The Three lenses that changed my point of view

Last week was speaking week for me. Three different talks to three different audiences. That is rare for me. I enjoy giving talks but do very few because of other commitments.

But the first group was a class of about 50 seminarians. I was invited by one of my former professors, a man who unbeknown to him, turned my life toward what I do now.

One of the books we read in his class was Kennon L. Callahan's Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, one of the solid "church growth" books of its era. It's principles still hold up fairly well.

But almost twenty years ago now, I read Callahan's follow up entitled: Effective Church Leadership.

I explained to the class that there are three statements that lead the first three chapters of the book (The first line of each chapter) that I think perfectly describe the difference in leadership for the past 20 years and will continue to define leadership into the future.

Callahan was describing the American church leadership and the American scene here in these statements. Remember, he wrote these 20 years ago.

Chapter 1. "The day of the professional minister is over. The day of the missionary pastor has come." (p3)

Chapter 2. "The day of the church culture is over. The day of the mission field has come."p13

Chapter 3. "The day of the local church is over. The day of the mission outpost has come." p22

From 1990 to 1996 in my former leadership role in a denomination I looked through these lenses. As I reflect on the past 15 years of my work at Leadership Network I have looked through those lenses
and have come to realize that those taking new kingdom ground are living into those realities.

Those who are not looking through these lenses are frustrated and defeated.

So when people ask me about a particular church, I always hold in my head these statements and ask myself: Are they living into these realities?

How about you?

Dave Travis
Managing Director
Leadership Network

Comments

[Dan Smith]

I want to say a big "amen" to your thoughts, and to Callahan's book. I grew up in a very conservative church that directed my views towards professional ministry, local church, etc. Having lived in more than one country, and visited around a dozen, I can see that this mission outpost is the way to go. I look forward to reading this book!

[Michael Higgs]

Callahan was a game-changer when he first surfaced. Thanks for bringing his wisdom back into view for me. What does it take to get established churches to change their games?

[Lynn Clayton]

I serve as pastor of a new, non-traditional church in a small town in western Louisiana. What is happening in larger cities as mentioned by Callahan has not struck our rural area - - yet. But there are more and more indications that the changes mentioned by Callahan are on the way. Some day, somene will write a book about building churches in small, rural areas that have one toe in what Callahan discribes and one foot in their own little worlds. I will buy that book.