"The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It
cannot be changed without changing our thinking." - Albert Einstein
"Change is a challenge. Many want change until it is required of them!"
- Me
Jesus' greatest challenge was the
religious status quo of his day. His inaugural message declared the Kingdom and
addressed the need to change the thinking of his culture. He stated: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt 4:17) Repent
is the Greek word metanoéo and means: "think differently after, after a change
of mind; to repent, literally, think differently afterwards." The current
mindset was steeped in rigid, religious tradition. He knew that to grasp the
significance of the Kingdom required new values and beliefs, a new paradigm.
Not only did Jesus know it
required a new way of thinking, but it also required different behavior. To
reinforce this change, He not only preached the Kingdom but also demonstrated
its power. We are told in Matthew 4:23, "And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching
in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing
every disease and every affliction among the people." (emphasis added). It was not enough to talk about
something new, but it required demonstration.
Just as in Jesus' day, it is our
current culture that is the major obstacle to Kingdom demonstration. According
to The World English Dictionary, Culture is defined as: "the total of the
inherited ideas, beliefs, values, and knowledge, which constitute the shared
bases of social action. The total range
of activities and ideas of a group of people with shared traditions, which are
transmitted and reinforced by members of the group." It is the current systems of beliefs in a
local congregation that will hinder the impartation of Kingdom truths.
This definition reveals three
issues that make the transformation of cultural thinking, whether societal or
congregational, so challenging. They are:
1. Culture Is Inherited.
The core beliefs and values that
define the culture are passed from person to person, mostly without question or
investigation. Because it is considered the social norm and those declaring
them are trusted, it is considered to be true.
2. Social Behavior Reinforces Culture.
Much of the current culture is
caught, not taught. Through the accepted
behavior of the group, the belief system is continually demonstrated and
reinforced.
3. The "Cultural Police."
The culture provides a sense of
belonging and is an integral part of a member's identity. It is here they find
a place of belonging and security. When there is a questioning or challenge to
the cultural values, it is perceived as threatening and the individuals
themselves become the "cultural police!" The typical response is one of
judgment, condemnation and in many cases ostracism.
These challenges are present in
nations, ethnic groups, religious organizations (denominations) and churches.
Yes - churches! With careful examination, you will find each organization or
local church has its own culture, based on a shared belief system. These have
been passed on, either doctrinally or from longstanding group conduct. It is
these shared beliefs that result in the accepted social actions within "the
church family." Subsequently, anyone who challenges them becomes the victim of
judgment and labeled as a troublemaker.
To those seeking to transform the
current culture, you must be aware of these obstacles, for they will be the
origins of resistance. If you are attempting to change a church culture,
prepare to be labeled: a heretic, compromiser or even backslidden. Understand,
you will be challenging age-old beliefs regarding the church and its purpose.
Transforming Culture
"Culture does not change because we desire to change it. Culture
changes when the organization is transformed: the culture reflects the
realities of people working together every day." - Francess Hesselbein
Changing church culture requires
faith, guts and determination. The steps are clear, yet the application can be
touchy and dangerous. Space and time prohibits a detailed exposition of the
necessary procedures: but the following four steps summarize the process
necessary to transform the current culture.
1. Identify the Strongholds
To change a behavior, the current
pattern of thinking (beliefs and values) must be identified. The foundation of
church culture is a pattern of thought that dictates appropriate actions. Alan
Hirsch in the book Verge states these are: "Unspoken assumptions and beliefs
that over time take on the power of controlling myths or codes." These are the
obstacles of change. I prefer the term strongholds: they are a fortified
pattern of thinking that limits or defines the perception of reality.
Spend time listening to the
conversation or story of the church; it will give you insight into what the
common belief of the people may be. Ask tough questions: What is it based on?
Where did it come from? Why does it continue? I believe many times you will
find the source is based on a traditional view of church and the associated
man-made paradigm of behavior.
Strongholds of thinking for
church cultures can include things like: Sunday's are the main day for service,
church is a building or place I go, ministry is the responsibility of the
professional or any other number of examples that limit the expression of the
body of Christ. These limiting strongholds need to be discovered and addressed
before change can begin. Sometimes
outside help is needed to give an objective view of the strongholds. For
further contrast of Kingdom mindset verses a religious one see our blog:
"Living In Your Right Mind."
Also, please note: some
individuals do not even understand how their patterns of thinking can be
limiting. Remember, it is inherited! Then there are others who do not know what
they do not know!
2. Create a New Metaphor
Create new stories that define
the expected behavior. A metaphor is a shorthand description of an underlying
belief system. The old culture used certain terminology to transfer and
reinforce its beliefs. Since these words have a contextual meaning, it is wise
to create a new metaphor or word picture to convey a new thought.
In his teaching, Jesus often used
parables: common stories of life to make a connection with spiritual truths.
Creating stories or metaphors will allow a communication of new beliefs and
behaviors.
As an example, I try not to use
the term church. To many people, it is a building where an event takes place on
Sunday, a place we go to or a particular denomination to belong to. I try to
use the term assembly, gathering or ekklesia; these are more true to the Greek
word translated church
3. Make it Real
As we have mentioned, Jesus not
only taught a new Kingdom paradigm, he modeled it. Later, after a time of
apprenticeship, he sent out 12 and 70 disciples. He taught and then gave them
practical experience.
Not only should a new way of
thinking be taught, but also opportunities to demonstrate this thinking should
be created. While in graduate school I had two types of classes, lecture and
labs. In lecture we learned facts and principles, in the labs we developed
skills by practicing what we learned in the lectures. Later, we treated patients in the school
clinic under the supervision of experienced doctors. A learning experience was
provided for us.
As another example, when I teach
the series on Living In Kingdom Authority, the last session is an opportunity
for everyone to speak healing to those that need it. It is during this time
that many are used for the first time in the miraculous! The idea is to give
them an opportunity to demonstrate the truths they have heard in the previous
sessions.
To reinforce the new thought
pattern, create actions to demonstrate a new lifestyle and involve people to experience
it firsthand. As a note of caution, in most church settings the common form of
teaching is the lecture style: you may find it that some are challenged when
you ask them to act on what they have heard - be patient, but persistent!
4. Enlist Trailblazers
Trailblazers are those who are
the first to go, making a way for other to follow. Trailblazers are the early
adapters, the fellow visionaries, and risk takers, innovators who are
dissatisfied with the status quo: seek them out and involve them. Many early
adapters can be found on the fringes. They are there because they do not agree
with the status quo. Give them the framework and then allow them to experiment
with the applications. Learn from their lessons, regroup and go again,
continually seeking to add others as they show interest.
Make sure to publicly support the
early adapters accomplishments. This rewards the desired behavior and supports
the beliefs and values. As time progresses, more will join the early adapters;
eventually, the actions will become the "norm" and the majority will join and
ta-da! You have created a new culture!
Easy, right? Yea, right! But yes, it is right!
It is a slow process to change a
church paradigm, hang in there. As the old saying goes: "Rinse and repeat!" Until
the culture has been transformed.
Martin Schmaltz
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