A Godward Church
January 31, 2008 – 1:36 pm(taken from here)
1. The Traditional Church
Appeal to the world with church programs and door to door evangelism. Conclude sermons by inviting people to “walk the aisle” – Jesus longs for a personal relationship with you, so invite him into your heart.
2. The Seeker Church
Build everything around the idea of being non-Christian or “seeker” friendly. Remove churchy cultural barriers and appeal to “felt needs.” Tell them Jesus promises purpose, fulfillment, and better relationships.
3. The Missional Church
Missions isn’t just one activity the church participates in; it defines the church’s essence. So move into the city. Get involved with the arts, schools, and soup kitchens. Be incarnate in the culture and transform it. Serve and bring healing.
All three models start with a secondary question – “How can we reach the world?” Good question, but it’s not primary. The primary question is “How do we worship?” Worship is primary, because God is primary. As John Piper has said, missions exists because worship doesn’t. What’s worship? It’s imaging God in Christ – listening to him and then acting like him. 9Marks proposes that churches should begin with worship, which brings us to another model:
4. A Godward Church
A bunch of people get together in a room. Someone stands up, opens a Bible, and says, “This is what God says.” He explains it. The church sings, prays, shares the bread and cup, and goes home.
Not very market savvy? About as exciting as watching a seed planted? Wait, there’s more: The words come with power, the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction. Consciences are pierced. Lives changed. People go home worshiping God by hating sin, loving each other, and seeking their neighbors.
A Godward church is a worshiping church, and a worshiping church is a supernaturally attractive church. It’s distinct like salt and bright like light. The people even begin to look like… sons and daughters of God. Talk about appealing! And it all begins with listening.
We will look like Him as we listen to Him.
One Response to “A Godward Church”
Interesting. 9marks does make the good point that primary question ought to be “how do we worship?” The other 3 churches are built on methodology.
How about a Godward missional church? =D
By Ray on Jan 31, 2008