Tools To Develop Vital Churches

Club or Clan or Incarnational Community?

Club or Clan or Incarnational Community?
Club or Clan Behavior-
The Comfortable Recliner
Purpose Displaced: Satisfy People Incarnational Community-
The Transforming Cell
Purpose In Place: Transform People
Concern with structure, building and organization. Clear about common core values: Why we are here
Questions of survival by leaders and members dominant. Questions of what can we do for others prevalent.
Attention in conversation to obstacles. Conversations focus on assets, talents and gifts.
Agenda is problem based, and problems are not easily solved. Agenda is opportunity based, focused on possibilities.
Distrust of judicatory and others is a prevalent attitude. Partnership with judicatory (and others) is a possibility desired.
Guilt, shame, grief are feelings just barely hidden beneath surface. Redemption is the attitude; people are possibilities, not problems.
Money is always a problem, either lack of or too much of. Money is not the main thing.
Scripture study and its consequences are minimized. Scripture is studied as a dynamic source for mission.
Worship repetitive and dull, led by same few people. Worship more lively, diverse leadership.
New Members must adopt values of the club or clan. New Members seen as potential new life and diversity
Delusion and Denial are frequently reported as fact. Reality and Truth are upheld and expected in reporting.
Where did we learn to think like this? What will we let go of in order to do mission?
see also Behold I do a New Thing, Transforming Communities of Faith by C. Kirk Hadaway Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, 2001.

For more information:
Tools To Develop Vital Churches
523 Shane Circle
Winter Springs, FL 32708 US
Email: editor@ToolsToDevelopVitalChurches.com
(407)423-3567
Fax: (407)872-0006

Custom Web Site Design & Ecommerce