Andrea wrote another post for me and I think I’ve convinced her to write a post for every other week. I think she brings up some great points of not getting stuck in our thinking as far as church goes.
In teaching, we are constantly bombarded with new initiatives to help reshape education and hopefully help our young people reach a higher level of success.
One local elementary school had t-shirts made with “TTWWADI†in a circle, a bright red line crossing it out. The acronym stands for, “That’s the way we always did it†and pushes educators to think about why they are doing something and measure the results to see if they should continue with a given practice.
Seems pretty simple and logical, right?
It’s not a stretch to see we could use similar thinking in the church world. We could have some TTWWADI t-shirts of our own. Some people are so mixed up in religion and “righteous†practices, I wonder if they know WHY they are doing IT or, dare I say, if IT is even necessary (or biblical, in some cases).
As a math teacher, I don’t ever expect a student to come to me twenty years later and recite an equation for a circle or even give me the quadratic formula. I really hope to teach them to ask questions and develop logical thinking processes. And of course, I secretly hope they’ll tell me I was their favorite teacher and they knew I cared.
Questioning and digging deeper is a skill many Christians seem to abandon at the church entrance on Sunday morning.
Now I think my husband does a good job of being on the mark, but if we aren’t careful, we will rely solely on preachers to tell us what God is thinking or how to interpret scripture instead of digging in and finding it out for ourselves. Sundays are a great starting place. What if we took what was brought out and looked up other scriptures? What if we questioned a piece and found it came up lacking?
Some preachers would decidedly be unhappy about this, but the point is, we have to know God for ourselves and find out how to serve effectively together.
I believe we need church and to be active the community of faith that God has established, but don’t put on nice Christian blinders. I think we need a movement in churches to stop and evaluate three main questions.
- WHAT are we doing?
- WHY are we doing that?
- Is IT working?
What are you doing as part of your local church or community? If you aren’t doing anything, that’s a great place to start. If you are doing something, is there a way to a way to do it more effectively? Why are you doing a certain activity, outreach, or ministry? Are you being a cog and filling a need (not a bad thing)? Are you in an area that God has gifted you or are you at least happy and willing to serve?
As leaders, we need to look at the programs and outreaches to see what all is going on and why it is happening to make sure it is effective, meeting needs, fulfilling the vision of the church, and not just busy work. We are in that process now in our church as we try to expand our ability to make a difference and give more opportunities for people to get in and serve.
It shouldn’t have to be a constant spinning of the wheels! The God we know is full of creativity and ideas.
I challenge you to cross out your own personal “that’s the way we always did it†and to push yourself to seek God and His direction for this very moment in your life.
So here we go: What are you doing? Why are you doing that? Is it working?
36 Comments
Wow. Poignant. Direct. Needed.
This is a tremendous post!
I think often times, we find ourselves trying to copy what worked in another church instead of seeking what God wants to do in our local church. It is vital for us to recognize that God works differently in different situations…we do not need to limit how He can work.
We need to evaluate everything we are doing to make sure we are doing things His way rather than their way…
The most effective place for us to be as individuals and as a church, is in the center of His will.
Dusty Rayburn recently posted..How Are We Praising
Amen to that. The culture is vastly different in various regions and just because something worked somewhere else doesn’t mean it will here. Not to mention that we should just follow God’s heart, leading, and will in the first place! Thanks Dusty.
Thanks, Dusty. I will admit though, some of the best teachers that I’ve talked with have looked at others teachers and what is effective for them. But instead of just a copy and paste- they evaluate their learners and tweak it to fit their needs. There is nothing wrong with seeing what worked, but you were totally right- we just need to seek God to make sure we’re doing it the right way.
This is something that I speak and write about frequently. Be yourself. Be who God created you to be. God is a unique God and He created us in His image, which makes us unique.
I love how this applies to the church and individuals.
Michael recently posted..Customer Service Is An Art Form By Peter Pollock
You would never think it would that hard to be yourself, but it is sometimes! Ourselves, yielded to God, is a powerful thing. Thanks Michael.
It’s amazing how hard people have to work sometimes to be themselves. I have a wall display in my classroom: “Be who you are.” That’s all God is asking of us.
Thanks for the comment and keep putting that message out there- seems to be MUCH needed.
