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The problem with plate spinning




                Erich Brenn appeared on the Ed Sullivan show eight times. In the late 60s early 70s being on the Ed Sullivan show would be like having a video on YouTube with over a million views. Brenn was a master plate spinner. He placed plates, bowls and cups on top of poles that he would spin. He was able to entertain audiences with his ability to keep all the plates and cups spinning. Plate spinning is entertaining and Erich Brenn made a career out of it. An issue that many Christian Churches face is that plate spinning is what passes as real ministry.
                During the Protestant Reformation leaders emphasized two main issues. One was Sola Scriptura which is a Latin phrase that means Scripture alone. Sola Scriptura was a way to emphasize the authority of the Bible over and against Catholic traditions.
                The other emphasis was on the priesthood of all believers which declared that every believer has direct access to God without any human mediator. These concepts landed in America with the Pilgrims, along with other settlers, seeking to throw off unfair policies of spiritual hierarchy. These concepts were quickly mixed together with American style democracy.
                This created what is often called congregational style governance. Church leadership began to be viewed as elected officials who were to do the bidding of the congregation. This is especially true for non-denominational autonomous congregations such as the Christian Church. While this congregational style has its strengths it also offers limitations. Here are a few limitations.

Who is in charge?

                Technically Christian Churches are said to be “elder-led.” This means that the Elders are the ultimate leaders of the congregation. However, in congregational style governance the congregation are ultimately the leaders. The congregation voted on the leaders to do certain things and by their actions the congregation can veto the leaders they selected. Problems arise because less spiritually mature Christians know they are in charge. They understand that should they raise enough stink, cause enough pain, withhold enough funds, or hurt enough feelings, they’ll get whatever they want, regardless of its righteousness or wisdom.
                Strong, spiritually formed elderships that are able to manage their own anxieties can navigate conflicts well. Sadly, when the goal of church life and leadership becomes “We don’t want to upset people” then churches become, safe, palatable, and unchallenging. Success becomes measured by a lack of uncomplaining.  Nothing new happens and the status quo always holds. Church leaders, especially ministers, tend to be become stuck in a cycle of both never being freed to change nor accomplish anything while simultaneously being judged for their lack of effectiveness or progress. This is not ministry; it’s plate-spinning. Plate-spinning can be entertaining yet in the long run it is exhausting for everyone involved.

Traditionalism wins

                Every church is shaped by some kind of tradition. By tradition I mean things like church history and theological traditions such as Reformed theology.  Basically, if a person grew up going to some kind of a church then recognize it or not they have acquired a tradition. Tradition can add depth to faith. Sadly, tradition can turn into traditionalism. Traditionalism is the dead faith of the living. When you hear talk in the church that involves things like “I don’t disagree with it, but I . . .” that is traditionalism talking. Traditionalism is often the trump card used when any change or practice is questioned.
                A dead giveaway that you are dealing with traditionalism is when you hear talk such as “I don’t think it’s wrong, but . . .” or the grand-daddy of all church traditionalism arguments – “I don’t think it’s a salvation issue, but . . .” (as if anything other than Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is a salvation issue.) It’s just hard to make an argument that “I just want what I grew up with or It’s not what I am used to . . . “ and it not be about traditionalism.
                Traditionalism keeps the plates spinning out of fear. Fear of change. Fear of challenge. Ultimately when traditionalism wins the church loses.

What can be done?
                Another post will deal with that topic yet I am open to suggestions.

What do you think? What might I be missing?

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