Meahl Memories

A Church Called Tov - Chapter 8: "Tov Churches Nurture a People-First Culture"

As a church grows, there is a tendency to put the institution ahead of the people. I've seen this happen time and time again. If a church has the values of empathy, compassion, and grace, these values can become the basis for a people-first culture. The authors tell the story of Fred Rogers as an example.  Maxwell King, in his biography The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, said, "Fred Rogers never--ever--let the urgency of work or life impede his focus on what he saw as basic human values: integrity, respect, responsibility, fairness and compassion, and...kindness." (p. 122)

The authors discuss the work of Mitch Randall, an ordained Southern Baptist pastor and the executive director of EthicsDaily.com who created a definition of theological malpractice. He believes that beliefs that placed the institution of the church over the humanity of victims are a perversion of the gospel. (p. 125) The authors summarize this term as follows:

1. It perverts the gospel of tov.
2. It begins in male-centeredness and fosters anti-female attitudes.
3. It protects the institution at the expense of the people.
4. It protects the leaders of the institution.
5. It violates human rights.
6. It damages people. (p. 125)

So, what to do? The authors suggest five essential practices.

1. Treat people as people. "People with names and histories and stories. People who are doing well and people who are not. People who are recovering from church abuse. People who've had surgeries and sicknesses. People who are aging. People who are rich and poor and everything in between. People who are wounded and in need of healing, people who are unemployed and underemployed, people who need encouragement or tangible assistance." (p. 127) A couple of years ago, I had surgery and spent a night in the hospital. I had offers of assistance from one person, a close friend. No one else even bothered to check in. There is something wrong with that!
2. Enfold others into the community. This practice is actually #1 going deeper. It's about including one another into the life of the others in the church inside and outside the building. It takes time to develop deep relationships.  "Billi Milliken, founder of Communities in Schools,...said, 'I've been working in this field for fifty years...and I've never seen a program turn around a life. Only relationships turn around lives.'" (p. 128) I believe deep in my soul that this must be modeled and practiced by the pastor and church staff.  If they don't get involved in the lives of the congregation beyond their current friend group, what motivation will others in the church have to do it?  
3. Recognize all people as made in the image of God. "Recognizing all people as made in the image of God means always seeing their potential, not just their present sinful condition." (p. 130)
4. Treat people as siblings. What does that look like? "Siblings care about one another...look out for one another...protect one another...believe one another...trust one another...see the good and the bad and love each other anyway." (p. 131)
5. Develop Jesus-like eyes for people. Jesus saw beyond out appearances. He looked at people with compassion, and he acted on that compassion. (p. 131-132) "The apostle Paul had a similar heart for people--though many people today get him wrong on this one." (p. 132) The authors reference 2 Corinthians 2:12-13 to prove their point. Look it up! Paul loved Titus so much that he left his planned route to go find Titus. They also mention Paul's great love for the church in Colossae references in Colossians 1:28-2:2. (p. 133)

"The Bible's vision of tov is all about people in relationship with others...A people-first culture instinctively treats people as image bearers and as siblings...Relationships in the Circle of Tovare shaped by one of the Bible's most beautiful words: truth." (p. 133-134)

And that is where the next chapter is headed.  I can't wait.  The lack of a truth culture was a HUGE issue in our previous church. Secrecy, cover-ups, lack of transparency...all of these were present there.