I credit the church for recognizing that things are changing. I question the church in its answers to address the change. The church has realized that, though it was, at one time, walking along beautifully with God, God turned a corner somewhere (a paradigm shift) and the church was immobile; encased in concrete. We were so entrenched in our church system that we were unable to move and unprepared for God’s move. The church’s response has been an attempt to restructure and reorganize the system (“in the name of God”). But remanufacturing will never remobilize us. It will serve only to reproduce immobile idols; disciples of the system. To escape the tomb, we must (again) experience the Resurrection. To move with God we must (again) be the resurrected Body of Christ. To shift with this paradigm we must think differently.

The Cross and Resurrection Event

The church is not to be a place of prevention, but permission. We are not attempting to prevent humanity from sinning; we are giving humanity permission to seek God to find healing and wholeness. The church is not the gate-keeper of the moral/ethical edict, but a safe community where we encounter the life supply of the living Christ. It is faulty theology to explain that Christ came and died to prevent people from sinning. His Resurrection is precisely because we are sinners. The Cross and Resurrection Event is permissive. Jesus gives us permission in His Resurrection Life to be who God has called us to be. The Good News is not “do not do this or that and you are good” (preventative), but God saying, “I love you. Enter into the life of my Son” (permissive).

Prevention

If the church sees itself as a preventative measure – the long-arm of the Law (of God) – then it trusts no one; even its own and especially God. Where there is no trust there is only control. Control is a manageable system. The system demands complete allegiance and accountability to itself from its “disciples.” Forgiveness and permission are offered only to the system, but never by it. Converts owe everything to the system. This is not about Vision, but maintenance. This is not love, but fear. Fear controls the masses.

Permission

But if the church is permissive, then it trusts God; then it operates in faith (by definition). Contrary to popular belief, the permission-giving church is organized, not chaotic; however, it is not based on a managerial model, but one of personal responsibility. Honor, integrity, respect, and forgiveness (i.e. Permission) are mutual, but are not based on reciprocity. Accountability cannot be dictated (or its tyranny). The community, logically, holds the leaders accountable by the fact of their leadership. Permission is freedom. Freedom is risky. Risk is real love. Do not fear failure – failure is simply not trying – rather, fear only not taking risks. Risk, and therefore, love are uncontrollable. Love permeates humanity.

Church as Agent of Change

It is highly illogical to recognize the change but, then, expect to change, also, by thinking the same as before the change. Likewise, the prominent system before the change cannot, logically, be prominent thereafter. Neither can it be the means of change. We must think differently, but cannot if the system is all we know. Though it can include the system, new thinking comes from without the system. Change requires a change in thinking; a mental adjustment; a change of how things get done because of how we think. In the new paradigm, the church is to be the Agent of Change.