Content Conundrum?! - Part II

How does a content conundrum impact the Church?

Simply put, content is central to Discipleship.  Whether it is impartation or doing, both are dependent upon good, accurate content.  Consequently, the Church, steadfast in Jesus' command to "make disciples," is deeply affected by our culture's crisis and forces the asking of some strategic questions.  What are innovative delivery models in the 21st century for imparting content?  Do we need to "dumb down" Christian teaching and praxis for Today's worshippers due to a perception of disinterest?  How can the communication of in depth content be done in an inspiring, engaging manor without becoming gimmicky?  When does a contemporary driven church become nothing more than an ecclesiastical expression of crowd-source marketing?  Or, when does a traditional church become strictly a well preserved time capsule functioning as a silo of nostalgia in a changing world?  Typically, a church's answers to these questions create the gap between old and new expressions of liturgy and mission.

It is easy to ask the questions, but the real work is in the answers.  The primary challenge is that proposed solutions can have a dimension of downside and are not always translatable in all contexts.  While I humbly acknowledge that this article will not provide a panacea for the above questions, it is an effort to provide some practical take-aways.  In addition, the goal is to recommend new approaches that are applicable in a variety of church settings.  I want us to begin occupying common ground between old and new churches so that our efforts are contributing to gap reduction not expansion.  Feel free to interact and add your own suggestions as we Call for a rejiggering of discipleship in the Church.

What are innovative delivery models in the 21st century for imparting content? (future blog posts will address the other questions)

• Life-long Sunday School Participants:  Many churches have one or more well-established, Adult Sunday School classes and/or teachers that have been together for decades.  The demographics of these classes are commonly seasoned Christians who find the traditional, Sunday School, delivery model to be familiar, comfortable, informative, a source of community, and a sacred ritual in their Sabbath rhythm. So why force change?  Bless and celebrate the years of faithfulness and continue to create space for this expression of discipleship.  The understandably entrenched semantics, symbols, relationships, and rituals of these Believers are not only embedded in their Spirituality but fundamentally represent something good. 

• Non-Engaged Participants:  This is the group that should be of primary interest to us and who represent an opportunity to experiment with a variety of delivery models.  Let's not assume that this coterie of lacking-systematic-discipleship people are necessarily disinterested in prioritizing time for intentional discipleship.  Let's instead assume that there is a foundational interest in consuming good content, and our task is to build upon it providing a one-size-does-not-fit-all menu for our Discipleship initiatives.  Here are some possibilities:
• Semantics:  Words create feelings and attitudes in people, and the phrase "Adult Sunday School Electives" does not appear in Holy Scripture!  So enlist the help of wordsmiths.  I am drawn to designations like cohorts, modules, webinars, online learning communities, seminars, and/or forums.  These words connote learning, innovation, intellectual stimulation, and modern organizational structures.  They resonate with inquiring minds. 
• Varied Delivery Models:  Weekend seminars, Distance Learning with a Monthly Discussion Group, Book Clubs, Weekly or Bi-Monthly Cohorts (can meet in a variety of places like businesses, coffee shops, homes, etc...), Menu of Modules, and much more.  Creative additions can be presented on a regular basis. 
• Teaching Churches:  There is a difference between a hospital and a teaching hospital.  Both provide quality service, but in the teaching hospital the patient expects students to be present with the doctor during medical care.  We need churches who will establish a teaching environment and prioritize substantial resources to the mentorship of future church leaders.  Partnerships with schools like Valley Forge Christian College could prove to be a creative delivery model for discipling future Christian leaders. 
• Tablets:  Go paperless!  Encourage the use of a tablet or smart phone.  Provide teaching notes, readings, and other sources electronically.  Most versions of the Bible are accessible online.  Utilizing modern tools integrates discipleship with everyday life which is the point! 
• Tracks:  Design a variety of tracks ranging from 6 months to two years.  People tend to appreciate working toward a goal. Tracks can be thematic, topical, or developmental.

Discipleship is energizing, creative, thoughtful, emotional, and life-changing.  We need to repent from guilt-ridden appeals for people to comply with obligatory attendance of non-inspiring, Sunday School formats.  God's Spirit will help us to discern how to impart a wholistic Christianity within the context of our cultural realities. To use a biblical allusion, let's pursue new wine skins for the 21st century without watering down the vintage wine that's been enjoyed for centuries.

To be continued...

Ex nihilo,

R.J. Rhoden