One of the greatest blockages to explosive growth in the Western Church today is the great transferal of responsibility. It seems as if as soon as Churches organise themselves and pay the pastor, they can relax and let the pastor 'live the dream'. In fact the more dynamic the pastor, the better he/she communicates, the more the church grows numerically, the better the program the greater the transferal of responsibility. The pastor becomes crucial. People who feel that they are not living as true disciples can take comfort in the fact that their pastor is. That's what they pay him/her for!
The church as the institution begins to run the program. The kids ministry is there to teach their children of Christ and lead them into commitment, the parents can relax. (It's like parents hoping the school will somehow teach our kids about sex!). Decisions of doctrine is not made in community but left with a select few who 'understand' the scripture. Missions and Church planting become departments of the Church. Worship is 'led' by professional musicians. Evangelism becomes the domain of the church meeting. 'Bring them to Church' becomes the catch cry, 'We'll present the gospel to your friends for you'. Passivity becomes the primary stance of Church attendees. A consumer church is born in a culture of comfort and convenience.
The profound truth of the priesthood of all believers that was rediscovered in the reformation is crucial. Sadly however, this is often expressed only in terms of access to God. Everyone now has equal access to God. Great. But I am convinced that this is only half the equation. Every believer is now called to continue the whole ministry of Jesus in their day and age. We are all priests. Ministry is not the domain of the clergy, or the institutional church, but for all disciples. While we can readily agree on the concept of the priesthood of all believers, our actions within the Church are often in contradiction to this.
Jesus did the opposite. He called those close to him to die to themselves and follow him. This was not a consumer culture. It was radical. He called for 'off the chart' commitment. He entrusted the responsibility of the gospel to all his disciples. He didn't start a meeting, but a missionary movement. He left the message that was to save the world to a small group of bewildered, frightened and alienated men and women who had 'been with him'. He poured his Spirit on this group and history was changed forever.
I passionately believe we need to rediscover what it means to be this kind of Jesus disciple. Only then will we have a hope to change the world. We must all act as if there is no-one else entrusted to the task... it's up to us! Every disciple is called to steward this same gospel with the same passion and fire of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has done something so profound and so scary it should make us quiver in our boots... he has transferred the responsibility of spreading his gospel to you and me.
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
