A Comment On Elasticity

I have found that many churches can only come so far towards operating as the Unity which thay already are in Christ, and that there is an innability to go through the necessary decrease of 'what already is' in place that concretes and cements membership loyalty, meets 'front vision raised 'expectations and tribal unity. (you know what - i know its difficult to steer a ship set on one course - but, were only asking people to come in line with the person of Jesus at the end of the day)

Just a comment really.......... peoples elastic seems to have greatly differing lengths - heck, no one has even asked them to cut it! Is it anywonder that one begins to seek out those in Christ who have no elastic?


So - theres this big social reform group in the UK called Shaftesbury Society (go to their web and view the challenging church campaign - its awesome). They have been given total access to church congregations and organisations in two cities. Having looked at voluntry hours, paid hours etc - they see that the church is doing or has the capacity to do far more that the local government to bring change and reform. However, there is terrible duplicity in resources, also a bend towards preferring to work with non christian agencies over other aspects of church (which i can empathise with - probably less politics). The other issue is they are willing, and good at PLUGGING GAPS.............. in fact so good at time and money going into gap plugging, that rarely to they sit down and plan and strategise towards grass ROOTS reforms which could see those areas go throuhg long term changes across the board. So - wasted resources and in fact, a failure to fulfill some aspects of what it means to be Gods government in a place - setting the standard as it were, having answers in Gods genesis creativity to see change come that others dont.

Good news.....the Anglicans seem to be ahead of the game (i think the US equivellant is episcopal) - they seem to be getting engaged in new ways like no one else is - is this because they realise the oild jar is nearly empty - and are willing to risk pouring out their last meal at the prophets call? Could it be that their PAROCHIAL sense of responsibility means they are halfway to seeing CITY and effectively engaging in market place ministry.....
There are 3 - heck - no - 4 leaders networks in my town - the reformed bunch - clappers - evangelicals - apparantly for the city guys too. I tell you - the TRADS are miles ahead in some stuff - totally screwy in some liberalism and conservative polarisation there, but most of their meetings seemed to be about their engagement in CIVIC responsibility, working with Govt agencies etc - the last one of those i was at - get this...... they were lookign to twin the town with a poor village in Rumania, that instead of partnering other middle class holiday exchange places - they wanted to adopt a backwater place to invest and sow into - to covenant with. WOW WOW and WOW Again............. how redemptive is that..and it was the local Govt who approached the church to make it happen.

So - the thing is - we have the resources - the people - the capacity - but it is being expended elsewhere. Thats even more annoying knowing that!