“The biblical fact is that there are no successful churches. There are, instead, communities of sinners, gathered before God week after week in towns and villages all over the world. The Holy Spirit gathers them and does his work in them. In these communities one of the sinners is called pastor and is given a designated responsibility in the community. The pastor’s responsibility is to keep the community attentive to God.” -Eugene Peterson
This quote is one of my favorite ministry quotes. It provides me with much-needed perspective. Always challenges me. Re-centers me. Reminds me of the biblical mandate to be faithful above all else.
I’m thankful that Renew Community is Jesus’ church, not mine.
Coenraad said...
1JR
Brilliant quote, but one question. What is the definition of a successful church, as one can be misled at to what a successful church is.
04/3/09 6:13 AM | Comment Link
admin said...
2Coenraad -
Your question is a good one – one that I believe every church needs to answer: “How do we measure success?” Historically, most churches in the past 100 years have answers that question by measuring the size/amount of buildings, bodies and budget (see the review I did for Reggie McNeal’s book a few weeks ago. Reggie talks about changing the missional scorecard – in a sense, redefining what ’success’ looks like).
I think Peterson indirectly answer this question of success here in the quote: it means remaining faithful, it means listening and allowing ourselves and our churches to be guided by the Spirit, admitting – yes, even the pastor – of our sin to one another. Faithfulness, sensitivity to the Spirit, confession & humility. It’s not an earth-shattering answer, but one that is biblical. Actually, now that I think about it, it may very well be earth-shattering, its just that so few churches take it seriously that we haven’t seen much of it. Which is why this quote continues to challenge me, my assumptions, my thoughts and my approach to ministry.
How might you define ministry success in your context?
04/3/09 9:12 AM | Comment Link
DougG said...
3Deep thought: I heard in a pulpit one time “All churches fail, even this one.” Then I thought of all those European churches you can visit. Why aren’t there living communities of faith there anymore? Maybe it got lost in all the building campaigns, selling indulgences, confirmation classes, pastor/priest scandals, playing politics, etc. where they lost their first love. (Ez 33:30-33 is great motivation and should scare pastors)
DougG
PS Been praying God’s promises in my own life so I can leave a community of faith; it’s been fun.
04/3/09 11:31 AM | Comment Link
» There Are No Successful Churches Riverside Knoxville said...
4[...] -Eugene Peterson, as quoted at J. R. Briggs’ blog. [...]
04/4/09 8:31 PM | Comment Link