Mike Bonem
In an earlier era, we had distinct categories for professional movie critics and TV critics. The former wrote reviews of the feature-length movies that appeared on the big screen in theaters. The latter focused on shows that were broadcast over the airwaves, with cable added to their coverage later. Those lines are much less distinct now. Who should review a movie that bypasses the theater and is streamed directly? Is a 4-part series more like a movie or a TV show? Is a professional critic’s opinion more valuable than an amateur’s? And do consumers care about any of this?
Too many pastors and ministry leaders are still operating out of the categories from an old paradigm. The lines were blurring long before the pandemic. Covid has accelerated the pace of change and added new dimensions of complexity.
Church engagement is a prime example. Pre-pandemic most churches considered someone who attended at least 2 times a month to be an active participant. If they were also part of a small group or Bible study, served in some way, and contributed financially they were fully engaged (and often if they did just one or two of these). Today people may be attending in-person, online, or some of both. If they’re online, they may join the worship service live or view the recording later. They may be one mile or one thousand miles from the church. They may even participate in an online study or make a financial gift. So what is your definition of church engagement in 2021?
We could go through a similar exercise with staff (what does it mean to be a productive staff member?), with spiritual growth (what factors are most important for a person to grow spiritually?), with community (what does it mean to be in a genuine community of believers?), and more. I won’t try to resolve any of these questions in this article. In fact, I won’t try to resolve them anywhere because I believe committed, God-seeking leaders will come to different conclusions. I simply want to encourage you let go of rigid categories that may still shape your thinking. Consider that the lines are blurry, whether you like it or not, and decide how your perspective should adjust in light of this reality.
This blog first appeared in my monthly e-newsletter.
