How denominations are like public education

Did you know Newt Gingrich in his younger days looked very similar to Radar from M.A.S.H.?

I would like to suggest four similarities between denominations and public education.

1. They both have problems. If you are involved in either a denomination or public education, you know that there is no shortage of problems. Leadership, vision, communication, local involvement, and community outreach are just some of the issues that can plague both types of organizations.

2. They are both filled will people doing their best. This one gets overlooked many times. I have often been quick to criticize organizations while forgetting the people who are doing good. Sure, there are people who aren’t doing their best, or whose best simply is not good enough, but let’s not neglect to recognize those who are working hard to ensure the organization is meeting needs and demands.

3. The strongest opponents are often not involved in helping better the organization. I’ve seen it in the denomination and in the public school. Those who complain and murmur the loudest and the most are usually doing the least to help. If an organization is important enough for you to complain about, shouldn’t you be working hard to make it effective? In both organizations, there are ways for lay people to get involved and generate change, so there is no excuse.

4. If it is harmful for you or your family, you should leave. Ed Stetzer recently wrote about this. You may care about the organization, and you may be trying to help better it, but if it becomes detrimental for you or your family, it’s time to leave. Leaving an organization (especially one you care about) is difficult, and there are situations that would cause you to not be able to break off all ties (such as personal relationships or paying taxes for education). But if you do decide it is time to move on, let go of the complaining and bitterness. It won’t help you succeed in your next venture.

Are you actively involved in a denomination or public education?
Is there a time you had to decide to leave?

Denominations and Church Planting

What do you think about this quote?

“First, one of the trends is that there is more church planting. It’s getting recognized more, celebrated more, and done more. When I planted my first church in the inner city of Buffalo, NY in 1988, the idea of someone going out and starting a church was foreign to most people. As a planter I looked odd to people. People would wonder why I didn’t go and pastor an established church. I believe there’s a real possibility that this exponential increase will lead to an even higher level of church planting and the building of many church planting networks. That’s a good thing.

“Some [denominations] are still focused on fighting and separation over the establishment of new, healthy churches. Consequently, denominations are losing people who have caught on fire for God and desiring to see a movement they aren’t finding in their denomination. So they leave and join a movement and take the Gospel into the world. That can hurt denominations. I would love to see more folks stay in their denominations and work for reform. I would love to see them get serious about church multiplication in their own mission and ministry, setting an example to their denominations.”

Ed Stetzer, Trends in Church Planting, December 2010