J.R. Briggs

If the government restricted your church from gathering each Sunday, what would your church look like? 

If your church was unable to gather in groups larger than 50, or even 10, what would your church look like? And how would it shape the way you think about your church in how it joins God’s mission? 

Over the past several years I’ve posed these hypothetical questions to numerous groups of church leaders. In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, these questions are no longer hypothetical; they are our new reality, whether we like it or not. 

As we’ve already felt – and will continue to feel for quite some time – the myriad effects of the coronavirus, the Church is in unprecedented times. How shall we respond? Despite the difficulties, uncertainties, and setbacks this has brought (and will continue to bring) to our global village, there are many reasons for hope as we think about what localized distributed expressions and extensions of the Church could look like.  

But this will necessitate an un-learning and relearning, which will require large doses of wisdom, courage, and compassion. American futurist Alvin Toffler said,  “The illiterate of the 21^st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”And so, it is with courage that we must lean into these unprecedented times by being prepared and ready, while also remaining full of hope and expectancy for the Spirit to work. And it is our calling to follow that Spirit. 

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A few months ago I was leading a small group and explained the theme of the book of Deuteronomy. If one could summarize the entire book into just one word it would be: remember. Before entering the Promised Land, Moses wanted to remind the people of Israel of God’s faithfulness and His command that they remind faithful to this Faithful God. God’s lovingkindness was clearly seen all throughout Israel’s story; before a new chapter was about to be written, Moses wanted to make sure the people did not forget God and His call in His people.

This idea of remembering God’s faithfulness in each season has been – and continues to be – crucial for God’s people because we are quite forgetful people. We forget important formative moments in our lives and in the stories of our churches. As I reflect back on the past year in our network, I have certainly learned new lessons; but what has been most significant has come by way of reminders of what I already know (but, on occasion, had somehow forgotten). Three particular reminders stick out to me from the past year.

Reminder #1: Ministry is difficult. We’ve walked with leaders, pastors and elder teams through some difficult situations this year. Sometimes ministry hardships are unfathomable. There are moments I’ve shaken my head and thought, “You can’t make up this stuff!” The Evil One is real and he can be quite strategic at times. There’s not a single pastor I’ve ever met whose pastored for more a few years who hasn’t told me being a pastor is hard. Yes, as if I needed the reminder, ministry is difficult. Excruciatingly difficult.

Reminder #2: If we try to take the ministry journey by ourselves, it can be toxic and harrowing lonely. We know, of course, community is important. We preach series on it in our churches. We write this as one of the core values on our websites. It’s so important we just can’t get away from it. It’s crucial not just to churches, but also for pastors and leaders, too. In October, as I led a few sessions at this year’s Genesis Church Planter Training Week in McCall, Idaho, I reflected upon the friendships that were first forged with other planters a dozen years ago at Ecclesia’s first-ever Genesis week in Richmond, VA. And I have told numerous potential Ecclesia member churches and pastors, “I shiver to think where I would be today without these friendships and relationships in my life.”

Reminder #3: Perseverance and steadfastness is way forward. Although ministry is hard – and it can feel deeply lonely at times – I was reminded it’s also worth the effort. But the effort comes not through flash-in-the-pan gimmicks or instant success changes. It’s about the faithful plodding, week in and week out. Faithfulness is not about quick and easy jumps to the top. It’s a marathon – and what is needed is a gutsy resoluteness to not give up. It is the long-view perspective is keeps me us all in ministry.

These reminders are not brilliant lessons; they are what we already know, but often forget.

Ministry is hard. It’s can’t be taken alone. It’s a marathon that involves perseverance and steadfastness to the cause of Christ. These are nothing fancy, nothing sexy. But it is the call of Jesus on our lives and in our ministries. Which makes me all the more grateful for our network, which values, affirms and reminds me of these important truths often.

Recently I had a phone meeting with Paul Caminiti who serves on staff with the Institute for Bible Reading (instituteforbiblereading.org). Formerly, he served as the Bible Publisher for Zondervan and the Vice President of Bible Engagement at Biblica (formerly known as the International Bible Society). Paul shared with me the research that he and his team had discussed: the average America (religious or irreligious) household owns four Bibles – and yet, over 700 people give up Bible reading for good every single day.

The research also found three main reasons people give up Bible reading: (1) People read the Bible in fragments. (2) People read the Bible out of context (3) People read the Bible in isolation.

What are pastors to do with the disconnect between Americans’ Bible ownership and the lack of Bible engagement? Well, Paul and his team are encouraging people to read the Bible in three ways (as a foil to the findings in the research): (1) Encourage people to read the complete story of God (2) Challenge people to understand the Bible in context (3) Work to have people read the Bible in community.

