April 4th, 1999 was the first service of Christ the King Community Church, International. Happy Tenth Birthday to us! God has done some awesome things in ten years, don't you think? I think He's even shown off a little bit. There are now CTK groups in a number of counties, states and countries, and a few thousand people have been baptized. Praise the Lord!
One of the best questions I get is "How will CTK keep from institutionalizing?" I hear this question from leaders everywhere - in the U.S., India, Africa. It is actually comforting to me that so many people are concerned about the same thing. I usually answer, "I'm not sure, but I'm concerned about that too." None of us want to perpetuate a lifeless organization.
Because of the real threat of instutionalization, I am conducting an informal poll at the ten year mark of our first service, April 4th, 2009, asking, "Is God still at work in this story?" Please post your response at www.isgodstillatwork.blogspot.com. I am looking for feedback and examples. I am anticipating some good responses, but if the answer from your perspective turns out to be "No" I would want to know that too.
Yes, God is still at work in this story and VERY much so!
ReplyDeleteThe CTK model of 'small groups' is proving to be a success story in Africa, given the fact that the institutional model of 'doing church', due its rigidity, it's attempt to establish fixed values, rules and norms on a cross-cultural basis, thereby attempting to create a virtual 'church society', which has proven cannot be applied 'across the board' and 'cross-culturally', has stagnated, causing the institutionalized church to 'lose more' than 'gain more'.
The simplicity of CTK in the words 'come as you are, there's always a place for you', gives an opportunity for those who feel rejected by the institutionalized church, due to a perception of 'not fitting in' as a result of poverty, social standing, etc, to 'come freely'.
Likewise, the small group model fosters intimacy and closeness, which has proven less to be the case in an institutionalized model, which, due to its sheer volume of numbers, rigidity, rules and regulations, restriction of personal belief liberty and authoritarianism found in its hierarchial structure, creates a perception of isolation and restriction. In the small group model, having an opportunity to 'come as you are', the bias of an institutionalized model, clearly present in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, is nullified. All are equal in the CTK model.
The CTK model is also not a 'respector of persons', like our God, as it is open to ALL, 'as they are' and in their own cultural settings. Likewise, the vision and mission can be applied universally, irrespective of cultural differences, which is directly in line with Jesus' command to 'go therefor and make disciples of ALL nations', 'baptizing' and 'teaching to observe whatsover I have commanded you'.
Lastly, the simplicity of the CTK model is causing religious institutions in Africa to attempt to adapt their way of 'doing church', by adopting the 'small group' model, trying to integrate it within their current systems. So far, it has failed dismally, as it seeks to 'add to' a rigid system, without any prospect of flexibility, which is essential to 'come as you are', as cultures will never change and conform to one set of rules 'across the board'.
Yes and again YES, God is STILL at work in the CTK story!
God is alive and at work inside and outside many churches and denominations around the world. It does seem that God has plenty of room to continue to move in the CTK story.
ReplyDeleteIs God at work in this story? Definitely. It is evidenced by Dave's first paragraph - more and more people around the globe are learning that through Jesus Christ they can have eternal life - and there is hope! More and more people each year are dedicating their lives to following Jesus, teaching others about Him, and becoming his hands and feet on this earth.
Just from what we've observed and experienced over the years, it would be my opinion that there are some core strategies that will keep CTK from avoiding the institutional trap. Without even one of these strategies, I don't know if I'd recognize a CTK church.
Some core strategies that really stick out most in our minds to form our context of CTK over the years, strategies that may have a lot to do with there being so much room for God to move through CTK, include..
...Keep things Simple: The question "What is so special about CTK?" seems to have been answered many times with, "nothing." God is special, the church is simple.
...Keep things "Chaordic" (Chaos + Order): Empowering regular people who are very possibly bouncing around in and out of church, none of whom are even members of CTK, to minister without "church control" is a very risky proposition for any church - really too horrifying to comprehend in many arenas. Allowing God to move without too many administrative constraints is absolutely priceless. The attitude of CTK when someone wants to minister and is looking to CTK for support is most often, "Yeah, sure, you-betcha" (direct quote).
...Keep the "main thing the main thing": I believe the CTK vision, mission, and values to be God inspired, inspiring, and make total sense. Our Mission: to create an authentic Christian community that effectively reaches out to unchurched people in love, acceptance and forgiveness so that they may experience the joy of salvation and a purposeful life of discipleship. That compass in one hand, the bible in the other, and prayer are the best navigational tools for a moving, organic church such as this.
...Keep the arrows pointed out: another little sentence bulging with meaning. Bottom line, like Jesus, meet people where "they" (or "we") are. Whether it's being the "salt and light" in a prison, at a homeless shelter, at our jobs, or if it's creating an environment at a worship center on Sunday mornings that is comfortable and inviting within the local culture, I pray that each individual involved with CTK works hard to remember to keep the Arrows Out. I'm praying for myself, too, on this one - it's often easier said than done.
CTK is a movement of people following Christ. Anyone or any group of people can get side tracked at any point. Could this church become institutionalized? Of course. Is it likely? I don't think so. Not in our lifetimes, anyway.
Are we asking the right question?
ReplyDeleteGod is always at work. But if the challenge is to avoid 'institionalization" then perhaps we need to ask a different question.
Where are we becoming institutionalized?
What percentage of our resources, time and effort are going towards maintaining the 'institution', uh, sorry, Structure/Infrastructure?
How many folks within our ranks are committed disciples or committed attenders?
(How can you tell? CAN you tell?)
Perhaps it's not IS God at work but WHERE IS God at work in the CTK story? How effectively are we joining Him?
Many churches are asking a lot of questions these days, let's just make sure they're the right ones even if they're also the hard ones.
The above was from Heartspeak!
ReplyDeleteYes, God is in this Story and God is working through the small group meetings.Here in Western Kenya many groups are being formed and many more are coming in and they love the CTK story.Surely this is the work of God.
ReplyDeleteMany Blessings
Salim Mayeki Shaban
Pastor -CTK Bungoma
After reading the comments above, I think I have to agree with Heartspeak, are we asking the right question? The phrase "church creep" came up from you Dave months ago and I think that is still on your mind now with the question; is God still in the CTK story? Do we see a creep toward the "institutional" church in the CTK story? That is the question, I think for us here in the United States. What variables in our story contribute to "church creep", a move towards the institutional church? One of the things I love about CTK is your strong emphasis that we are about relationships. We must keep that focus and work to prevent elements that creep into the story that distract us from relationship.
ReplyDelete