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What is Church DNA?
DNA is best described as the basic genetic building blocks that determine who we are and ultimately what we will become.
Many in church leadership and consulting are using this concept of DNA as a benchmark for assessing church health and direction. Every church has building blocks that determine its current practices and its plans for the future.
This purpose of this blog is to help church leaders discover and evaluate the DNA that drives their values and priorities and to champion evangelism in every conversation.
Church Websites, Blogs, Podcasts, and Social Networking
April 29, 2008
Yesterday, an article was released by the Barna Group detailing the use of technology by churches. According to George Barna, “Churches are well-advised to have an intelligent and foresighted Internet strategy in order to facilitate meaningful ministry.” The survey touched on eight technologies and applications and the percentages of churches that have implemented the use of these emerging tools. Yesterday, I discussed the uses of large screens and movie clips. Today, let’s look at the ways that churches are using new media to communicate and connect with their congregations.
First, let’s pause for a moment of silence as we reflect on the passing of glossy paper newsletters as the primary means for a church to update members of ministry highlights and upcoming opportunities. Ladies and gentlemen I present to you: E-blasts. 
If 400 million people are online worldwide and they spend 91% of their time checking and responding to e-mail, then it is no secret that e-Newsletters are a way to connect with people right where they are connecting with people. Many people will respond to an e-mail the moment it is sent. I believe that the noise that outlook makes upon receipt of an e-mail has become the best illustration for classical conditioning since Pavlov’s dog. Hang on, I just got an e-mail…be right back… Read more
Barna on How Technology Impacts Your Church Experience
April 28, 2008
An article was released this morning by the Barna Group detailing the use of technology by churches to “influence people’s lives and enliven their church experience.” According to George Barna, “The internet has become one of the pivotal communications and community-building tools of our lifetime. Churches are well-advised to have an intelligent and foresighted Internet strategy in order to facilitate meaningful ministry.” The survey touched on eight technologies and applications and the percentages of churches that have implemented the use of these emerging tools. Today let’s look at the first two: large screens and movie clips.
Two-thirds of the churches surveyed by the Barna group now have large screens in their church. The most common use is to project the words to worship songs. I have found that having the words on a screen allows me to raise my head from the dusty hymnal and participate in corporate worship in a new way. For me it is not just about seeing the words on a screen, but also seeing the people in front and to the side of me making a “joyful noise”, as well.
At many mega-churches the screens are used to allow those that are too far away from the stage to look on the screen on the right or left to see the pastor during the sermon. In addition, churches are using screens for announcements before and after the service.
Finally, the are a number of churches that are using the large screens for movie clips during the sermon, Barna’s second area of discussion. I have seen this method used in a number of churches and my concern is that often the medium becomes the message. I have seen pastors do a series on a particular movie, where the movie’s theme or plot becomes the primary focus and then the pastor seeks to find Scripture to support the point of the movie. If movie clips are used, they should support a message that is based upon Scripture and not vice versa. Please, no more exegesis of Forrest Gump - Yes, I have actually seen this done.
Tomorrow, I will discuss Barna’s article further, specifically the new ways that churches are communicating with their church family.
Signs of the Times - Church Opportunity
April 18, 2008
Is outreach a part of your Church DNA? In order for a church to be effectively outward-focused, it must be aware of the main entry points for the unchurched in their community that they are trying to reach. There are two main entry points for the unchurched according to Barna Research.
The worship service is the main point of entry for the unchurched in your community. Research shows that 40% of unchurched families will first encounter the church by visiting on a Sunday morning. In fact, the first impression of a church is extremely important, because most visitors evaluate the atmosphere above the content. Therefore, the church’s goal should be to do everything possible to minimize the potential frustrations and distractions. Everything from the parking, to the crowds, and even a warm welcome all contribute to minimizing frustrations and distractions.
Another entry point into the church for those who are unchurched are church outreach events, one of the most effective ways for a church to reach out to their community. These events serve as the means for individuals to build a relational bridge to families in their neighborhoods or workplaces. Read more
5 Articles on How to Share the Gospel with Children
April 16, 2008
Evangelism.net* is doing a series this week on sharing the gospel with children. Here are the links to the five main articles:
*Evangelism.net is your source for blogs, articles, and podcasts on evangelism.
Signs of the Times - Church Future
April 14, 2008
As I mentioned in the site description above, DNA is best described as the basic genetic building blocks that determine who we are and ultimately what we will become. I apply this to the church - every church has building blocks that determine its current practices and its plans for the future.
Let’s not overlook or assume anything in our planning for the future of your church. First of all, pray that God will give you a passion for the future of your church and that he will guide your steps. Secondly, pray for creativity and a deeper insight into what relevant ministry looks like in your particular context. And finally, pray that God will protect you and encourage you in your challenge to lead your sheep to greener pastures (fields that are ripe for harvest - but that is another blog entry).
The thought of rocking the boat and leading your congregation to a future that goes against the status quo can be scary. In fact, I know that sounds like a daunting task. Allow me to motivate and inspire you with one of the greatest challenges for future ministry and courageous living that I have ever encountered.
The “Lion Chaser’s Manifesto” by Mark Batterson:
Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion.
Are you ready to “chase the lion” and boldly pursue God’s plan for your future? If so, take the next exit. Read more
Signs of the Times - Church Change
April 11, 2008
Change. Yes. I said it. Change. Soon you will have to make the choice: Is my church going to change to meet the needs of a rapidly changing culture or am I content to ride off into the sunset of the status quo?
