A road map to a healthy church culture

One of my favourite authors Scot McKnight has a new book being published later this year that explores creating a "goodness culture" in our church families.

Our first instinct may be to think well that automatically exists in a local church! Tragically, in recent years, Christians have gotten used to revelations of abuses of many kinds in our most respected churches--from Willow Creek to Mars Hill. We are not immune to this in the UK. In the last couple of weeks, we have read of a well-know leader announce his resignation with trustees citing concerns around an unhealthy church culture and specifically a culture that led to racism.

I am sure that no Jesus follower who hears the call of God and sets off to dedicate their life to serve God by planting or leading a church, expects to arrive at a place where they have to resign and suffer the consequences.

However, it seems to be happening with too much regularity at this moment in time. Our behaviours, beliefs and practices contribute so much to the culture we create. Let's take a time out to ensure we are taking steps towards health rather than a disaster.

Scot gives lists 7 characteristics he has noted in unhealthy church culture and 7 that help create a healthy culture.

(Below are my paraphrase of what I heard on a webinar and not exactly what was said)

Characteristics of a toxic culture

1. Narcissism is allowed.
2. Fear is common.
3. Care for the institution can trump the care of people.
4. False narratives are formed (e.g. to protect the institution)
5. There is a large emphasis on loyalty.
6. Celebrities and hero leaders are common.
7. A greater emphasis on leadership than pastoring.

Characteristics of a healthy culture

1. A high degree of empathy for others.
2. Shaped by grace and nurtures grace.
3. People are put first.
4. The truth is told even when it's hard. (no spin)
5. Justice is nurtured (do the right thing even when it hurts)
6. A culture of service is built (particularly in leadership)
7. Christlikeness is developed and valued (Christoformity)

An extract from Scot's book - A Church called Tov

Toxic, flesh- driven cultures breed a lust for power, success,

celebrity, control through fear, an emphasis on authority, and

demands for loyalty. These values may not be explicitly stated,

or even outwardly recognized, but as they fester in the heart of a leader, they can’t help but bear bitter fruit, damaging the culture of the church and seeking to destroy anyone who gets in the way.

A Spirit- formed, Christlike culture, on the other hand, nurtures truth, offers healing for the wounded, seeks opportunities to

show redemptive grace and love, focuses on serving others (rather than on being served) and looks for ways to establish justice in the daily paths of life. A Christlike church culture always has its eyes on people because the mission of the church is all about God’s redemptive love for people.

The essential church clothing

A few years ago I was asked to perform a wedding at church. The prospective bride having seen me week after week in church in jeans and a hoodie asked her dad in a slightly concerned manner if I would officiate the wedding in my usual attire.

But I was not always that casual. Growing up in a small village in the North East of Scotland attending the local AOG meant a shirt and tie at the least but prefferably a suit. Changed days I dont even own a suit! I've never believed that dress on the outside matters, as long as you are wearing something! But the Bible does talk to us about specific clothes we should wear:

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you - 1 Peter 5:5-6

Peter here talks specifically to young people but this verse is connected to the previous verses by the word "likewise". Like who? Well just prior to this he is talking to church leaders.

So he is saying, "ALL OF YOU",  including church leaders and young people alike, its time to put your clothes on. And the clothes of choice, HUMILITY.

And it would seem that God, at least in part, leaves this choice to us: Clothe YOURSELVES, Humble YOURSELVES.

God help me to cover my pride continually by taking up and putting on humility today and every day no matter how much the struggle.

A Picture of Humble Leadership

Below is a post by Ron Edmondson on 10 attributes of a humble leader. I am a long way from a number of these attributes but I strive to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus.

I also have the honour of working for a leader who I believe the below attributes describe to a T.

Dangerous Trust
Humility always demands a certain level of trust. Obviously, for a believer, it begins with a trust in God. But, a humble leader is willing to take a risk on others also, trusting them with the sacredness of the vision, even at the chance they may be disappointed with the outcome. 

Sincere investment
Humble leaders know the vision is bigger and will last longer than they will. Wow! That’s a hard reality, isn’t it? But, knowing this humble leaders willingly invest in others, raising up and maturing new leaders.

Gentle, but strong
One can’t be a leader and be weak. The two — weakness and leadership — don’t go together. Every position of leadership will provide a challenge to the leader, but humble leaders have learned the balance between being gentle and remaining strong. (Think Jesus!) 

Readily admits mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes. In fact, we often learn more through failure than through success. The humble leader is quick to admit when he or she has done wrong and deals with the fault-out without casting blame or making excuses. And, they seek forgiveness when the mistakes they make impact others.

Forgives easily
Leadership is filled with disappointment; often at the expense of other’s mistakes. A humble leader forgives easily, remembering how many times he or she has been forgiven.

Quickly diverts attention 
We all like to be recognised for accomplishments, but a humble leader is quick to divert attention to others, sharing the limelight for successes with those, who many times, may have even had more to do with the success than the leader did. They celebrate the success of others louder than personal success

Remains thankful 
A humble leader is appreciative of the input of others into his or her leadership. So much so, that a humble leader naturally praises the actions of others far more than the time spent patting themselves on the back for personal accomplishments. Humble leaders recognise that all good gifts come from above.

Recognises limitations
No one can do everything. A humble has the ability to say, “I can’t do that or I’m not the one who should“.

Shares authority 
Humble leaders don’t take all the key assignments for themselves, but gives out prime responsibility and authority to people he or she is leading.

Invites feedback 
A humble leader wants to learn from his or her mistakes and wants to continually see improvement. Humble leaders initiate other’s suggestions and feedback, not waiting until complaints come, but personally asking for the input.

Humility is not putting yourself down as a leader. It’s ultimately recognising who you are in view of Christ and others. The danger in not being a humble leader or considering ourselves better than others, is that one day we may be “humbled”. Many of us learn humility the hard way.

Just another brick in the wall

Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. - 1 Peter 2:5 (message)

Before we meet Christ we are focused on building a life. After we meet Christ, our life is consumed with building a Christ centred sanctuary for those searching for life.

The transformation that has taken place, the hope that has been birthed, the gratitude the overflows, compels us to abandon our carefully crafted plans and find overwhelming fulfilment and purpose in a new plan. God's plan!

That plan is to show up, bowed in worship, adoration and thankfulness before our deliverer and say "not my will but yours."

I'm ready to take my place, build me into your glorious kingdom, I am ready to be a simple brick in your glorious creation, it doesn't matter where just include me. Let me be an other brick in the wall.

We are the under rowers

JUST A THOUGHT by Aaron Linford
THE UNDERROWER

Ancient triremes had three banks of oarsmen to provide the necessary propulsion. The lowest tier was called “the under-rowers”. They could but rowed their rhythmic strokes at the drum-beat of the director above. To use the Greek word, they were hygerétés – under-rowers. –
Paul uses this word in 1 Corinthians 4:1, when he speaks of Apollos and himself as “ministers of Christ”.

What a vivid term for Christian service. As under-rowers we receive our directions from above, and pull our spiritual oars together at our Captain’s command. We cannot always understand the way we are going, but we trust our Pilot and give our strength and attention to His will.

It may seem undignified so to serve, but our trust is in our Lord and Master. We are ready to serve Him whether seen or unseen, whether regarded or disregarded by men. And it is our confidence in our heavenly Guide that enables us to bend our strength to the progress of God’s-“Ship of State” – His Church on earth.

Via - Barnabas Ministries