What is Really Happening with Transformation?
10/14/04

All of us are working toward Spiritual and Structural Transformation, but what exactly does either of these mean? How do we know when they are happening? I want to answer these questions based solely on our ministry here at Spirit of Joy. I hope you will find some parallels with your context for ministry, your congregation, but I am convinced what follows fits ours. To some degree I want to be provocative, in a positive way, to give you something to think about.

First, let me describe Spirit of Joy. We are a small group of about 72 people who are intentional about being a community of open-minded Christians. Our people tell visitors that we are a church where no one tells you what you have to believe, that we are not dogmatic in the way we read and interpret the Bible, and that in general we are a congregation that places a premium on people thinking for themselves. They also say that we are a Jesus centered, high commitment church that has very specific expectations for its members. Because of who we are as a church, we attract people who tend to lean a bit to the left on issues, though we have people who do not, but who are also open-minded individuals.

That said, this is the conclusion I have reached. I believe fundamentalists make better church members than they do Christians, while liberals make better Christians than they do church members. Any generalization like this has exceptions, and we do here. But in general I find that fundamentalists are more faithful in church attendance, Bible study, financial stewardship, and in large numbers rally around issues they believe in such as abortion, homosexuality, prayer in schools, etc. At the same time, they fall easily into divisive judgmentalism rooted in self-righteousness, demonstrate tunnel vision when it comes to moral issues, and at times act as if ends justify means. Thus, I see them as the kind of people who help churches grow numerically, but who also inhibit the kind of spiritual maturity characteristic of how I understand Christian discipleship. In short, they are strong believers in Jesus, but weak followers of him.

In contrast, liberals are less judgmental of what others believe, consider tolerance a good thing, embrace racial, economic, and theological diversity, and bring focus to social issues such as poverty, racism, militarism, sexism, and others that fundamentalists often ignore. At the same time, they neglect the personal dimension to faith or reject it altogether, practice inconsistent church attendance and even more dismal financial stewardship, and tend to talk a better game about ministry than actually doing anything.

Again, I realize generalizations tend to overlook exceptions, but I do not think what I am saying falls into the category of stereotyping. Thus, I suggest one way to discern the progress of Spiritual and Structural Transformation toward which The Jesus Connection directs its energies is to look at the degree of improvement in the distinctive weaknesses of fundamentalist and liberal Christians. All of our churches have both groups in them, and more than a few people in-between. But I think the characteristics I have described may point to specific ways we can measure both personal and congregational transformation. Thinking in broad, abstract terms about transformation doesn't seem to move us toward anything. There may be other specific ways we can think about it than what I am suggesting. If so, tell us what you think they are from your experience.

Jan Linn - Spirit of Joy Christian Church - Lakeville, MN