Mike Slaughter, in his book Change the World, gives a helpful image for what the church is not supposed to be. He says that the church, as the people of God, should not be like a cruise ship. A cruise ship’s only purpose is to get people on the boat so that the cruise line can be profitable. In order to get people on the boat, the cruise lines provide entertainment, festivities, all-you-can-eat buffets, and tiered cabins for sleeping. At times, churches can fall into the cruise ship mentality. Our desire to get people in the pews/chairs drives us to entertain and offer a wide range of consumer-based services. Shuffleboard, anyone? While fellowship is an important part of discipleship, the church has often mistaken it for the end of discipleship.
This is where a second maritime image of the church comes in handy. Reggie McNeal, while speaking at CATAPULT 2010, advanced the imagery by suggesting that a better image may be of an aircraft carrier. The purpose of an aircraft carrier goes far beyond what happens on the deck of the boat. In fact, the most important work happens away from the aircraft carrier. The carrier is important to fulfilling the mission. However, it isn’t the location of the mission. Instead, the aircraft carry out the mission away from the carrier. The church provides important equipping and support for the mission of God, but the mission is carried out by faithful disciples who are sent into their neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools.
Are we launching disciples? Or, are we just arranging deck chairs?
July 17th, 2011 at 12:12 am
Brian, I always enjoy your post. After ready you ending question, an imediate answer popped into mind. Be sure that I am one of those guys that works very hard to launch people into mission. I try to stay positive and hopeful that the church and denomination that I work with can be an aircraft carrier. All that to say my first thought was that we are not just arranging deck chairs….we are arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Things like Catapult and men like you give me hope. Thanks for helping to call the Church back to it’s first love. Bless you brother.
July 17th, 2011 at 11:40 pm
Thanks for your words, Paul. We must get together soon.