How vs. Why

March 5, 2008

I spent the day on Tuesday at a Nazarene College in Central Ohio. I had the opportunity to teach a few church planting ideas to a small group of students. I enjoyed the day and appreciated the college for inviting me to come for the day. While I was on campus I sat in on a class being taught by a dear friend of mine, Dr. Larry Houck. His class was so good I felt I needed to share it with everyone.

Here is the main gist of the class.

How we do church, is not as important as why. If we don't have a good foundation of "why" we do what we do, then "how", doesn't really matter. If we concern ourselves with the "Why", then "how" we “do” church, (or any spiritual thing for that matter) will naturally follow. Understanding the "why" of what  we do, is so important because what we think, is a direct reflection of what we do.

James Allen said: "We do not attract that which we want, but that which we are." In other words, everything we do flows out of what we think. Everything flows out of our theology of "Why". The size of a church, its ministry and growth (or lack of) is the direct result of what we think. The question then must be answered. What do we "THINK" about God, and His mission to the world? And how does our belief about God's mission effect our co-mission?  Are we on the same mission? Why did Jesus do what he did? The main issue for churches to discuss is not "How" but “why”.

Churches often spend more time bantering over, and fighting about "HOW" to do missional work and little time discovering "WHY" we are to do what we do. Just consider how much energy the Church (big C) spends on arguing over endless methodologies and you will discover the truth in that statement.

More churches today fight over foolish things like, changes of worship style, services, color of carpet, and color of paint on the wall. Many seem to worship their methods and traditions more than Christ Himself. When a church says that no change is needed, in effect, what they are saying is “What is, and has been is all that God wants to accomplish through this church”. And yet, the harvest is still ripe!

The fact is, God blesses every form, kind, style and method of church. He even uses opposing denominations. God does, and has used Baptists in amazing ways, yet we don't agree with charismatics on many points. God uses Wesleyans, Arminians, Calvinists, house church movements, attractional churches, purpose driven and etc... Yet many of them openly contradict one another and have for years. Yet, we cannot deny that God has, and is using these groups in powerful ways all across the world.

How is it that God can pour out his power, inexhaustible resources, and send His Holy Spirit on people groups who seem to stand in such sharp contrast to one another? How is it that God can bless those who seem so opposed to one another?

The Answer: "God seems infinitely more concerned about why the church exists than splitting theological or methodological hairs." It seems to me, we are more concerned, than God with “how” to “do” church.

Why do you do what you do? Sunday worship, board meetings, money, outreach and the like must all have a "So that..." attached to them. The church exists so that... sinners might be saved, the Father might be glorified, the Body might be built up, and people might be discipled and trained to work in the harvest.

Without a proper "so that..." we simply have a place where the righteous meet the righteous, where our emotional well-being is served, where our bank account is well padded, where our church is safe from outsiders.

So, what is your "So that…"? As you look at your life and the life of your church regardless of denomination, method or style, "why" should be infinitely more important than "how".

Thank you Dr. Houck!

Posted 3/5/2008 in Stephen Gray

2 Comments - Add Comment

Comments:

     I agree that we need to focus more on the why. Sometimes we get so bogged down by methods, numbers and style that we forget that even God works in different ways through different people. Doing things the "way we have always done it" is not always the answer and could be why many churches are struggling. At the same time we have to be careful not to begin pandering and catering to what people want to hear ... there's enough churches out there merely entertaining and tickling ears.

     David, I agree. We need to be concerned more about motive than method. Unfortunately determining the motive of a church is not as easy as it may seem. We need to look at each church responsibly before we can determine whether their motive is correct.