UNLEARNING CHURCH: Just When You Thought You Had Leadership All Figured Out

UNLEARNING CHURCH: Just When You Thought You Had Leadership All Figured Out. Michael Slaughter- Chief Dreamer of Ginghamsburg Church.
(c)2002 Group Publishing pp.224. price 32.95. hc.

SECTION ONE A High Touch Experience of God in a High Tech World.
Ch.1. Born To Be Wild.
Unlearning churches and unlearning leaders are risk takers. God’s purposes need to be translated to a postmodern world. Radical Christianity is very much about evangelism. The Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas, is presented as an unlearning church.
Ch.2. From Broadcast to Narrowcast.
"Jesus Christ is the same- but the cultural language is continually changing."p.37. The focus in our churches needs to be "radical life transformation".p.37. Boomer era practices need to be unlearned. There needs to be a shift from faith proclaimed to faith demonstrated through compassionate service and social justice, a personal faith.
Ch. 3. Thriving in Paradox.
Unlearning churches use high tech with high touch. Effective churches are led by a spiritual leader within a creative team. Internet has given the church a global ‘audience’ while continuing as a local congregation. Interaction among churches focuses on similarities not differences. "Postmodern churches are both Catholic and evangelical."p.49. The demand for ritual among evangelicals is increasing. There is a shift from generation targeted churches to crossgenerational churches. Unlearning churches have environments that are conducive to saint and sinner, secular and sacred.
Ch.4. Towards a Radical Christianity.
Two basics make up radical Christianity- living through God’s Son and loving one another. Compassion, love, mercy and hope are what truth is all about.
Ch.5. Engaging the Senses.
We are created multisensory and the gospel needs to be presented in a multisensory way. Churches need to become places of experience not just information dispensers. People are wanting "an experience of God more than an explanation of God". p.67.
Ch. 6. Inviting Innovation and Change.
We need to learn to live out of ‘must’ not ‘should’ motivation. The focus should be church health not church growth. We shouldn’t be looking to each other for what only God can provide. People are looking for meaning in life. Being comfortable is not consistent with meaningful change.
Ch.7. Safe Space to Ask Hard Questions.
Basic learning involves asking questions. This is true of the learner and the teacher. It is important for churches to have safe environments for questions. Authenticity in questioning gives credibility. To be able to invite people into a space of grace and unconditional love is an awesome thing.
Ch.8. A Culture of Reckless Love.
"God wants to create a passionate tension in our lives, a holy discomfort."p.90. Real growth (spiritual) happens in an environment of tension, conflict and unpredictability.
SECTION TWO Unlearning Leadership.
Ch.9. Replicating The DNA.
Leaders are to be developed as trainer-coaches. Training as a leader is demanding. Belief without faith isn’t valid. Mentoring is key and it is difficult.
Ch. 10. Living Hard.
We live in a ‘Christian culture ‘ that does not teach and/or practice spiritual disciplines. i.e. belief without obedience. The Christian life is about what we are not what we do.
Ch. 11. The Smell of God
"We lead with integrity of heart, and we influence people most with our spirit." p.124. The passion of the Spirit can easily be detected (smelled) by people.
Ch. 12. Working Your Sweet Spot.
The sweet spot is the centre of a person’s passion and giftedness. (see notes, ch. 4.)
Ch.13 Moving Together.
Moving ahead involves leaders and managers. This brings balance between focusing on the future and the present.
Ch. 14. A Higher Value.
Speed and information are ‘must haves’ of our culture. Spirit and wisdom is the focus of those who seek higher values. Reality has to do with Jesus and what he is doing in our lives.
Ch. 15. Spiritual Visionaries.
The early church was led by (built on) lay leadership who had a visionary spirit. Those who lead a church must be "inspired, informed, empowered, and engaged". p.145.
Ch. 16. Radical Prayer is about Listening.
Jesus is the model. To define prayer trivializes it. It must be experienced. Prayer is important whether it is global, local or personal. We can’t talk and listen at the same time. Action is the result of listening.
SECTION THREE
Ch. 17. The One Thing. (Pleasing God.)
Two things make up the one thing. John 15:4 Abide in me. John 15:12 Love one another as I have loved you.
Ch. 18. Picture Day.
It is more important to experience God than to serve him. "We hear God on the mountain top but we see God when we come down and serve people." p.183. Our understanding of Jesus needs to include his humanity but then go beyond that to appropriate him in the (Holy) Spirit.
Ch. 19. Pressing Forward Without Looking Back.
Faith is not just being free of doubt, it involves acting on truth. We need to focus on our God identity. Life is not without laughter. "Don’t settle for less than God’s creative purpose". p.192.
Ch. 20. The Theology of Sweat.
Experiencing God is serving people and serving is hard work. Being a wittness is different from speaking for God.
Ch. 21. Full Term Faith.
Eternal life is much more than living forever. Faith needs to be move from believing to action. Remember the sowing reaping principle. We don’t consume we conceive. We need to be available to God and others.
Ch. 22. From Eyes Wide Shut to Arms Wide Open.
True religion is caring for the needy. There is no true commitment without action. We insulate ourselves to the needs around us. There is no substitute for personal involvement of time and energy to meet those needs.
Conclusion.
Unlearning church is about radical change in how we think and what we do. It is a focus, outward. It is a change that involves pain and discomfort. Unlearning church has to do with "empowering a group of people who want to radically demonstrate the love of Jesus" p.222 in their world.
Comment. hd.
Mike has given us a very clear picture of what kind of church will seriously impact an unchurched culture. Church success is life transformation not church growth. His message is clear, challenging, and uncomfortable. A feature of this book is a brief introduction at the end of the chapter of a church that he feels is an "unlearning church". It is interesting that the pastors of these churches are all in their thirties and early forties. What are the implications? I have learned to really appreciate Mike’s ministry over the last few years through his speaking and writing.