This weekend we kicked off our new message series called FAMILY PORTRAIT. The purpose of this series is to identify the DNA of healthy family function. These values and principles apply both the natural families and to church families.
I believe that the 'family' metaphor is the most important description of the church when it comes to discerning how a local church should function. The Bible uses many great metaphors for the church: Body, Bride, Building (Temple Of The Holy Spirit), Flock, Army.
But when it comes to decision making, management of relationships, and day to day function--I like the idea of FAMILY.
Recently, I have been taken the time to put down on paper some of my thoughts as to CHURCH FAMILY function. My purpose in doing this is to codify some of the values a healthy local church so that we make sure we reproduce healthy children when we plant churches.
I have written a 20 page paper on Church Family Governance. Here it is: Download seven_values.Jan08.pdf.
For those of you who are interested in this, I would love to get your feedback. This document is still in process. So send me any thoughts, questions, or input.
Jeff, I'm also at a place of really digging into this vital aspect of church life... your work on this is brilliant (so far) - I've only scanned it but plan to give it some serious, thoughtful consideration - so far, I really feel on the same page...
lovin' the family, chilly
Posted by: Chilly | January 22, 2008 at 03:00 AM