Somtimes we leave with extra baggage
In my last post When Servants Become Kings I asked the question; when we step out of the system, how much of it do we end up bringing with us; like bedbugs in our suitcase? The system I was referring to is institutionalized Christianity or Christendom.
Those of us who have transitioned out of “Church as we know it” to “Church as God wants it”[1] know that simply not going to a church service one morning does not complete the process of transition. So I’d like to discuss some key points in this process of transitioning out of institutional church into organic church, a process commonly called detox.[2]
Awareness
Nobody I know of wakes up one morning and decides, on the spur of the moment, without provocation, that they don’t want to participate in institutional Christianity any more. There is normally a dawning awareness that something is not right. It is more of a feeling, than something we can put our finger on. But the feeling causes us to start looking for what is bothering us. When we actually start looking, we start noticing and interconnected web of issues that don’t really jibe with what the Bible actually says. For example, we might note something as simple as worship services are never mentioned or described in the Bible. This in turn cause us to note issues like staff, budgets, abuse of power, titles, ministry as business, pulpits, programs… the list goes on. Something is rotten in Denmark.
The Emperor has No Clothes
It is no longer a matter of the Emperor’s socks being the wrong color
At some point, we reach the tipping point. We realize that this is no longer a list of related problems, it is a system. It is a system that is not only extra biblical, it is often contra-biblical. We begin to realize that, just like the Pharisees of the New Testament, faith in God has been turned into the religion of men. It is no longer a matter of the Emperor’s socks being the wrong color; we realize he is actually naked. This creates in many a sense of betrayal. This is a critical and dangerous point. If we not only turn on the system, but the people in the system, we will allow a root of bitterness to spring up in our souls. It is appropriate to note the Emperor has no clothes. It is not appropriate to call everyone in the parade a bunch of perverts.
Church in a House
Most people’s first foray into something somewhat organic is to try to start a church in a house with some of the friends who have noticed the Emperor’s lack of clothes. What we don’t notice is that we have brought bedbugs in our suitcase. We may meet in a house, but we have positional leadership and an order of worship. Sometimes we even sit in rows and have a pulpit. This isn’t really organic Christianity or even house church Christianity; it is what John White calls Honey I Shrunk the Church.
House Church as a Technique
At some point we actually begin to experience Jesus within our community. We actually start to relate to one another in an organic way. We begin to experience what the Bible was talking about when it refers to the ekklesia. This is so wonderful. If only we could bottle this. If only we could get everyone to see what we see. We need to mass produce this; to create an organic church assembly line. We have reached another critical phase; one that has the illusion of being complete. We think we have arrived. But we are just another step down the line of the process.
This stage has at least three problems with it. First, we are focusing on church as the answer to our problems. Jesus is the answer to our problems. Second, we are seeing this form of church as a technique; one we can bottle and sell. The power isn’t in the technique, the power is in Jesus. Finally, this isn’t missional. Jesus is on a mission to reclaim his lost and broken world. He invites us on this mission with him.
On Mission with Jesus
Hopefully, eventually, we will learn that organic church was designed by Jesus to accompany him on mission. It is simple. It is easily reproduced. Its simplicity more easily allows for his lordship to be expressed in every aspect of its expression. It is designed for a community to follow Jesus the Lord in new covenant relationship. By being stripped down, this is church ready to run the race. Now, perhaps we really have gotten rid of the bedbugs in the suitcase.
- What stage are you in? Do you even think there is a problem with Church as we know it?
- Do you think one ever really gets out of this detox process?
- Have you noticed that the Emperor is wearing no clothes? Are you handling that in a healthy way, or are you calling names?
- Are you on mission with Jesus?
[1] I borrowed these two phrases from Wolfgang Simson’s Starfish Manifesto.
[2] I’m usually pretty careful about using the word detox. While it is an apt as a descriptive metaphor of the process, it implies an overly critical view of our brethren still worshiping Jesus in institutional settings.
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Do we ever completely “detox” from the Traditional Church? Of course we do. When we properly focus the eyes of your heart on Jesus and worship through His Spirit, authority and anointing then we cleanse ourselves of improper methods of worship. We relearn proper approaches to Jesus. Soon we are able to quickly tune into our Lord while forgetting pew methods. If we do not tune to the Lord then we shrug our shoulders and move on not asking ourselves, What sin have I committed that does not allow access to God? If or when we worship right along side our brothers and sisters in the IC then they will experience the Living God in our lives. Then our task may be to dispel the method myth with others without stoning the prophets as was done with Stephen. We must guard our hearts.
Hi Dwayne,
My own experience of detox has been somewhat different. I’ve found that at almost any given time I’m pretty convinced that I’ve finally detoxed until…the Holy Spirit reveals to me another area where I’m either thinking in terms of traditionalism, institutionalism or Enlightenment paradigms. So, once again, the Holy Spirit has to work me through another issue.
I have found that the issues have slowly gone from the blatant to the more subtle and tacit. But, I’ve come to the point where I no longer assume that I’m fully detoxed. That, of course, doesn’t prohibit the Holy Spirit from working through me just as I am. But, it is like driving on a road which has a bunch of boulders, and various sized rocks strewn over it. It is nice to have the boulders out of the way. Driving on a gravel road is better than driving among boulders. But a highway is better than a gravel road.
You are correct though; focus on the Holy Spirit and what he is saying so that we can work with our King in obedience. That is the key to new covenant living. We need to be aware of the boulders, etc. but our focus has to stay on Him.
Warmly in Jesus,
Ross
I don’t think detoxing institutionalized brothers and sisters from out of traditional forms of Christianity is something that we can simply teach them. Most of us have had years and years of indoctrination that isn’t easily set aside simply because you or I try and teach this to them. Yes, the Lord has given some to be teachers, but this sort of thing can only be taught, as it were, by the direct revelation of the Holy Spirit. 1 John 2: 26-27 comes to mind.
I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read so far on your site. God bless.
Will,
Thanks for the comments. Jesus takes us through the detox process. We can’t make it happen. We can try to help others do it without bitterness and as little anger as possible. But, the main point is to try to keep pointing them to Jesus and get their eyes off of their past wounding in more traditional forms of Christianity.