To be part of a caravan is much more demanding than joining the clientele of a commissary. Given a choice, "the people" will go for the commissary every time.
That is why Moses got the reaction he did!!
After 450 years of captivity, Moses lead them out of Egypt. They were on their way to the Promise Land. The people were exuberant about being free from slavery. They rejoiced as they began their journey. Not So McGee!!
Three days after they were led out of Egypt, the people were fed up with their “caravaning”. They challenged Moses with taking them out of Egypt because Egypt didn’t have enough graves for them.
They complained that at least while they were in Egypt they ate red beans and rice. Oh yes, another question they asked was “Where is the water? Did you bring us out here to die of thirst!!”
Israel preferred the commissary of Egypt to the caravan of freedom. That is why the church is where it has been since the time of Constantine. The church is smart enough to see what works best with the people.
With that, the distinction between a commissary and a caravan church ought to be very clear. It is up to you to decide how this applies to your particular congregation and what is to be done about it.
But, as you do your analysis, be aware that the basic distinction has its effect on almost every aspect of congregational life and structure.
For example, the commissary model had 429 open ministries in the children and/or youth department. There were no ministry openings in the Adult or Senior (Seasoned) Believer’s Department.
Compare that to the Caravan model where no one is left behind.
THE BOOMER BLOGGER
RON
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1 comment:
Hi Ron,
The statistics in your sample are not surprising. I've been in the church for over 40 years and I don't believe I've EVER met or heard of a full time "Seasoned Believers" minister. EVER. Other than taking the obligatory trips to Branson (referred to by Gary Sweeten on his 'Braveheart' blog) the group meets perhaps once a month to eat and/or fellowship. No brainstorming sessions. No "let's serve our community with gusto!" Nada. It's "blue hair" tours or nothing. Too bad.
As a therapist, I believe I have detected (over the years) a kind of growing apathy where senior saints are concerned. There's a "preventative maintenance" that can be done with younger folks. By the time you reach Seasoned Believer age, the mindset is that the Church is doing "damage control." Bill Wilson (of Metro Ministries fame in New York City) has a tagline that says, "IT's easier to build boys and girls than to repair men and women." I think the Church looks at Seasoned Believers not only as non productive, but as a liability that must be "cared for."
At least the Caravan analogy keeps us moving! It doesn't sequester us to a dimly lit room in a nursing home where we are to spend out the rest of our days thinking about WHAT WAS or what COULD HAVE BEEN.
A commissary not only says, "Come once a week and get what you need" but it also says, "If you can't get here, send a designated shopper" OR "we deliver." I believe neither are honoring to the Seasoned Believer.
Thanks again, Ron for making this blog an easy but thought provoking read!
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