Just a quick followup to that series of posts from so very long ago.
I read the other day in The Week about the rise of the megachurch. It was really quite interesting (and mercifully brief - The Week's forte.)
I was amused to discover that I probably think the megachurch is about the best idea going. I think I could be at home in one if they would just change one thing. Instead of having a bunch of intimate small groups that revolve around a charismatic leader, they should have a charismatic leader that revolves around, supports, and enables a bunch of small groups.
If the small groups were the center, and they had a decent preacher, I think the pattern would be powerful.
I hate myself for liking something so popular, but there you have it, I guess.
The second thing is that I answered the questions I needed answered when I started writing that series. I feel like I'm getting a handle on my direction for the church. That helps.
When I started this blog, I did it anonymously. I chose to do so out of the usual discomfort, and also because I was not ready for some of my old friends to find me. I needed to have my head on straight first.
After that series, though, I cannot think of any reason to remain anonymous. So, if any of ya'll are ever near Columbus, OH, just look up Kevin Knox in the phone book. I check my voice mail at least twice a month, because that's about how often I use the phone, but I'm home every now and again. You might catch me.
I'd offer a bunch more revelations, but I doubt there's much more I haven't already said.
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11 comments:
I too blog anonymously. It’s not that I have a big motive. It’s that I know some who are always looking for targets against my church. If they don’t have one they make one up.
There’s been talk at my church about how to fill the pews, my husband has a plan, at lunch he spoke to an associate minister about it. I could be silent no more. I said you people need to trust in God. The associate spoke today and his message was about taking care of each other. Both men agreed with me. They will still work on filling the pews. I have no problem with that. We need to clean our home before we open it up for others. Get ride of the elephants. It’s not the size of the church it’s the love inside.
It’s been a nice journey Kevin.
Hi Kevin,
I like ...
"Instead of having a bunch of intimate small groups that revolve around a charismatic leader, they should have a charismatic leader that revolves around, supports, and enables a bunch of small groups."
... even though I have never seen it :)
I will be driving through Columbus with my wife at the end of the month on my way to NJ for my mom's 90th ... up for supper with KB and his KA?
Are you kidding? I'd be thrilled!
My email address is now visible in my profile. (I'll let everyone know if I see a sudden spam spike.)
Milly,
It’s not the size of the church it’s the love inside.
Amen.
I have been having a hard time with the counting that goes on at my church every week. They are bumping over 100 every now and again, and are very happy. I understand it, but I just keep remembering David numbering the people.
It’s been a nice journey Kevin.
I agree. Thank you especially, Milly, for always having something to add to each post. It is ALWAYS encouraging to me.
KB,
even though I have never seen it :)
The little home church that went so wrong was built on a premise very much like this. It's funny, because I spent 10 years there, and I also have to say that I have never seen it. :-)
Codepoke,
I would say I attend a true mega-church. My church seets 5500, though we only have about 2000 on any given Sunday. On a whole, it works pretty well, but it has worked much better with a current pastor over our previous.
As awesome as small groups (cells) are, you still need a central leader with spiritual discernment, knowledge, passion, compassion, vision, and charisma to make it work well. Our previous pastor truly lacked compassion, and the ability to articulate vision.
Dr. Cho in South Korea has all of these things and his church is wonderfully effective and thriving. the pastor's role is to be the glue, that ties these diverse groups together.
Overall, the cell group, resolves many issues of displacement experienced with super-churches. It also brings personal accountability (you aren't just another number in the masses), to the cross section of the church.
God Bless
-Doug
Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Kevin! Mind if I still call ya' CodePoke?
I have mentioned in the past that I was part of a megachurch. We were one of many megachurches in our movement about 10 years ago. Then, when everything came crashing down, all the megachurches became comparatively miniscule churches. Many of them are now only in the hundreds. (That is not a criticism, just an observation.) At the time it was really hard not to put our strength in our numbers both locally and worldwide. But now that I am on the other side of it, it is a lot easier to see the error of our ways.
I would love to see the church swell in numbers back to what it used to be. But this time, not for the false strength of it. But instead because there is nothing like being in the Boston Garden filled with disciples worshipping and singing to our great and awesome Father.
Millie, call me over-cautious, but for some reason I believe it's best that the ladies post with cautious anonymity. There are a lot of creeps out there and it just seems safer. Just thought I'd throw that out to ya'.
Milly,
I agree about the anonymity thing for women. I know it is sexist, but there are just too many issues with it.
God Bless
Doug
Thanks boys. I agree. I find myself putting trust where it isn't earned when reading these things. I can see how easy it is to get pulled in.
In Texas, we women folk just carry guns to guard against blog stalkers.
Im kidding of course, sorta!
Nice to meet you Kevin!
OK. Moment of seriousness on the whole "stalker" thing.
Let me plug "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin De Becker. Here's my review of it from my first month of blogging.
In it, De Becker explains that the only correct reaction to a stalker is complete non-interaction. Nothing. No "one last message to say I mean it". One time say, "I do not want to continue this conversation" or something like that, and never, never, never answer again. In this way, you can be sure you don't antagonize, and you get what you want - to be left alone.
Solid advice.
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