Recovering
The forgotten
ways
session 1 – setting the
stage
ESCM sharing & discussion
based on alan Hirsch's book
distance from “church” to people
• Missiologist Ralph Winter’s “cultural distance”
Church
culture
m0
m1
m2
m3
m4
– m0-m1: same language, similar interest and social background, some
understanding and openness to Christianity
– m3-m4: highly resistant to church and Gospel, cannot understand the
church language and culture
– Originally applied to distance from the Gospel message only, but
Hirsch recognized in post-Christendom there is now a significant
cultural distance between church and the general population
“church” is “too far” for most
• In Australia current “church” has “market appeal” to only 12% of
the population
•
Family values, decent living segment
• In the United States, church “market appeal” is probably slightly
higher, as evangelical attendance is 9%
• Canada is probably closer to Australia, but regardless of exact data,
majority of population (80%?) find church is too far from them
culturally
consumers vs participants
• Jesus’ approach
– Spoke in confusing riddles (parables) which evoked a spiritual search in
the hearers
– The hearers were activated in their spirits because they had to do the
hard work of filling in the blanks
• Today’s common church approach
– Pulpit ministry – 5% active
– Platform & Program ministry – 10% active
– Highly participatory alternative service (dialogue, lounge feel,
multisensory communication, pop art, etc.) – 20% active
– Their attempt made things worse – consumer standard raised and
couldn’t connect elsewhere if they leave
– Majority still consumptive, came to “get fed”
– “Consumption is detrimental to discipleship”
rebuilding the church on true participation
• From static, geographically located church to dynamic
movement in the whole city
• Reverse active to passive ratio – at least 80%
participating
• Fully reproducible system based on some internal DNA
• Organic multiplication as a network, not centralized
organization
• Mission as the organizing principle of the movement,
not ministry
Doing church in the middle part
don’t take my word for it
“Practically, I’m toying with the idea of starting a network of
gatherings that meet in homes in order to practice the
commands of Scripture. They could watch sermons via DVD or
have a leader give the lesson. They may even sing together.
But the gatherings wouldn’t stop there. They would discuss
how to live out the sermon in their neighborhood. They would
also pray for each other. They would take communion and
remind each other of the mission. They would meet the needs
of the members of their group and their unsaved neighbors.
Rather than coming to church, they would be the church—not
in a sacred building, but in their neighborhoods. Occasionally,
we could all gather in an auditorium or stadium to celebrate
and worship collectively.” – Francis Chan, Cornerstone Simi
Church
key question for groups
If we are to start a new church according to
Jesus’ calling, name 3 to 5 things that are top
priorities about how we should be doing
church?
answers
a
answers
prayer culture
(who is going to pray), romancing people into
God (love for God and love for neighbor), redemptive- incarnation of God’s work
(being Jesus there), less is more (make discicples), reaching out the neighbor –
gospel in action (ex. Weekly appointment with the community), be there where
the need is, acts 2:42-47 (you can read on your own), not human-focused, Godfocused (thanks ada and howard), authenticity, teaching in situation and modelling
(heal first, preach second), preparation (where, what community, need, what will
you do after the harvest), how Christ think and how we are like Him, more mission,
less meetings (CHEERS!!! APPLAUSE!!!), spirituality (filled with the Holy Spirit,
Francis Chan calls Him the Forgotten God, wait! That’s the title of his book), grow
in the Spirit and sense His power, gathering believers in a lifestyle of worship (not
just the Sunday thing, but 24/7, includes prayer, word, praising, loving and serving
one another). “Martha syndrome” (respond to God instead of feel guilty we aren’t
doing enough), understand our calling to make disciples, wasted energy &
resources (or they protect the building like fort knox), model a comfort/security of
christianity vs. taking up the cross, public, not private.
mDNA
pray
Where do you want God to lead you in your church
context in light of what you learned today, so that
you will begin to capture the Mission of Jesus
Christ again?