Membership vs. Mission

These words of Reggie MacNeal, quoted yesterday, have a certain resonance with me because the church I go to has just embarked on a membership campaign.

The attractional model of church creates a ‘member culture,’ in which people join a particular church and support that organization with their attendance, their money, their prayers, and their talent. The flow is toward the church, which is always at the center of the action, where the big game is being played.

"Member culture." I like that. This is a new thing at our church. Quite suddenly one Sunday everyone was strongly urged to take an 8-week class, upon which they would be, officially, members. In doing so they were said to be "committing" themselves to the church. They would become "accountable." Their attendance at the class meant that they were making 7 "commitments" (that's the key word in all this), which included tithing and being involved in at least one ministry of the church. On the other hand, if you don't take the class, you are merely an "attender," not a member. You probably suffer from an inability to make commitments, you don't like being accountable, and you may be a shallow church-shopper.

Well, if that doesn't smack of "member culture," nothing does! I will add that the leaders at my church are generally a conscientious bunch, and they try very hard to be both attractional and missional, but it's clear that, as MacNeal says, "The flow is toward the church, which is always at the center of the action, where the big game is being played."

I start with the observation that most people are "maxed out" in every area of their life. They are being pressed, coaxed, and pressured (for time, money, etc.) on all sides. The church should not simply replicate that atmosphere. In fact, it should intentionally offer Christ's relief from all that.

The missional alternative can be helpful because it places the emphasis where it belongs.

The missional church views the church’s position in society very differently. It understands that God has his people—his missionaries—deployed across all domains of culture. After all, since the mission is redemptive and the world is God’s target, doesn’t it make sense that he would take this approach? Otherwise, how would salt be distributed or light puncture the darkness?

Maybe I usher in the church and give my 10% I qualify as a member, but out there between the stop-signs of life I'm not even coming close to representing the living Jesus in my world. The problem is, between the stop-signs is where the important ministry is going on, not in the church. On the other hand, maybe there's a mom with three kids who is "ministering Christ" to her children day by day, but has a hard time making it to church every week. Pity she can't be a member, though she's a temple of the Holy Spirit!

In other words, the measure by which we define membership is of little real significance. The church isn't where the real game is, folks!

When the 8-week course was over, the church had a party. One Sunday morning was set aside to promote the program to those who hadn't signed up for the first round of classes. We heard that everything about it was, of course, wonderful, and how it was an antidote to our commitment-phobic culture. The time normally allotted to preaching was set aside for the promotion of this church program! And then they served cake.