In most areas of life, I am a big fan of “the rut.” I like wearing my same old holey jeans & flip flops over and over. I like parking in the same spot at work every day. I like to find a formula that works and stick with it. But I’ve found that in ministry, I’m much more open to new ideas. However, I’ve also come to realize that I’m not a visionary. I’m a missionary. I sit, mouth open, and listen to my pastor share vision for our church and I think, “My Lord, I NEVER would have thought of that! It’s BRILLIANT!” But when I’m given a mission, I lace up my boots and march.
Sarah Salter recently posted..The Screamer
It takes both kinds of people to get things accomplished. One isn’t more important than another. Thanks Sarah.
I think as long as your rut is working- not just spinning your wheels and feeling totally frustrated, then keep it going! (it means it is working).
The great thing about the body of Christ is that we don’t have to be good at being all the parts of the body. That’s why God brings us together to work with each other’s strengths and weaknesses all to His glory. Thanks for the comment.
One of the dangers of “the rut” is that there is a tendency to fly through much of life on “cruise control” and not really think about what you’re doing. When you just cruise like that, you often don’t know you have a problem until you either get bogged down or hit a wall.
Sarah Salter recently posted..The Screamer
Speaking of improvement, can I ask a question that’s kind of off-topic? I’ve wondered about this for years, and this seems like a good place to get it out!
Teachers spend a great deal of time learning how to effectively communicate a message to their students. And over and over again -- at least at the high school level -- we’re told that lecture is the least effective form of information delivery; something like 91% of the message is not retained.
Every time I hear this statistic, I wonder why the primary method of communicating a message in churches is, essentially, a lecture.
There’s got to be a way to improve this, right?
Sarah S. recently posted..August Project Day 15- Monday Night Football
I think that’s why so many have introduced different illustration techniques (videos, objects) and worked in more stories. The reality is if we can feel it we remember it better (which is also why women tend to remember things better than men). It is an interesting thought I have pondered many times. I look forward to Andrea’s response as well.
Thanks Sarah.
Excellent thought, Sarah. That’s why I believe being a Christian goes past Sunday Morning. In teaching we have to “lecture” some, to share those ideas and explain the tricks of the trade. I think just like homework, group work and project are a vital part to the classroom it totally applies to the church. Homework should be done- pull out those dusty bibles. Group work- getting involved in small groups or having dinner with another church couple. Projects- summer camp, mission trip, you name it. When we step out of our comfort zone and see something from someone else’s perspective we’re simply bound to grow.
Awesome analysis, baby! You so smart.
Why does my name always have to be associated with unused Bibles? #justsayin
Dusty Rayburn recently posted..How Are We Praising
If it helps, it is also associated with an old pillow or a poorly taken care of piece of furniture. Think of it like you are famous!
Ha! I read your comment first via email & I couldn’t figure out what you were talking about! Reminds me of a story, but I won’t tell it here.
Andrea, love the post and the questions are good ones. Our church plant is asking those type of questions and then praying…a lot! Certain things work and others don’t but as we hone our listening to God skills we get better making those decisions. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Jay. May God’s clear direction continue to lead you.
So I take it you aren’t saying that I should have TTWWADI with a circle and red line throught it t-shirts made and sell it as a fundraiser at my Church. My pastor HATES that excuse, and these would sell like hotcakes!!!!!
(Well, maybe not hotcakes. Hotcakes are pretty awesome, aren’t they?)
Helen recently posted..No Coffee
Go for the t-shirts, Helen! It could be a creative fund raiser for something that is needed.
(Hotcakes are awesome! We’re having them for breakfast now- with strawberries and whip creme…. YUM!)
Another vote for the awesomeness of hotcakes (I hate feeling left out).
Andrea, GREAT post!! Self- assessment is so important, especially concerning the work of God… for obvious reasons.
I thought I would add my 2 cents worth. Having been part of a “mega-church” for 5 years now in Colorado Springs, and watched many people try to copy certain things to produce the same results in their own community of faith. I’m not saying this to gloat at all because I see the tragedy in this. The blueprints for YOUR influential church rests within God’s plan and purpose for you. God doesn’t necessarily call anyone to be “successful”; in fact, if you really read the truth behind following Christ, its quite the opposite! But He DOES call us to be influential. For that reason, it is important that we keep a pulse on who is coming into our congregations and don’t always assume that what worked before will continue to work. As you said, we must be diligent to seek the Lord’s strategy for our own churches, and tweak it according to the people that are coming. The longer I’m in ministry, the less I’m convinced we’re building “something†called the Kingdom, and more that we are building “Someone†called the Body of Christ who together IS the Kingdom. God cares about our people, NOT our programs!
