May 2004
Renewal – by Andersen Windows. The full-page ad outlined the “heartbreaking” problem of “inferior windows.” The ad concluded with the promise: “Call Renewal by Andersen and solve your window problems for good!”
I have nothing against Andersen Windows (in fact the French doors onto my patio are by Andersen). But I did see the ad when I was thinking about church renewal, and found it fascinating. It is not immediately apparent (at least to me) why Andersen chose to call their product “Renewal” when it is clearly replacement. I was also interested that, in good engineering orientation, they see window deterioration not only as a “problem,” but as a problem that can be “solved for good” simply by purchasing and installing their product.
And what does that have to do with church renewal?
Andersen’s approach to the heartbreak of inferior windows illustrates how many of our churches seek renewal.
First, the current situation is understood as the result of an “inferior” product being installed in the first place. Somehow it is forgotten that those old inferior windows managed to keep the snow out for 30 years. Somehow it is forgotten that those windows were the best available at the time. Somehow it is forgotten that those windows satisfied the aesthetics of that time. We can’t simply celebrate the years that those old windows had done the job, and then move on to something more appropriate for today. We must demonize those old windows as inferior from the very beginning, and question the wisdom and integrity of those who installed them in the first place.
It is a widespread practice of change advocates to “trash” anything that has gone before. Old is bad—new is good. A faithful steward will discern the good in the old, discern what needs to be preserved, and will celebrate it all without becoming a slave to the past. A faithful steward will likewise discern the good in the new, discern what needs to be adopted, and will do so without becoming a slave to the trendy.
While there are those who are slaves to the past and who need to be liberated, usually the practice of indiscriminately trashing the past evokes a passionate defense (old is good—new is bad). Defenders can become irrational and the process of bona fide renewal takes two steps backwards.
Second, these inferior windows present a problem that can be solved for good. Clearly the marketers won the day on this. Did anyone seriously consider the possibility (nay, the certainty) that 30 years from now these windows will also become old and inferior? I have fought with houses all my adult life. No “fix” is ever permanent.
Some change advocates see church renewal as a “fix-it” job. Do it one time; get it right; and you never have to do it again. It never occurs to them that years from now, a new generation of change advocates will be questioning their intelligence about these permanent fixes. And traditionalists will blindly defend the unchangeable character of the fixes they installed.
One principle from the Reformation that we should hold high is that “the church is ever re-forming.” I don’t believe it is a violation of the intent to say that churches are always renewing. Renewal is an unending job. The way we handle renewal today will not only set the stage for how renewal will be done tomorrow, it will also prescribe glasses (or blinders) through which the need for renewal is recognized (or denied).
Lastly, the problem connected with these inferior windows can be permanently solved with a product. Andersen wants to sell their product, and so the advertising promises that their product can permanently solve the problem. One of the consequences of living in an industrial culture is that we instinctively look for a product to meet a need. While there is nothing inherently wrong with the use of products to alleviate problems, the promise that every situation can be addressed by a product is an empty one.
Churches also look for products. These products may take the form of programs, conferences, workbooks, etc. Whatever the form, the idea is the same: Take this out of the box, carefully follow the instructions, and the problem will be fixed. Because this is true for many things, we make the fundamental error of applying the strategy to everything. This approach certainly is not true for church renewal. Well-intended church leaders need to stop looking for the right product to apply.
A few weeks ago I attended a meeting of ABC regional leaders from across the country. During that meeting we heard a report from, and had conversation with, National Ministry leaders involved with New Life 2010. Congregational renewal is an important part of that emphasis. We also heard from leaders who are successfully engaged in church renewal. From that, I share with you two conclusions:
No church renewal “product” works.
Any church renewal “product” can work.
Nonsense? No, it simply reveals that the determining component in church renewal is not the product. No program, conference, workbook, or whatever, will unfailingly produce church renewal. But just about any program, conference, workbook, or whatever can produce church renewal if other key components are in place.
What are those key components? There are just two. First, there must be spiritual vitality in the congregation. Second, leaders (including but not limited to the Pastor) must be committed to follow the costs and consequences of spiritual renewal.
Spiritual vitality is the fundamental imperative for any church thinking about renewal. The most comprehensive church renewal programs know that, and include it in their steps or strategies for renewal. But churches undermine the intent of this spiritual component by treating it as just one more thing to be “checked off” before they get to the “real” work of renewal. That is a formula for failure.
Leaders would do well to spend less time searching for the perfect renewal program, and more time attending to spiritual vitality—including their own commitment renewal.
You might want to check out my essays from May 1999, June 1999, August 2002, November 2002 and December 2002.
© American Baptist Churches
of the Great Rivers Region
Permission to copy for noncommercial use is granted
