CHANGE THE CHIP
“Change the Chip” calls for a fresh examination of our ingrained assumptions and the courage to institute necessary changes to bring the church back to its primal missional identity.
“Change the Chip” is a metaphor. The church operates with many pre-programmed (OS) ideas, just as a computer comes with an operating system (OS) that is pre-loaded from the factory. However, when the computer is no longer able to process the amount and type of data that is being uploaded it becomes very slow and needs an upgrade. This challenges our thinking at a deep level and since we love the routine and the comfortable it is difficult for us to change.
FOUNDATIONAL ISSUES
Dynamic Interaction with the Holy Spirit is essential
Dynamic refers to a process characterized by constant change, activity, progress. Interaction is communication or direct involvement that includes reciprocal action or influence. Nothing can replace this component; no amount of education, training, popularity – nothing.
- Every pastor MUST encounter God! Jesus told all the pastors of the seven churches in Asia mentioned in The Revelation to encounter Him, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
- The Holy Spirit is bringing change! He pushes us out into Mission. In Acts 2 the Holy Spirit came in the Upper Room and then the people went out of the Upper Room.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Do not [quench, stifle, suppress, put out, subdue, be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the Spirit.
- John 16:13 “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.”
- Sparks creativity which leads to innovation. Creativity is not appreciated, valued, or seen as an important part of pastoring. We have been trained to mimic, imitate, conform, copy, toe-the-line, etc. Creative expression is not desired. We view the church and pastoral ministry as static, settled and no need for innovation – just follow the pattern. The long absence of creative expressions of the Spirit of God has paralyzed the church. We do not know how to follow the Spirit in creativity and innovation; thus, the church has no place for or understanding of innovation, so the status quo is valued, and innovation is not.
- Inspires risk-taking. We are risk averse! Too much concern with safety and security, combined with comfort and convenience, has lulled us out of our true calling and purpose. The comfortable do not impact their world. We must embrace the mysterious, uncontrollable, risky, unpredictable nature of God. Distinctive, countercultural lives recognizing that we are sojourners not settlers.
The organizing principle of the church is MISSION
Missional author Rob Wegner states this well, “The mission of God is the origin of every expression of ecclesiology, every understanding of how the church is structured and why it exists. Mission is the sweeping force that runs through everything we are and all that we do. The people of God have always existed because of the mission of God and for the mission of God.
The church, filled with the Spirit, is sent to represent Jesus by taking his message and his ministry to the entire world. Today, the church is the primary means for God’s mission in the world. The local church was created and designed to be a “sent” organism, not a stationary fortress unwilling (or unable) to go anywhere.”
- Mission must shape ministry and the church, in fact, God’s mission has a church! However, we are good at church, but not so good at mission. Most revitalization efforts start by focusing on fixing the church: better systems, better leaders, better choirs, better buildings, better people, better pastors, etc. We believe if we can get everything right inside the church, then a lost world will come to us.
- If we start with church, we will never find mission, but if we start with mission, we always find the church. God has sent us, and we must go, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” John 20:21. “Jesus told us to go into all the world and be his ambassadors, but many churches today have inadvertently changed the “go and be” command to a “come and see” appeal. We have grown attached to buildings, programs, staff and a wide variety of goods and services designed to attract and entertain people.”