MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

What Bono Taught Bill Hybels

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Fri, August 28, 2009
Viewed 197
(44) comments so far

According to an article in the US News and World Report, Bill Hybels has learned a lot about church effectiveness... from Bono...

Hybels writes:

The evangelical church has taken a lot of justifiable heat in recent years for being vocal about the things we hate while staying silent about some of the most pressing needs in our world. There are times when I believe the church should be the conscience of our culture, but to Bono's point, a reframing must occur, one where the divisiveness that once defined us as people of faith gets edged out by a unity around great societal causes. And what has to unite us in this day and age is the fight against poverty and disease. Faith leaders the world over expected this day would come. What we didn't expect was that it would take an Irish rock star to demand the dawn.

As leaders, there are so many things we must get better at: casting vision, building teams, solving problems, enforcing values, and building the next generation of leaders. But if we excel in those areas and still neglect to use our leadership octane to address God's clear mandate to serve the poor, what have we really gained?

Since Bono's clarion call three years ago, well-resourced churches have banded together to take a bite out of poverty, pouring vast amounts of resources into building orphanages, clinics, schools, and sports fields through partnerships with underresourced churches around the globe. Not that the ultimate judge comes in the form of a leather-clad superstar in shades, but still it was gratifying to hear Bono's assessment of progress to date: "I knew [the church] was a sleeping giant, but I didn't know the giant could run so fast."

What do you think? Is your church more active in social justice issues now than in 2006? And what effect does Bono or Bill Hybels have on your church? Bono's 2006 address was huge... but was it the catalyst for change or was something else behind it?

Todd

Comments

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Peter Hamm on Tue, September 01, 2009

Gino, sorry we disagree on what unequally yoked means, but we do. Don’t think either one of us is going to change his mind.

Your last comment bothered me more, though.

“All this has caused me to once again wonder why Christians seems to love the lost more than their own brothers and sisters in Christ”.

First, why do we have to have either/or? The “good samaritan” was helping somebody outside his religious circle for sure (I LOVE that Jesus uses somebody who was understood in that day to be totally non-religious, almost atheistic, in the minds of those who heard the story). I find this kind of thinking in your statement to be one of the “excuses” many Christian believers use to avoid doing anything with their great wealth. In the west, we are insanely wealthy. We share very little of that, and need to do more. Justice, as the Old Testament especially paints it, demands this.
Gino on Tue, September 01, 2009

Peter, check out a good commentary on 2 Cor. 6:14 and I will leave it at that. It seems quite obvious in the context and I’m not sure why you think that joining with a group that may be openly hostile to Jesus Christ does not conflict with Paul here. Fine…

As for my comment about loving the world more than other brothers and sisters - I didn’t realize that implied is an “either/or” approach. The NT is filled with “love one another” statements, which by a vast majority first refer to our love of other Christians. I say this not to say that we do not love the unsaved but I find many Christians who are “tired of church” who don’t love their brothers and sisters who they will spend eternity with. That to me is sad.

We are called to be a sweet aroma of the knowledge of Jesus in every place, a fragrance of Christ to God & to all people. We are to represent our Lord & Savior, to exude Jesus - a stench to some and a beautiful aroma to others. I hope we can agree with these statements at least. But notice the “knowledge of Him” - through words and deeds but always about Him…
Gino on Tue, September 01, 2009

Peter and all who are following our dialogue: this is what I have seen (not saying you are like this - I don’t know you). There are too many Christians who, rather than partner with an Arminian/Calvinist or a traditional/contemporary music person (you pick the position) would rather partner with the world. That’s just amazing to me.

I’m curious - what do you think? Have you seen any of this where you live out your Christian life?
Ben on Tue, September 01, 2009

Peter,

We could be having a different discussion, if you’re assuming the primary purpose of the church in the world is to right every wrong, which is something I wouldn’t be assuming, since it doesn’t seem Scripture assumes that. It appears in Scripture the purpose of the church is to bear witness to the glory of God revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, by making disicples Christ from every nation.

Romans 15:26 tells us the poor in Jerusalem the Gentile church was concerned about of first order, were the the poor saints in the church of Jerusalem. Did it abound to others outside the church?

We’re not told, but no doubt. The love of God is an extravagant thing. Anyone who doesn’t care about the poor or the AIDS stricken is a hard-hearted goon, and probably not a true believer. Anyone who doesn’t think the love of God through the church hasn’t washed over the least of the world hasn’t read much history or watched much of the nightly news, or has a perverted agenda to always make the church the bad guy, and the “noble savage” (which never existed) the good guy.

There are priorities in life. It doesn’t have to be either or, but some crises are worse than others.

I can only speak for myself, but my actions don’t show I love the poor as much as my mouth says I do. I suspect many suffer from the same self-delusion.
Peter Hamm on Tue, September 01, 2009

The vast majority of my “charity money” that I give goes towards efforts specifically by Christian organizations. The only money that goes to efforts not led by specifically Christian groups goes towards causes in a non-religious context that accomplishes something close to the father’s heart. A good example is http://keepachildalive.org/. I know of no one else doing what they do, and it’s close to my heart to save a child from death. That purpose is no doubt one Christ would approve of. Would I give to a specifically muslim group? Probably not.

