Was just reading, The Forgotten Ways, by Alan Hirsch, I am learning a great deal. I just read about “systems stories”. A system story is a set of core beliefs which results from a multitude of conversations, that maintain an organization. From those stories programs emerge that are a manifestation of the system story. After a period of time the system becomes institutionalized and is difficult to change. The systems story determines the way the organization behaves.

When the organization goes into decline the first thing to change are the programs. Some programs are tweaked, others deleted and some more are added. I have seen it in our denomination— Church Growth programs (make your church more attractive with parking, programs, etc), parachurch events (Promise Keepers, Emmaus, etc), and programs that “promise” growth (Alpha, the forty days of purpose, community etc) We were encouraged to change our worship styles, our nurseries and the way we staff. In an effort to “save” the organization.
When the programs don’t work. The restructuring begins—downsizing, mergers, new mission statements,etc. It doesn’t matter what the organizational chart looks like if we leave the system story in place nothing will change except more decline. It is futile to revitalize the church or denomination, without first changing the system.

Following Jesus into the mission field is either impossible or extremely difficult for the vast majority of congregations or denominations because they have a systems story that will not allow them to take the first step out of institution into the mission field, even though the mission field is just outside the doors.

Suppose a denominational church were to plant over time 20 micro churches (Churches with 10-15 people that meet in houses, restaurants or other public spaces led by non-professionals (clergy) with a focus on mission. Little money is needed as there are no buildings to maintain, no paid staff, no need for insurance etc.). Two hundred new agents for the Kingdom have been recruited and are in place and are living Missionally. Would that threaten the system story in a denomination? For many that would be chaos.

Hircsh says, ” it is in chaos that God’s people thrive. The most fertile parts of the people are set in the context of the people of God facing significant danger and chaos….Abraham, the Exodus, the Exile, Jeremiah, Jesus and the book of Acts are all examples of living on the edge of chaos.”

What do you think?

Kokomo Urban Outreach is a network of churches, organizations and individuals that have a heart for hometown missions. Our goal is to help churches think and act “Missionally“. The church that I led is moving in that direction. The church building is located in the midst of a large number of “under-resourced” families. Under-resourced families not only lack finances but also systems of support (family, church, community). Over the past couple of years I have learned a great deal about reaching out to the under-resourced and have seen a great transformation—–in me.

Outreach to the under-resourced is not simply doing my good deed for the day, nor does it exist to give me something to pat myself on the back about. It is not the impersonal distribution of my leftovers. It is about sharing Christ… His provisions…..love, compassion, kindness and warmth with the hurting, the broken, the hard living and rough edged. It is about being light and salt in places of darkness and hopelessness. It is about Kingdom living.

Outreach to the under-resourced is not reaching from our high position down to their low position. It is rather our reaching out as peers. It is about me coming to terms with my brokenness—reaching out to other broken individuals. It is about… dignity and respect… looking into the eyes of another human being… being real and building relationships…sharing my meals, my home and my life. It is about reconnecting the disconnected, as well as connecting with the disconnected.

Outreach to the under-resourced is about seeing people and the neighborhood through the eyes of Jesus. It is seeing more similarities than differences, yet dealing with the differences appropriately.

Outreach to the under-resourced is less about ethnicity or race, and more about geography and culture. It is about a culture of poverty. Not simply economic poverty, but a poverty of spirit and attitude.

Outreach to the under-resourced is not just teaching, but being taught. It is listening and learning—discovering the flaws in my culture as well as the honorable things in other cultures.

Outreach to the under-resource is not about the rich folks coming down to help the poor folks because they feel sorry for them. It is about building partnerships and cooperation. It is about working together for renewal—spiritual renewal, community renewal, family renewal, and personal renewal—-not just for them but for us.