Being involved in ministry, reading as much as I do, teaching in public and private education, and living among a missionary community, people talk a lot about paradigms. And to some degree, it is fine. The “how” and “why” of things are both important discussions to have. I never want to completely divorce ourselves from such conversations, especially if we are truly seeking what God would have us do.
But there are some who become so enamored with a paradigm that it literally becomes idolatry. That is harsh, I know, but it is that dangerous. While Moses is on the mountain, we make a golden idol out of our own culture (the Israelites identified themselves as shepherds). The golden serpent used by Moses to stop a plague was burned as an idol a couple hundred years later.
This is the way with God. People should learn this, but we don’t. We are very hard headed (or stiff-necked, if you like that term better). We like our ways better. They feel more safe and secure. And sooner or later, people equate God’s working with the vessel He might have used.
As I’ve said time and again, God uses jackasses, but that doesn’t justify the jackass. Just because God might have used something once, or even for a time, that doesn’t prove it has His seal of approval. It just means He’s merciful, loving, and long suffering.
The danger comes when people become proselytes for formulas, paradigms, systems, organizations, or the teachings of men. The gospel isn’t megachurch or house church, it is Christ.
I said something similar to a brother the other night while we were talking at a bar (gasp!). As we were talking about the supremacy of Christ, I explained that “I am not here to preach house church. I’m here to preach Christ.” Most of you know we have a fellowship that meets in our home, and if you have to give that a name, then fine, you can use house church or organic church or whatever. But even definitions of house church or organic church don’t fully express what the heart of the Body of Christ is to be (and what we are attempting to be). They may be closer, but closer still isn’t a bullseye.
Funny enough, my young friend in the bar was surprised. Why? Most people end up becoming a proselyte for the traditions or teachings of men instead of Christ and His Church.
In reality, every paradigm has its pitfalls. Paul warns churches about all kinds of things, all the time. You’re never gonna find a formula or system or structure that diminishes problems or contentions. In fact, the closer you are to real relationship and biblical church the more you’ll expose. Any attempt to gloss over the pitfalls, to deny them, or to be uber defensive about your paradigm, the more you become a Pharisee.
So my counsel is … keep your mouth shut about your paradigm. Do all you can to get people to see the supremacy of Christ and the need to love one another as Christ loved us. If you produce a people who give all they have and go out and turn a world upside down, you’ve done something right, and it probably had very little to do with your model.
Peace.