Ben, no, the primary purpose of the church is to make disciples. But Matthew 25 paints a clear picture of how a disciple acts in the world.

You state that some crises are worse than others. The humanitarian crisis in Africa is among the worst ever.
ben on Tue, September 01, 2009

Yes, but I wouldn’t put it in the same category as the crisis of hell. That one’s a killer.

Once we have fed them and clothed them and healed them, which we should do, I hope we will tell them about the real crisis. I don’t see how we could call ourselves loving and compassionate if we don’t
Peter Hamm on Tue, September 01, 2009

Ben, you realize that the church is growing the fastest in the world in places like Africa where the current crisis is the worst? So, perhaps we are saving people who are already believers when we help organizations like keep a child alive. (In fact, that is the case!)

Although what a person believes doesn’t make a difference to me if I want to save their lives… (I’m sure you feel the same).
ben on Tue, September 01, 2009

No, you haven’t persuaded me we’re feeling the same thing, but it’s time for this dance to end. I do get the big picture though, and that’s to save the planet
Gino on Tue, September 01, 2009

Leaving on this one:
Peter, you don’t think there is a Christian organization that is taking up the cause of AIDS in Africa by doing virtually the exact same thing? Really?
Wendi Hammond on Wed, September 02, 2009

Although I affirm the whole document, item 5 from The Lausanne Covenant sums up my views about this issue.

5. CHRISTIAN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
We affirm that God is both the Creator and the Judge of all men. We therefore should share his concern for justice and reconciliation throughout human society and for the liberation of men and women from every kind of oppression. Because men and women are made in the image of God, every person, regardless of race, religion, color, culture, class, sex or age, has an intrinsic dignity because of which he or she should be respected and served, not exploited. Here too we express penitence both for our neglect and for having sometimes regarded evangelism and social concern as mutually exclusive. Although reconciliation with other people is not reconciliation with God, nor is social action evangelism, salvation, nevertheless we affirm that evangelism and socio-political involvement are both part of our Christian duty. For both are necessary expressions of our doctrines of God and man, our love for our neighbor and our obedience to Jesus Christ. The message of salvation implies also a message of judgment upon every form of alienation, oppression and discrimination, and we should not be afraid to denounce evil and injustice wherever they exist. When people receive Christ they are born again into his kingdom and must seek not only to exhibit but also to spread its righteousness in the midst of an unrighteous world. The salvation we claim should be transforming us in the totality of our personal and social responsibilities. Faith without works is dead.

Perhaps the only Christ follower my Muslim (or Hindu, or Buddhist, or atheist,) neighbor will ever �really� know is me, because I am willing to work along side him as we both, made in the image of God, express our a desire to do good, denounce evil and injustice.

Wendi
Leonard on Wed, September 02, 2009

Compassion should drive us to meet many needs not just ones that are severe enough to make us feel. HIV/AIDS is big on my heart, it is severe and so much can be done for so little. I also love organizations that impact children’s lives with just a small contribution each month. We sponsor a child in Africa as well.

What I believe is not theology but a fact in History. Jesus really lived, died and rose again. To reduce it to a certain belief system that gets you into heaven probably is not what Jesus had in mind.

Discipleship is as much about modeling as it is about teaching. We think to teach them what he has commanded means information. I think it means transformation. Following Jesus. Hearing what he said and doing what he did. The Letters to the churches marry these things together. Each letter is doused in relationship instruction.

How we treat others, love others, forgive others, submit to others, serve others, care for others, pray for others… all in the light of loving God.

The Good Samaritan in the story was graced in that he “saw” his opportunity and acted. Had he traveled a different road, what would he have seen? another opportunity. The dilemma of faith is we will run to a crash but miss the whimper of pain in someone we sit next to on a bus.

IMHO a key point to the GS story is seizing opportunity to do good, period. Let God the Holy Spirit marry the Gospel with your deeds and you will not Go wrong.
Greg on Wed, September 02, 2009

This is a good discussion, and important. There have been some good points made on both sides - although both sides are only arguing one side of the issue.

On the side of evangelism - yes, we do need to represent Christ in all that we do, and we do need to give the message of hope that he gave - that God WILL right every wrong and end all injustice, that there WILL be judgment upon all that has transpired on the earth, that every tear shall be dried from the eyes of those who mourned and things will be restored to the way they were originally meant to be in the beginning… When all of the pollution, all of the greed, all of the bitter jealousy, all of the hatred, all of the inequity between the poor and the rich will be done away with, and all of this has been accomplished through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, through whom we find forgiveness, a new chance in life, and a hope for the future. How can we not proclaim such a message?