In our conversation, Paul shares three “mantras” with others in an effort encourage further Scripture engagement:  

• Fluency is more important than literacy

• Read real

• Implication is more important than application.

On the surface, the research and mantras may sound simplistic, yet I find it to be incredibly helpful as I think about people in our church. But I’m left with questions: Where have I (maybe without knowing it) encouraged people to read their Bibles, but not challenged them to engage with it? Am I preaching only out of my “favorite texts” or heavy on the New Testament passages? Where might I be able to provide more context, background and understanding of what was going on in the time of the Biblical story that might help shed light on understanding and impact on my own life?

More questions come to me: Where could we encourage people to read, discuss and live out Scripture together with others, rather than simply prescribing a “personal daily quiet time” approach to Scriptural engagement? Where and how might I encourage people to be fluent with the Bible (like being fluent in Spanish) rather than simply know facts (like just knowing Spanish vocabulary words)? Where can I encourage people to “read real” by asking the tough, hard, complex and uncomfortable questions about the text rather than just moving on and ignoring the questions themselves? Can I challenge people to search for what implications this story/passage has on our personal and communal lives rather than just giving them a few application points at the end of the teaching?

On a ridiculously practical side of things, we’ve taught people in our church (whether they’re seminary graduates or they’ve never owned a Bible) to ask five questions every time they read a Bible passage.

• What’s going on in the passage itself?
• What comforts or encourages me in the passage?  
• What makes me uncomfortable or confronts me, frustrates me or upsets me in the passage?
• What does this reveal about the nature of God or the character of Jesus?
• What will I do with what I just read within the next seven days?

Certainly, there are other questions that could be asked when engaging with Scripture. But try these on for size in your congregation and see if people are engaging the Scriptures more deeply, broadly, frequently and authentically.

If you were looking to hire a staff role or recruit a key volunteer at the church how would you know if they were the right fit? Is it discernment in prayer? Is it by their experience in ministry? Their skill set and personality? The confidence of a search committee or elder team? A spiritual gifts inventory and enneagram assessment? A feeling in your gut? A combination of the above?

As I look back on my ministry experience, I realize that sometimes I hired or recruited the right person. They were a wonderful fit and they (and everyone around them) thrived. But I also remember that there are many other times where I made the wrong decision and completely blew it. The leader I thought would be a good fit turned out to be a disaster – and I should have seen it coming.

So, how do we go about in the discernment process? I’ve found a simple and easy to remember guide of 6 characteristics (all starting with C) – along with a guiding question for each – helps the process. Several of the C’s come from other spaces (some even the business world) but I do believe they can be helpful in the church as well.

[1] Character: This character always needs to be first on the list. The leader must be full of integrity and honesty and possess purity in all areas of life. We talk about the need to surround ourselves with F.A.T. leaders – those who are faithful, available and teachable. Great leaders may possess the other 5 C’s below, but if they are not full of integrity and character, don’t consider having them join the team!

Question: Could I completely trust my children with this person?

(2) Competency: Certainly, God can use anyone with any skill set. This is not suggesting a corporate headhunter mentality in the church. People’s value as a child of God is not measured in their productivity or effectiveness. This is simply to make sure that they are the right fit – that their capability and proficiency matches the responsibilities of the job. I’ve seen too many wonderful people hired or put into key roles where they are just not capable of fulfilling the tasks that have been asked of them.

Question: Is this person capable of doing what we are asking them to do in this particular role (i.e. is this the right fit, based on their proficiency and skill set)?

(3) Chemistry: So much of ministry is relationships. Chemistry with those you serve alongside of is important. It doesn’t mean we have to be best friends with everyone we work with. But it is important for us to consider chemistry, both on a personal and an organizational perspective. On a personal side, is there relational and emotional intelligence and spiritual maturity exhibited in their life? Are they kind and caring, do they work hard and yet have a good sense of humor? Do I enjoy working and serving alongside this person and can we be both honest and honoring to one another in these roles? On an organizational side, is this person passionate about the mission of what we are doing here in our church – or are they simply looking to serve with friends or looking for any opportunity to lead?

Question: Is this person someone that could sharpen me and I could sharpen him or her, while also bringing out the best in him or her? And, is there a passion for and a clear alignment with the mission of our church?

(4) Consistency: Trust is built through consistency.  A leader must be responsible with big things (finances, people’s stories, relationships, etc) as well as small things (follow-through, showing up on time and when they say they will do something). Therefore, a leader must be full of trustworthiness and dependability.

Question: Have they exhibited consistency in all areas of their life and show themselves to be responsible? Can I trust them to do what they say they are going to do?

