Throughout history, God has used many people, in different ways, to promote the Good News of Jesus Christ. The content of Scripture never changes. The vehicles, however, do change. Centuries ago, in England, Christ-followers prayed, “Thy will be done.” In this century, few English-speaking Christ-followers naturally speak Elizabethan English.
Every culture in every chapter of history has its own “heart language.” It is the language you dream in. For example, few people in this decade would turn to their spouse and say, “I love thee.” Yet, believers read translations of Scripture that provide words they do not normally use. Biblical truth is powerful when it touches your heart. Jesus came to this world and looked like the people of His time and place because God is concerned about personal impact. It is technically called God incarnate. It means Jesus came in the flesh.
As Church Doctors, we help churches to become more mission effective. At this moment in history, we are in a major shift. The meaning of Scripture never changes. The words must change to fit the “audience.” The style and approach change. The meaning does not. This issue speaks to many declining churches—and whole denominations.
If you want to improve spiritual impact, learn to incarnate Jesus to your “audience”—your church members, your community, your world today. Remember, the medium is not the message. Yet, the medium impacts the effectiveness of the message. Become a “God watcher.” Look to see where—and how—the Holy Spirit is moving, working, and blessing.
Examples To Study
Here are a couple of examples. (1) The video series The Chosen. For several years, this series has presented the life of Jesus by way of video impact. Jesus and His disciples, villagers, and Pharisees speak the language the defines reality to today’s generations. Your enthusiasm about this medium may depend on your personal commitment for effective mission. Your discomfort may signal an obstacle you face for effective mission in ministry.
Many churches—and whole denominations—are declining. Some may raise the defense: “Christianity is not of interest among secular people.” In truth, this is a smoke screen cop-out. While the meaning, or truth, of Jesus may be an offense to secular people, the medium—the way you present it—should never be foreign. Want proof? Jesus came to this world as a baby with dirty diapers. He ate, danced, laughed, cried, and died. Yet, He rose again, spoke for His Father, and provided the opportunity for you and me to rise again from the dead one day.
Church Is Changing
The world of churches (and denominations) is changing radically. There are two ways to look at it. If you worship the form you inherited, you are stuck on the container. It could even be described as a form of idolatry. The Jews—at the time of Jesus—missed their future because they were focused on “the way we have always done it.” Saul (Paul) was stuck in that rut until his worldview was revolutionized by an encounter with the resurrected Jesus. That changed everything for him, for the New Testament, and for us.
If you are focused on the meaning, you are infused with the power of the Gospel. That Good News is jet fuel for your faith, for your church, and for your denomination. You are no longer subject to petrified faith, “the way we’ve always done it.” You are liberated for effective mission. You are spiritually liberated. You hold fast to the power of your faith. You are released from the prison of “the way we’ve always done it.”
This is important. Effective churches are led by empowered leaders. They are no longer trapped in the chains of tradition: “the way we’ve always done it.” They are liberated in a resurrection of action.
Today, there are an increasing number of spiritual leaders in the Christian movement. Few are structural bureaucrats. Why? Denominational politics has not yet seen the daylight of renewal. Yet, other leaders are spiritual giants who influence the liberation of the Christian movement. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the series called Jonathan and Jesus on Prime Video. Jonathan Roumie, who plays the role of Jesus on The Chosen, interviews Christian leaders and thinkers from around the world. This series should be must-see material for every pastor and all congregational leaders.
As you reflect on the vision and thinking of the leaders interviewed in the series Jonathan and Jesus, focus on the way Jonathan reflects a passion for more effective ministry. Listen carefully to the Christian leaders he meets. These are people who (like those of us who are Church Doctors) are hungry to learn, eager to pray, and energized to help your local church.
This is all about God watching: Where is God moving? How is God working? Who is God blessing? God’s Word—and the meaning behind the word—never changes. Everything else in the delivery system must change. If you insist on “the way we’ve always done it,” you might be a roadblock to the Holy Spirit. No Christ-follower does that on purpose. Satan is too subtle to be that obvious. Will your church survive? Will your denomination, conference, or movement survive? These are the wrong questions! The issue is more basic, more spiritual than all of that. Are you moving where God is moving, working where God is working, and blessing the way God is blessing? In the prayer Jesus taught, we say, “Your (not Thy) will be done…on earth, through me, through my church, among my friends, toward my community, among my colleagues, my children, and my grandchildren, in this nation, across the world…just like it is in heaven.”
“Yeah, Jesus, I want what you want. I want to be church—not just go to church. I want to be a missionary—anywhere in the world, even in my neighborhood, where I work, at school, among my friends, to my colleagues. I want to grow my church. I want to reach people who don’t know you, don’t go to church. I am your missionary to them. I get it: It’s not just to fill worship space; it’s about filling heaven. It’s about my mission to my social network. It’s a miracle. I want to be part of it, every day, in every way. Use me to change my country, my world, with the Good News about you, Jesus.”
Dr. Kent R. Hunter is the founder of Church Doctor Ministries, now led by Dr. Tracee J. Swank. Kent is the author of several books, including A Nation Reclaims Respect: One Person at a Time.