Yet, at the same time, if the only message we proclaim is to say a prayer so that we can go to Gnostic heaven when we die, and have no other change in our lives, then that is NOT the gospel of Scripture. And it is that type of message that makes selfish people remain in their selfishness… Yes, people are dying without the hope of the Gospel. I sit beside some of them in church all the time… (just because someone says the right words and goes to church does not necessarily make them a follower of Christ - but it at least makes them familiar with the message, which means that they may be more friendly and familiar with God’s words - much like the Jews in Jesus’ day.)

Someone asked if we would prefer working alongside nonChristians than those “Christians” who have a different style and denomination. My response to that is that the church should actually be leading the charge. In fact, I would rejoice if more Christians would get involved in being Jesus’ salt and light in the world, instead of hiding in their traditionalistic holy huddles. We are called to bring the Kingdom of God to the nations, to be its representatives, and to make disciples of the nations. Part of that means seeing people for who they are - marred, broken and sinful, yes… but also made in the image of God.

In response to the guy who quoted from the African pastor - I can see your point too - all of these people making confessions simply because of the food they are given. The same can be said about major evangelists in the West too - they make confessions because of feelings, but according to a survey by Billy Graham, over 90% are neither part of a church family or even professing Christianity a year later. I think part of this is the fundamental problem that we just want band-aid solutions and quick fixes. The American missionaries that were in your quote, while patting themselves on the back, should be asking the question whether their relationships with the churches were in fact better, and should have been working in direct partnership with them. They also were there too short to make a sustainable relationship with the people - and the Gospel is in fact about relationships.

Now, would I partner with an explicitly Muslim or Buddhist organization? No. Would I work alongside a team of people that might not necessarily be Christian, though the organization is unaffiliated? I don’t see why not. Other Christians could be found there, and by my participation, it could also give opportunities to have deeper conversations with my co-workers and those we are partnering with on the ground zero level (or those being equipped by our ministry). Would I accept non-Christians to work alongside me on a project in a Christian organization? Once again, I would say definitely yes (although I wouldn’t put them in a teaching or doctrinal position. Heck, there are even some Christians I wouldn’t trust with that…).
Dave Z on Wed, September 02, 2009

This has been on my mind. I’d like my church to be doing more in the area of “social justice,” (I don’t like the term and I cringe a little just writing it, because it carries such baggage) but I’m not sure where to begin. Thanks, Peter, for your ideas, I’ll look at keepachildalive, but does anyone know what Willow Creek or other churches are doing in this area? What specifically has happened because of Bono’s efforts? What can I get our church involved in?
Gino on Thu, September 03, 2009

Final, final comments:
Dave - why are you concerned with what Willow Creek is doing; your church is a manifestation of the Body of Christ right where you are. Look around and see where the church can make a difference & do it. More could be said but that covers my suggestion.

Greg - you have much to say & summarize a lot of what was written. I don’t think the discussion was either/or on sharing the gospel and helping the poor, less fortunate etc. At the same time, we cannot allow what has happened in the past to happen again - you lose the gospel of Jesus Christ and only focus on justice issues. We have all seen this happen - to the demise of those particular denominations & churches.

The question is how are we to be salt and light? The answer should be no matter by “being a sweet aroma of the knowledge of Jesus everywhere.” We need to be a fragrance of Jesus to God and all people. So, I am glad that you would not join with a group that is explicitly Muslim or Buddhist but let’s realize that all groups have an agenda or a message to send and that message is what I am joining. I agree that the church should be leading the charge and thankfully it has in many regards.

Bono has been hard on the church when it came to Darfur. Well, then why was it that when I became a Christian in 1996, I heard about Darfur within 6 months because of Samaritan’s Purse. Yes, we should have been more involved but there were some sounding the alarm and trying to help.

As Christians, we need more discernment on where and how we spend our money. Yes, we are exceedingly wealthy in comparison but that doesn’t mean that we should not be good stewards with it.

Good thoughts - disagreements & agreements. All have a blessed day & live to the glory of God!
CS on Thu, September 03, 2009

Gino:

“Dave - why are you concerned with what Willow Creek is doing; your church is a manifestation of the Body of Christ right where you are. Look around and see where the church can make a difference & do it. More could be said but that covers my suggestion.”

I know this was intended for Dave, but I felt a need to chime in. The reasons why it’s important to know what Willow Creek does is because (1) they have a church with membership in the tens of thousands, (2) have an association that spans to somewhere around 1 in 10 churches here in the US, and (3) they have an annual, “Leadership Conference,” that gets so much focus from pastors and non-pastors alike that the ideas put forth there get pretty prolific pretty quickly.

If it was just one church doing its own thing, it would be far less in the limelight. But their tentacles shoot out in multiple directions and spread out across to so many other churches that it isn’t an isolated body of believers doing their thing.

And when this church has powerful people speak and try to change the way good works are being done, and with whom they are being done, we have to be sure that this mindset does not interfere with the proclamation of the Gospel or cause us to stumble in working with false faiths (1 Corinthians 6:14-15).

—
CS