(5) Capacity: This C is related to Competency, but slightly different. This is not entirely about skill level; this also involves how much confidence people will be and how much trust they will put in the leader they are choosing to follow. Is there capacity growing or is there an evident ceiling? Those with high capacity have a tenacity to get their hands dirty and “figure it out.” They don’t give up easily. They trust, they persevere, they don’t give up and they push through when things are difficult – and others seem to notice.

Question: how confident will people be in following this person’s leadership, especially into new and uncertain areas?

(6) Calling: This is another significant C. In the secular world, you may be able to possess the first 5 C’s and be good at your job. But in the kingdom, we believe that the Spirit calls us into specific callings of vocation, especially in ministry. Calling is much more sacred and significant than a job or a fun ministry leadership role. Leaders with calling know that God have a confidence that God has brought things together in such a way that they can’t not respond to what He is asking of us.

Question: is this a simply a “good idea” or a true sense of being called to this position?

Certainly, discernment is important. These are not intended to be a formula or an equation; they are intended to be a form use with intention. Understand your context, your people and God’s specific call on your life as you use this tool. But next time you are recruiting or hiring for a key ministry position, utilize the tool of the 6 C’s and see if it is a helpful part of the discernment process.

You’ve probably seen the Learning Pyramid before. Since learning about the pyramid a few years ago, it has been a tremendous tool in my preparation and presentation when preaching a sermon, teaching a class or equipping ministry leaders in a training event. Sadly, for the first several years I focused too much on how I was teaching and not enough on how people learn. Even more, I noticed how often I focused almost entirely on just talking at people. No wonder people couldn’t remember or put into practice what I was teaching!

Of course, as the National Training Laboratories has found in their research, the more we push down into the pyramid, the more people retain what they’ve learned. In my teaching preparation I often pull out the pyramid and think, “How far down the pyramid can I push this teaching?” I don’t get down to the bottom every single time, but I absolutely make sure I don’t remain only in the 5%/Lecture category. (Sometimes, in my more courageous and creative moments, I’ve wondered if we turned the pyramid completely upside down how people’s learning process and retention would be impacted).

 

As you think about your preaching and teaching, consider the following questions in each level of the pyramid:

 

Lecture: what are one or two ways I could increase the effectiveness and engagement of what I am communicating to people?

Reading: how am I encouraging people to read in the midst of the teaching (the biblical text, a quote on the screen, a handout, etc)? What are ways I could include reading materials, either during my teaching or as a take home resource?

Audio Visual: are there natural and creative ways I can use videos or songs to illustrate this point?

Demonstration: instead of simply teaching on this abstract concept, can I demonstrate it right on the spot? Can I call a volunteer up and simulate a role-playing exercise? Or can I give a specific and concrete example of someone who has recently lived out this concept in our community?

Discussion group: rather than listening to me communicate, can we carve our time and space for people to interact with each other? If so, what will they discuss? What questions or texts can I give them as prompts to their discussion? And what will they do with that information?

Practice by doing: Are there ways in which people can live out and practice what they just learned from me in the next 5 minutes? In the next 30 minutes? By the end of the day? What challenge(s) can I give them to attempt this?

Teaching others: Is there opportunity for someone courageous enough to come up and teach (or summarize) what they’ve learned in the process? If they’ve not done it effectively, how can we celebrate their willingness, while also offering suggestion or correction? If people have done it effectively, how can we affirm and celebrate both their willingness and ability to do something difficult in the moment?

 

It’s never fun when people inform you that they’ve chosen to leave your church. It’s a hard reality to ponder that more people have left our church over the past 8 years than have stayed. Certainly, there are positive reasons people choose not to be a part of the church any more (a job transfer or a move out of state) and there are painful reasons (e.g. conflict in the church, not meshing with the philosophy of ministry, another church is more appealing to them or – pastors’ favorite one, “we’re just not being fed” — whatever that means).

Depending upon our personality types we may simply want to avoid a face-to-face conversation and “wish them well” from afar. Others feel the need to take a confrontational and maybe defensive posture that comes from being hurt, abandoned or betrayed.

Over the past few years our elders have tried to have a posture of a learner in these formats. Though we’ve done this imperfectly, we’ve purposefully tried to possess a “help us understand” posture of humble listening. Most often, we try to meet with them one-on-one (and, when not possible, over the phone or via email) in an “exit interview” type fashion in order to ask a few questions. To be clear, these meetings are never fun, always emotionally draining and give us clammy hands walking into them. We may not like they are leaving, but we believe we can learn things from them – and hopefully be able to thank them and to bless them as they go.

Here are four questions we ask in these “exit interview” type settings-Read More