Transformed Individuals, Communities and Nations
by Bill Tinsley
Leader
WorldconneX
There are certain questions churches and church leaders need to ask: “Are we making a difference?” and “Are we accomplishing on earth what Jesus Christ intends us to accomplish?” The answers are not solely about budgets, buildings, baptisms and attendance. Jesus indicated what He wants us to accomplish when He taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” The answer has to do with transformation. Are individuals being transformed into the image of Christ? Are communities being transformed? Are nations of the world reflecting the values of Christ’s kingdom as it is in heaven?
On June 23, The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life released the results of a comprehensive survey on religion in America. The results: more than half of evangelicals believe there are many ways to heaven; and 45% of US adults seldom or never read the Bible. The Barna Group has also reported that the divorce rate among born again evangelical Christians is virtually identical with the divorce rate among those who do not claim to be born again.
In The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church, Reggie McNeal compares much of the activity in existing churches to those of social clubs. People join our churches like they join clubs, adding yet another activity to their busy schedules but not really entering into a transformational relationship that changes their lives. Bob Roberts, in his book Transformation states, “Conversion as we tout it today misses something… You can convert–change religions–but stay the same person.” And Milfred Minatrea, in his missional book Shaped By God’s Heart writes, “Many Western churches are now focused mostly on survival…These churches are filled with members who have adopted and adapted to consumer culture. Just as they count on Wal-Mart meeting their material needs, they expect their churches to provide religious goods and services.”
Clearly something is wrong. Whatever we are doing in our churches is not creating a significant transformational impact on the world. Einstein is credited with having defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” If what we are doing in our churches is not resulting in transformation, what do we need to do differently?
Transformed Individuals
Jesus was not concerned about how often people went to church or how much they knew about the Bible, and certainly was not impressed by the size of buildings and budgets. He was concerned about how much our lives reflect the character of God in our attitudes and in our actions. This is why He said, “Be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” And the Sermon on the Mount is about transformation. It is Jesus’ flight plan for flying right-side up in a world that is flying upside down (Dallas Willard The Divine Conspiracy). This is why Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth… If the salt has lost its savor (transforming power) it is good for nothing but to be trampled under foot by men.”
Most of our churches are structured to transfer information about the Bible, whether through preaching or Bible study, but few churches are structured to create transformational accountability in individual lives. God’s plan and purpose from the beginning was for us to live transformed lives.
Some time ago I came across a remarkable reference to an ancient Biblical concept in a corporate book. Peter Senge, in his book
Transformed Communities
God is not only concerned with transforming individual lives (a western concept of individuality). He is also concerned with transforming communities. Speaking to the exiles in Babylon, God said, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7). Many churches never connect with their communities. Some see their communities as adversaries. What little interaction takes place is often focused around campaigns opposing liquor, squabbles over tax exempt property, or regulations that infringe on the operation of church programs. Transformational churches embrace their community for the well being of the people who live there. They position themselves as a resource to civic leaders and officials for the advancement of the city.
For a hundred years, First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Texas has operated their programs and conducted church activities one block away from the state penitentiary. A few years ago the church awakened to the unique opportunity God had given to be involved in restorative justice ministries. Every prisoner in Texas is released through the Huntsville “Walls” unit. The church created a ministry to prisoners re-entering society, for first contact with their families and loved ones who come to meet them, and a special ministry to the prison officers and employees. The ministry has grown to include community networking and transformational small groups.
Every community is unique. Every town and city has needs. Every neighborhood needs the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
Transformed Nations
God’s desire for transformation is not only individual and local. It is global. God’s desire to transform the nations is evident throughout Scripture—from the call of Abraham—through whom he promises to bless the nations—to the ultimate scene in Revelation that includes people from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues worshiping God and giving praise to the Lamb (Revelation 7:9). Many passages in Psalms also focus on God’s glory among the nations (Psalms 22:27; 57:9; 72:11, 17; 86:9; 108:3; 117:1).
Last year, WorldconneX hosted an affinity group gathering for individuals, churches, and ministries working in Kenya. Attendees included churches sending mission teams and resources to Kenya, individuals conducting training in remote areas, retired missionaries, and institutions such as Buckner International and Wayland Baptist University. During the meeting the former missionaries who served in Kenya for more than thirty years shared their observation that Kenya is becoming increasingly dangerous and lawless. Researchers report that despite Kenya being 80% Christian, the country is increasingly corrupt, crime-ridden and suffering from AIDs. This past year civil unrest, crime and terrorism reached such a level that the US government suspended Peace Corps operations and advised American citizens not to travel in Kenya. Something is wrong with this picture. How can a nation be reported 80% Christian and fall victim to such violence and corruption? God desires more than religious assent to the Christian faith. He desires righteousness, justice, honesty and integrity. He wants nations transformed into the likeness of His character.
Glocalnet is a network of churches worldwide that cluster together to pursue God’s transforming power in their lives, their communities and the world. Founded by Pastor Bob Roberts Jr., Glocalnet churches “pool their resources to produce Transformed-Life disciples, multiply churches, transform local communities and impact the world.” The term glocal is the combination of global and local because God’s desire is to transform the world where we are (locally) and to the ends of the earth (globally). A transformed life has three core elements: Interactive Relationship with God, Transparent Connections, and Glocal Impact. When a church is transformed, the following components result: Community Development, Church Multiplication and National Building. Read more in Transformation: How Glocal Churches Transform Lives and the World.
According to the Glocalnet website: “Glocalnet was born out of a dream — a dream that followers of Jesus Christ and their churches would be so radically changed from the inside out that those disciples, their families, their churches, their neighborhoods and their work places would never be the same. And as a result of a transformational experience, these disciples and their churches would form partnerships that would transform their communities and touch the world. Groups of regionally-located churches or churches within the same city (clusters of churches) would link arms to provide cities and nations good news in all arenas — fresh water, nutritional food, 21st century healthcare, competitive education and spiritual truth. If this worldwide, strategic, interdenominational alliance of churches went full-force after its calling from Christ to be salt and light to serve the least of these glocally (locally and globally), the world would literally be transformed. Every pocket of the globe would be changed.”
We are living in the most exciting day for missions since the first century. God is moving to accomplish His purposes on the earth. He is searching for a people who will join Him in His work of transformation so that “His kingdom may come on earth as it is in heaven.”