Start leading...Stop controlling

What does a person mean when they say, "I don't like organized religion"?

Is it that they'd prefer a chaotic, unorganized way to express their faith? Doubtful. So, what is the best way to interpret that phrase, "organized religion"? Perhaps it depends on who says it.

For instance, when an UNBELIEVER says "I don't like organized religion" generally, what they probably mean is, "I don't want to be told what to believe, think, and do." In other words, they want to make their own choices and live their own way -- whether or not someone tells them that it's destructive, fruitless, or meaningless behavior. Until a person sees their desperate need for God and the hopeless condition that they're in, they will continue attempting to please themselves and make choices that they believe will being satisfaction and life. Ironically, self-gratifying behavior only leads to futility, shame, pain, and death.

Okay, so now that we've got that settled, have you ever thought about what a Christian means when they say, "I don't like organized religion"? When a BELIEVER makes that statement what they probably mean is, "I don't want some pastor to tell me what to do" or "I don't want to be controlled or put in a box". Hm...sounds kind of similar to the response of an unbeliever, doesn't it? What can I say? I guess we all, as Americans, really value our independence.

But how does this all apply to pastors & church leaders? Do we have anything to learn as it relates to how we reach unbelievers and lead believers?

When it comes to UNBELIEVERS, I think we need to demonstrate in practical ways that God's way is the best way. It's not always the easiest or the simplest, but it is always the best...always. And...it's not always just the best for God and His glory -- it's the best for His people too! The way to get life is to give it. The way to be lifted up is to become low. The way to be full is to become empty. Isn't this the gist of Philippians 2:1-11?

When it comes to BELIEVERS, we need to realize that people experience God personally in many different ways. Therefore, it is really tough for us, as church leaders to declare, "This is THE way to know God" or, "You will encounter God if you participate in this program or ministry." I'm not saying that this isn't true...but I do think there are times when it is not true, particularly when we are leading people toward a personal agenda that is not necessarily given by God. This is where it gets dicey. How do we know when an idea/program/ministry is from God? We can gain some insight from Romans 12:2 -- but ultimately, I think God's will as expressed in the Bible is more general in nature. For instance, "Be my witnesses" or "Make disciples" or "Mourn with those who mourn" or "Fight the good fight", or "Love your neighbor", etc....... these are sufficient statements, but they're not exactly super specific.

The task of helping people live out God's will in everyday life is not an easy one but I think that as a guiding principle we would be well served to discern what is a personal agenda vs. what is God's clearly defined will as expressed in Scripture. (For instance, God's clearly defined will is what motivated Moses to keep stand firm when the people questioned him & turned on him.) We should remember that, as much we want to "lead" people, our leading is sometimes interpreted as controlling. Sadly, on occassion, perhaps their interpretations are justified. The people who give of their time & talents & treasure are reluctant to be or feel manipulated in any way...even if we think our motivations are pure.

Since there are any number of practical ministries that we could do, once we have discovered what God's clearly defined will is I think we need to consider what kinds of things/projects/goals resonate with the hearts of the people that we're leading. When we mobilize people by discovering those things that resonate with the hearts of people in our church & community, I think we have a much better chance at seeing progress or "success". (For example, we've seen how people will cheerfully give financially toward something that they're genuinely excited about.) At the same time, let's create a structure that allows people to demonstrate Christ's call to "love (their) neighbor" in the particular manner that they feel called to do that. Again, people want to be supported, but not controlled.

Could it be that often times, both believers & unbelievers view "organized religion" as church leaders pushing their personal agenda on others? I don't know about you but people are not always/often eager to make sacrifices to be a part of my personal agendas or soap boxes. The more clearly we are able to show that a particular idea is grounded in God's Word and for His purposes, then I think we have a much better shot at seeing people respond to the event/program/idea with enthusiasm...rather than with animosity or apathy. This is the incredibly challenging, but critical task of church leaders.

While I don't know exactly how God will be leading you this next year in your various ministries, I encourage each of us to: 1)Seek God personally, particularly through reading, studying, and meditation on His Word. (This falls directly in line with the challenge that our pastor has given our body this summer.) 2) Carefully sift out your personal agendas from God's agendas. (I really like how Bill Towne is reminding us of our call to "make disciples".) 3) Give people freedom to express their worship (service) to God in creative ways. 4) Encourage people to take obedient/loving steps of faith that resonate with the work that God is doing in their individual heart.

Let's continue leading people toward Christ and His clearly defined purposes for us -- and stop controlling or even, dare I say it, unknowingly manipulating, them toward our own agendas. Perhaps one day we'll run into people in our community and in our church who say, "I like organized religion"......because they have witnessed the joy that comes from encountering God and expressing His clearly defined will through tangible ways that resonate with the hearts of people.