for their souls and reputations, the safety of their families, and for the eternities of those to whom they’ll minister. Seminaries need to tell the truth, that pastors are sheep sent out amongst wolves…and that some will be devoured by the enemy. Seminaries need to gird pastors for this battle, and put them in touch with others who are warriors so they may stand together.


Yes, local churches must raise up leaders who are passionate in their faith.


Local churches should teach the Bible and explore it, asking deep questions. And admitting they don’t have all the answers.


Local churches should teach people how to care for one another and stop depending on one pastor to do it all
.

Local churches should help people to realize the “desires of their hearts,” and then set folks free to pursue them.


Local churches should stop programmatizing everything…and learn to improvise more. Then maybe once again, the Holy Spirit would have room to work. Maybe God would look at His church and say, “Yes! I can work with this!”


And I know that pastors…true pastors…are the ones among them who are equally willing to push the broom as well preach the sermon.