At a church plant boot camp, I was reminded of how many Vineyard churches prefer to “do” church and build community. The speaker talked about bounded-set versus centered-set. Many leaders wish to lead churches that are the latter but unfortunately they end up being the former.
By bounded-set I mean a community where everyone has to conform to a set of standards or boundaries (if you will) in order to belong. The phrase “You have to believe ABC before you belong to our community” comes to mind. Not only does the would be family member have to believe in ABC they also have to exhibit XYZ lifestyle. In his book, Doing Church, Alexander Venter states this organizational form produces a “rigid, control-driven society.” These types of communities use the letter of the law to control who becomes a member and who gets to play. There are strict guidelines on who’s on the inside and who’s on the outside. There’s a we versus they mentality. Finally, the bounded-set community keeps itself pure and untainted by a sense of what’s right and what’s wrong.
By centered-set I mean a community where everyone is accepted according to a set of values. The set of values are in the center of concentric circles. These values can be different from group to group. However, everyone knows where the group is going or called to. The phrase “You can belong to our community before you believe everything we believe” comes to mind. In this type of community one question gets asked about would be family members. Where are they going? Are they going toward the center of the set where are values are? Everyone gets to play in this community. Everyone gets to exercise their gifts, knowledge, skills, and abilities for their heavenly Father.
In the Vineyard, Jesus Christ is in the center of our set. We simply want to know whether or not you are going towards Christ or away from Christ. Your life doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to get ‘cleaned up’ before you can belong. As long as you’re moving towards Jesus, then let’s enjoy the ride together because we’re all on this ride for the long haul.
This kind of view on community is very hard to live out. You’ll always have your pharisees in the family that want to point out other’s faults and issues. At times, I even struggle with pointing out faults and issues. However, I’m always reminded of the things Jesus did and said in the Gospels. In fact, I read through the Gospels every Summer so I can be reminded about Jesus’ ministry. Additionally, you’ll always have your naysayers that will call us demon-possessed, drunkards, and a friend of sinners. Which can’t be all that bad since they said the same thing about Jesus!
Good word... I guess in short, we need to be more accepting in the body of Christ as a whole we need to be more community oriented...
ReplyDeleteLaDoris
Yes...that's the essence but there's so much more. We also accept people where they are and not where we think they should be. We allow people to move at their own pace.
ReplyDeleteWe don't force the walk when they should be crawling. This is the reason why I don't put pressure on people about tithing, attending a Service and Life Group, serving in ministry or anything else for that matter. I teach what the Bible says. Then it's up to each individual to follow. Each individual will have to answer for their own action or inaction. My job is to teach and lead not force feed. Hence, the idea of centered-set.