Steering Through Chaos in Church

Posted on March 25, 2010
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(27) comments

I've been reading through a new book by Scott Wilson called "Steering Through Chaos". It's a great read on dealing with conflict and transition in the church. In fact, I was able to personally identify with many of the situations that Scott mentions in his book because I've seen these things happen over and over in my years involved with ministry.

Here's a short message from Scott about the book:

You can download a free chapter of the book here.

What's the biggest 'chaos' that you've ever had to steer through as a pastor or church staff member? How did you do it?

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Grace on Sun, March 28, 2010

CS; they were independent thoughts.
I felt physically nauseous from the video and the last comment before mine. I am presently undergoing a very real isolation because of all this Warren seeker-sensitive methodology which is happening at the church I’ve been going to, and I was so grateful for your presence on this thread.
I can’t be a part of this “move of god” because I don’t believe it’s of God at all - so I find myself alone. But I am not really alone!! I have been educating myself online and as time unfolds I realize I didn’t know the half of it the day before. It just gets worse and worse and I’m telling ya, I’m seeing the face of Satan getting clearer and clearer here. I have felt the subtle pressure of going along with it all simply so I could have a sense of belonging with others in my church and feel supported and cared about. May God continue to keep me from turning my back on Him for human companionship. My mouth will not speak the agreeing words (that it seems some are fishing for) just to keep the heat off, so for silence I’ve been treated harshly by some and assaulted with defensiveness for a couple of sincere questions.
I have one foot out the door and don’t know where I’ll go yet. I’m starting to wonder if there’s anywhere to go. But I’m praying that God will grant me a spine so that I won’t just leave without saying a clear word to anyone.. God help me. I’m nobody special. I’m a middle-aged woman with an out-in-the-open history of drugs/alcohol who has recently been brought by my Lord to a heart-breaking repentance for my sins..
May God help us all.. All this is very, very wrong and is heading in a definite direction, the likes of which I think will get clearer and clearer ..to some.
CS on Sun, March 28, 2010

Grace:

First off, praise God for His salvation and how He saved you. That is truly awesome. And I’m glad to hear I wasn’t the source of your illness. =)

Trust me, you’re not alone. I was at a seeker-sensitive church for a tough two and half years. During that time, I struggled with all of sorts of nonsense going on, and it was such a challenge. We stayed far longer than we should mainly because of the relationships we had made. But, praise God, he gave us a new, Gospel-centered, Bible-believing church, and things have never been better. Leaving was one of the best things we’ve ever done.

I would recommend trying to speak with your pastor, as I did, and if nothing positive comes out (which I suspect will happen), start looking. Don’t be surprised if you face a battle or two along the way.

Good luck, and God bless.

—
CS
Peter Hamm on Mon, March 29, 2010

CS,

In all honesty, sometimes I think you come to these posts looking for any little semantic argument find fault.

And this is one of those times I think you’re really reaching… Sorry, nothing wrong with the premise of this book. The book? That’s another story, as I haven’t read it, but the premise? No problem.

Peter
Leonard on Mon, March 29, 2010

Sometimes?
CS on Mon, March 29, 2010

Peter:

“And this is one of those times I think you’re really reaching… Sorry, nothing wrong with the premise of this book. The book? That’s another story, as I haven’t read it, but the premise? No problem.”

I believe that the whole notion of, “vision,” and how it’s being used and abused isn’t a little thing in the modern church. It has some really far-reaching implications as to how churches operate.

—
CS
Andymcadams on Mon, March 29, 2010

Hi Jan…I’d like to publish your comments that you placed here somewhere else. Can you email me so I can communicate with you and get your permission? BTW…from our previous communication…my wife is still in remission. God is good!
Allen on Tue, March 30, 2010

I had to chime in because I’m a pastor who has a vision of my church. How I came to that vision, though, is by not having any vision when I started, just wanting to help them be the best possible version of a church that they possibly can by helping them discover their gifts and passion, while addressing their shortcomings as well.

Again, this can only happen if a pastor comes in and lets their congregation show them that vision, rather than the pastor coming in and imposing his/her vision on them. Just because it worked with one set of people, doesn’t mean that the same vision fits every church.

As far as biblical precedent, look what Paul does with the Corinthians in his letters. He celebrates what’s right; challenges them on needed changes, thus crafting in letter form a vision of the best possible version of the church in Corinth.

As for me, just trying to be the best possible version of myself with the Spirit’s help.
Grace on Tue, March 30, 2010

Allen: You said “Just because it worked with one set of people..”
Question: What does “it worked” mean? How does one know when it works?
Grace on Thu, April 01, 2010

CS, I thanked you for your encouraging comment right after you responded to me, but for some reason it never posted. So, just wanted to try again. God Bless! Grace
Allen on Thu, April 01, 2010

Grace, it’s just something you feel. And what you feel is the presence of the Spirit, when a church comes into its own. When people are using their gifts, working together (rather than bickering at each other), looking out for one another, coming up with ideas as to how to reach out to the community. As a pastor I think the most important thing is creating what they call “open space,” where people are welcome, and welcomed to contribute their gifts, their ideas, their passions. I’ve just found that people don’t like to be told what to do; they prefer to be told what God can do through them, through us as a church. And if a pastor makes that their priority, rather than going by the book and saying “We have to do this or that,” it’s a pretty cool feeling when you can see God doing things through them. I guess, when you not just see “it working” but the Spirit working. And it’s pretty obvious when the Spirit does.
Grace on Fri, April 02, 2010

Allen, it sounds real good. But is this Christ’s Church or a glorified meeting house of beautiful people doing wonderful things?
Allen on Fri, April 02, 2010

Ahh, but Grace I think you just defined what the Church is supposed to be ... though I’d tweak it a little to say that the church is God’s gathering of beautiful people through whom God does wonderful things for God’s glory alone.