This reminds me of the story of the young pastor who accepted a position at a small church in the Southwest. He decided that prior to the very first Sunday morning service that he would prefer not to preach behind the “old school” pulpit. You see, he was used to preaching on his feet with the Bible in hand and the freedom to walk around the stage as he spoke to the congregation. What he did not realize is that the “old school” pulpit had been around as long as the church - over 50 years. He not only surprised the congregation with this change, but they surprised him with resistance to change. That was the beginning of an uphill climb for the young pastor that only lasted six months when the leaders of the church decided to find a new pastor, one content with the status quo.
Churches like this will eventually die because they will fail to pass their faith to the next generation. Well known preacher, Chuck Swindoll, has quoted Jaroslav Pelikan of Yale on more than one occasion: “Tradition is Read more
Leadership Journal Article - “Is the Gospel Too Small?” II
April 8, 2008
In case you missed part one of my response to the Leadership Journal article by Tim Keel that suggests that the gospel today is too small - here are some highlights:
Now let’ s continue the interaction with Mr. Keel’s article. He continues his argument for the gospel having a broader scope than the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. “Where might the Holy Spirit be forcing his people to reckon with the scope of God’s work in the world, to once again consider the nature and scope of the gospel?” He continues, “There is no aspect of our lives outside the scope of God’s salvation and purposes. Salvation is not just then and there, it is also here and now.”
I would argue that the gospel is not about what we do; rather, it is simply about what Jesus has done. Ephesians 2:8-9 says it best, “8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.” We must be careful to see salvation as trust in Christ alone and not Christ plus anything else.
In the final section of Mr. Keel’s article he suggests that the gospel is about more than Christ and his role as redeemer. According to Keel, “It is obviously true and good news that Jesus and his life and work function redemptively. But when we reduce Jesus to redeemer only, we miss another essential element of our faith: that Jesus is also creator.” It seems his motivation here is that in a time that so many people are searching and exploring spirituality that the gospel as Jesus as Redeemer only is too narrow to answer the questions that seekers may have. If the Holy Spirit uses one’s search for understanding of creation or the Trinity as a means to open their eyes and ears to the gospel of grace that is great. But let’s not confuse Trinitarianism with Soteriology. I have no problem when Trinitarian explanations become a bit complex, but let’s keep the gospel clear and simple.
Keel is wrestling with cultural relevance and I respect that; however, I believe that Keel is trying to be relevant to the point that he is changing the gospel. The Bible is 66 books, whereas the gospel can be summed up in 10 words: Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.
He is changing not only the method, but the message as well. I think it is fair to say that Mr. Keel has performed an eisegesis of the gospel. We must be committed to a clear and simple gospel that is based upon sound doctrine and a careful handling of Scripture. That is the motivation behind my response to Mr. Keel.
What are your thoughts on Mr. Keel’s article? Remember to read the entire article and even check out Part I of my response to Tim Keel’s Leadership Journal Article, “An Efficient Gospel?”
Leadership Journal Article - “Is the Gospel Too Small?”
April 7, 2008
In a recent article in Leadership Journal (a publication of Christianity Today) pastor Tim Keel asks the question, “Is our gospel too small?” Allow me to interact with this article for a moment. Feel free to click here to open the article in a new tab or window. Stay with me…
First of all, let me give you the most important quote, the main idea of Mr. Keel’s article:
“In a modern world, we tend to reduce the complexity and diversity of the Scriptures to simple systems, even when our systems flatten the diversity and integrity of the biblical witness.” In other words, he is saying that modernity is to blame for what he considers to be a narrow definition or even oversimplification of the gospel. Keel continues, “And the gospel itself gets reduced to a simplified framework of a few easily memorized steps.”
In response to Mr. Keel, I want to make my argument as clear and simple as the gospel. Check out Paul’s explanation of the gospel in I Corinthians 15:1-8:
1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also…”
Paul used four verbs to define the gospel in this passage. Christ died. He was buried. He rose again. He was seen. Based upon this passage we can define the gospel by which we are saved in just 10 words: Christ died for our sins and rose form the dead. That is the gospel - clear and simple.
Is our gospel too small? I would say most of the time it is too large. Read more
Church DNA By the Book
March 28, 2008
There are a myriad of books aimed at pastors that focus on the purpose of the church. What many of these authors do not realize is they are promoting their priority DNA type. Some of the titles include, “The Connecting Church”, “The Disciple-Making Church”, and “The Equipping Church”. With all of these biblically-based books on the purpose of the church, how can you effectively decipher what DNA elements are essential for your community?
I recommend we look at the life and mission of Christ to determine what our mission should be. The first thing that we can learn from the Gospel accounts is that our Lord Jesus Christ saw his primary task as that of Savior. Jesus says of himself in Luke 19:10, “the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” What does that mean for the church today? It means that we need to look beyond the walls of our church and find those in need of a Savior. Sadly, most churches today are inwardly focused. If they were evaluated in terms of the familiar parable of the lost sheep, they would be more interested in shepherding the 99 than “seeking and saving” the one lost sheep. We need to be what one author calls, “an outward-facing force”. If reaching the lost is a priority of Jesus then it should be our priority as the church.
One of my favorite selections from Scripture that encourages outreach and evangelism is found in Colossians 4:5-6: Read more