Tribes – Characteristics needed in the Church
In looking at some of the characteristics in the church that lend themselves to tribes, I have seen some qualities that the church would benefit from but are, for the most part, lacking.
Empower Members….
Glenn Kaiser said it best, the problem with most churches is that they want to pay someone to do something they are unwilling to do. This is a problem promoted by the church that doesn’t allow members to make decisions and lead the church in the same way that the staff do.
Lead with Passion
Most church leaders are just not very passionate or they don’t show their passion. I’m not sure why. Maybe it has to do with being vulnerable, but I just don’t see it often.
Be Authentic
Phoney is as phoney does. This is tied to the previous quality. For some reason, people think spiritual leaders are supposed to be perfect, which means they can’t be honest in their struggles. Pastors loose their positions all the time for being too honest about their struggles, but even more loose their positions from hiding their struggles to the point of lying and increasing the problem of their struggles.
Introduce Tribe Members to Each Other
Listen, Learn & Introduce people to each other. Make connecting people a priority. One of the biggest fears in life is rejection. If you can help eliminate that fear you are helping somebody. The church needs to help people feel connected to God and each other. It might be the biggest affect the church can have on individual.
Celebrate Accomplishment
For some reason corporate worship has been emasculated into a couple of people (usually the same ones each week) sharing something from the Bible. The church could do a lot better at celebrating what God is doing through more testimonies and blessings.
Share Stories
This is tied to the previous, but we need to hear each others stories and we need to share our stories. Community is crippled without this.
Create exclusivity
This is a funny thing to add to the list of what the church can use to solidify its tribal nature, but I think it is so underplayed. Historically, the church created exclusivity be excommunication or by promoting the idea that Christians are better (usually morally). Instead, I think the church could win a lot of street cred if it created the real exclusivity it already has. That we are forgiven and that we are a people of grace. What other group claims all of that?
Listen Carefully
This could go on any list of what we could do better for any organization. The church has a history of arrogance that is being healed in many ways in the past couple of centuries. If we can listen more and overcome that heritage, we will benefit from functioning the way we were intended to – as a body.
These are just a couple of thoughts I had while reading Seth Godin’s book Tribes. Hopefully I will have more to write as I try some of these ideas. Any lurkers out there are free to post any signs of their attempts or to speak into these ideas.
