JWs attract 20,000. Could we, and does it matter?

JWs attract 20,000. Could we, and does it matter?

With thanks to a NZ Herald article (read here),  concern was expressed that an amazing 20,000 had attended a recent JW international gathering – while NZ churches could not achieve the same. Is this case, and does it matter?

Their event was impressive! With 3,500 delegates, and a claimed 20,000 attendance (which I see no reason to question), it has to be said that this was impressive.

Here are some quick reflections.

1. If big gatherings is the point, the wider NZ Church has comparable events

The NZ Church has about 3000+ local churches. These are broadly united around various simple statements of faith like the Nicean Creed.

The ‘Open Heaven’ prayer and worship event in Auckland alone has maybe 10,000 at it. It all ‘Open Heaven’ gatherings were added together, this would surpass 20,000 attendees. The wider Church does have comparisons.

But how important are these bigger events?

Certainly, gathering as a crowed helps the Church to be seen. This is important.

However, concurrently, we are unwise to place too much emphasis on this – because this is a human measurement. The strength of God’s Church isn’t in our numbers in this way – but instead in our remarkable influence for good.

The JW event was big and impressive.

Their unity as a ‘denomination’ is admirable. Few mainline Christian denominations could pull off the same. They have the ‘allegiance’ of their members. That takes leadership!

However, the kind of leadership that endears that kind of allegiance also has dangers – not only for them, but also for ourselves. The Church is about a ‘grassroots up’ strategy. Jesus talked about servant leadership. While the world applauds a large crowd – Jesus retreated to spend time with individuals.

While big events have their place, but they aren’t the goal or measure.

 

2. The strength of the Christian Church is in its grassroots dynamic – not in its attempts at  centralised leadership 

This is where the Roman Catholics got it wrong in history – creating a structure that was then wrongly leveraged for power and control. The Protestant Reformation exposed this. At Vatican II the Catholic Church admitted many of the wrongs that had resulted.

For a true theology – Jesus is the head of the Church – and he isn’t physically here on Earth to do that leading. He leads through his Spirit – the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is then to be found within the hearts of 2 billion Christians on Earth, including a likely 800,000 here in NZ.

> The strength of the Church isn’t in its centralised organisation – but instead in its decentralised motivation for love. This is how we – the Christian Church – have already changed the world for good!

Were there time we could consider areas like justice, government, law, charity, education, science, technology, labour laws and more… It is specifically Christianity that shaped the freedoms, equality, prosperity and other benefits we now enjoy.

Our decentralised character as the Church is therefore our strength. 

God’s strategy – ‘the Church’ – has worked!

 

In summary: Hold your head high, Christian! 

Despite our fallen natures, Christ within his people has generated charity and selfless care in a way that nothing else has. Through his Church, GOd has already changed the world!

Human leadership is nothing but ‘servant leadership’ The ‘Church’ goes wrong when we lose sight of this.

The true leader of the Church is Jesus – through his Spirit – and he said of his church that ‘the gates of Hades would not prevail against it’ (Matthew 16:18).

‘The Church’ is a winning strategy because God is behind it.

This is  Church is ‘the great mystery of the ages past’ (Ephesians 3 and 5). Who would have believed?

  

In closing (…and a powerful close it is):

So yes – big events are important. They give profile to a thing. ‘Out of sight means out of mind’. Big events are a part of the picture – though only like som icing on a cake.

The cake itself is our love.

The miracle that we call ‘the Church’ is this – the presence of God in each of us, making us like Jesus, changing the world. 

This is our true measure.

A challenging prayer: May church leaders now and forever esteem their role as ‘equippers of the Saints for the work of ministry’ (Ephesians 4).

As a statement: There is too much care and teaching from our church leaders – as contrasted to the equipping if their members’ for pioneering, interceding, reaching, helping and teaching.

As good as a few big events are, a mobilised laity is God’s method, and it must also become ours.

 

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35