If you have not read my previous post - read it now... What can the church learn from the political campaigns?Now let me seed this discussion a bit...
In a political campaign - the candidate knows what they want to accomplish.... and while the church claims to... do they really? A clear vision is critical.
In a political campaign they continually share the vision - elect so-and-so. The church struggles because many don't really know what the vision really is.
In a political campaign - there may be differences in the primary - but once they get past the convention everyone is on the same page. Consider how Joe Biden relentlessly attacked Barack Obama before and now is his VP (and on the same page)... We in the church will have differences of opinion - but must pull together to get the "real job" done.
Now it's your turn. What can we learn from this process?
4 comments:
Three quick points came to my mind
1.)Choose your party
There are distinct fundamental differences between parties and we can clearly see "whose" side people are on from listening to them talk. We need to decide "whose" side we are on and with enthusiasm...SERVE.
2.)Quit giving "Stump Speeches"
Quit giving the politically correct stump speech about our relationship with Christ. We should unapologetically speak the truth without concern of other's opinion of us.
3.)Learn the power of numbers
Instead of thinking that the direction of the church is left up to only an elect few staff members, understand that there is power in all of the members coming together for one vision. Kind of like campaigns being funded not by a few large donations, but by the collected efforts of many.
"Ison" now - that's what I'm talking about - good job!
I know one thing NOT to take from the political campaigns....an on-going of verbally slapping each other in the face. It was like watching my 6 yr. old and 10 yr. old fighting....was waiting for one of them to hollar out "Mom, he's not being nice to me." The debate would have only taken about 30 minutes last night had they just answered the questions. Watching "Americas' funniest videos" was way more interesting.
I'm afraid it has been a lesson in what-not-to-do, as it relates to faith and the kingdom of God...
1. Campaigns exist to promote the leader. In the church, God's design is for leaders to promote the people (though we see it modeled the other way all the time).
2. In campaigns, it's all about the event. You get people to make a "decision" the will determine their (sic!) future. Though this is how a lot of people talk about Christianity, I think Jesus models a faith that is intended to be more of a journey that has several key points of commitments and evidences of maturity all along the way. Our faith is intended to move us toward the image of Jesus reflected in us, not simply praying a prayer, a.k.a. marking the right box on a ballot.
3. In campaigns the ultimate commodity is image. You can't afford to be really authentic-- it's too risky. On the other hand, the church should be a community of real people who live authentic and vulnerable lives, modeled by its leaders.
4. Campaigns often don't seem to differentiate in priority of issues. On a scale of 1 to 10, everything is a 10: health care, social security, the economy, national security, civil liberties, judgment, education, etc. In the church, not everything is a 10. The death and resurrection of Jesus is a 10. What translation of the Bible you prefer is probably a 1. (However, as we all know, there are many churches that treat 1's like 10's.)
5. In campaigns, the most utilized way of influencing people is through well-placed rhetoric (either inspiring or fear-based). Commercials, billboards, debates, yard signs. "America first." "Change you can believe it." I think the leadership example of Jesus says influence comes through relationships, serving one another, and tangible expressions of love. "They will know you are my disciples if you love one another."
I guess that's enough for now. There's a lot to learn from the political campaigns, but I'm afraid it mostly helps me see how the ways of God are fundamentally different from the ways of the rest of the world!
*btw, I really appreciate you chatting with me today. Thanks, bro!
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