Meahl Memories

A Church Called Tov - Chapter 7: "Tov Churches Nurture Grace"

"Pastors shaped by goodness are grace dispensers, agents of God called to help, be with, and offer grace to those whom they are called to serve." (p 113) I saw a huge dichotomy between the pastor of our former church and our son's pastor. Our pastor didn't want to do weddings, funerals, or hospital visits. He didn't want to interact with his congregation other than the members of his small group--the chosen ones. Our son's pastor saw his job as visiting regularly in the homes of his people. He was devastated when COVID-19 made that more difficult. 

The authors then delineate seven features of a grace-filled church revolving around the definition of grace as a gift. "The entirety of the Christian life is a response to the gift of grace our tov God has given us." (p. 117) As church members recognize and receive God's gift of grace, "we become a gift-based family of grace givers and receivers...The gift of grace does not establish a hierarchy of power relationships, in which some people are deemed superior to others." (p. 117)

It is important to note that we aren't capable of being grace-filled on our own. The Holy Spirit transforms church members from "enemies and strangers into friends and family." (p. 117)  We need the Holy Spirit to "transform us into a flourishing family filled with people-first people and givers of grace." (p. 117)  I love that description--people-first people. The people have to be more important than any program or pastor or employee handbook, etc...

In the last section of this chapter, McKnight and Barringer briefly spell out requirements for a grace-shaped church culture (p. 119-120). 

• trust - "the invisible glue that binds people together"
• reciprocity - "we must give in order to get"
• freedom - "A fear-based culture stifles freedom through legalism, authoritarianism, status, and approval-based relationships."
• space/room - "room to learn and make mistakes" 

In the next chapter, we'll dive into the goodness found in a people-first church culture.