Totally agree, Marcia! Thanks for adding that to the conversation!
I love this post! This is what the people in my church should hear/read. Jason, can’t your wife come and preach here? You are allowed to come with her. I can imagine you being miserable without her. hehe.
In our church all I do is now be a member of the prayerteam every Wednesdayevening. But i do something that is not on Sundays and while there is service. The church gave us a room and helps us, my friend and I, to take children in after schooltime on Mondays, they are 5 and 6. And on Thursdayevenings from 6.30-7.45 we have children at the age of 10, 11 and 12. Most of them don’t come from christian families and never hear or heard about Jesus. With us they do and we experience that they like it and remember it all after they come back from a Summerbreak. Their parents are so grateful because they see it’s doing good to their children. I love the children. Especially the 5 and 6 years old. It’s something I told the Lord last year and prayed if I could do something like that. Didn’t know about htis project and I’m so grateful God lead me to this. And the friend, is a woman I didn’t know before and we became good friends. I love my God, I love it how He works.
And oh, in our church God is moving too. Not always noticed and when noticed not always appreciated by some. But I love it. And also there is sometimes a guestpastor and he always forgets the liturgy. hehe. It makes me laugh because he proves that whatever happens a service is always Gods job. It’s not people doing. Every time he is in our church leading there are people disturbed because it doesn’t go the way it should be and in the end he still manages to lead the service and end it properly and the sermon is always awesome.
Still, think you should come here and preach. I’m talking to your wife now, Jason. So you know.
Thanks, Ani. I can possibly come preach depending on the location. Is it tropical??
I love when we tap into God and find His creativity for our specific situations. It was awesome that you were open to something new and keep standing despite some not being in favor. God being in control is scary for some, but it works out so much better in the end! Thanks so much for the comment.
I like your wife, Jason. You are the lucky one.
Okay now I’m writing to Andrea. I like you. If it’s tropical here? It’s tropical now. Well, it feels that way. Not always. I live in the Netherlands. It’s like London and Paris. Raining but also a lot of sun. Great Summer this year. We have the sea. Doest that count? And visiting me should be enough. We’re kidding I know. But I can always wish and dream.
I once spent a day in the Amsterdam. I was then stopped at US customs and interrogated for awhile. Come to find out, those stupid dogs sniffed out my beef jerky. I loved the time I spent in Denmark- that’s sorta close to you, right?
Ani, I try to get her to preach here, but it’s pretty hard to convince her. You may be able to do it though.
And yes, I am a very blessed man and so thankful!
Well, you could preach together. Would that help, Andrea? I was thinking about a cute couple we know who preach as guest in our church. Although they never preach together. Always separate. I don’t think that would work with them. And they have 4 children. I don’t know why I mention that about their kids. It’s late here and I’m wide awake. Not good. I have to say goodbye. Bye bye.
TTWWADI is part of the reason I became a church planter
I have absolutely no patience for that kind of thinking. I remember sitting across the table from a couple trying to explain why we don’t do things the way most churches in my tribe do things. I kept saying, “we have to ask ourselves why those things are important.” As we were all walking to wards our cars she mocked me by saying, “I have to ask myself, why oh why did I park my car all the way out there?” Some people just do not value intentionality. 
Got to love the subtle and not-so-subtle mocking.
I’ve felt it for various reasons. It doesn’t change the reality of what God’s called us to do. I have to keep telling myself. Thanks Herb.
When I first became a Christian, I never questioned what Sunday school teachers or pastors said because I didn’t know any better. But blind faith is hardly faith at all, and the deeper my faith becomes the more I find occassion to question.
And on a slight tangent, here in Texas, it seems as if children are not taught to think, they are taught to pass tests. It’s frustrating to the parents, teachers and the students. Another great guest post, Andrea. Thank you.
katdish recently posted..Everybody hurts
I’m with you, Kat. When you weather the questions and doubts and come out the other side with hard-won truth, it’s a greater and deeper faith.
I’m sorry about your lack of quality teachers in Texas too.
Hey now…I didn’t say there was a lack of quality teachers. Their hands are tied. They have to teach to the tests or find another profession. Sadly, many are doing just that.
katdish recently posted..Everybody hurts
That’s why I put the smiley face. I knew that wasn’t what you meant.
Seriously though, I know the state of education everywhere is in need of considerable overhaul. Thanks Kat.