Exhange theory: New for old

I have been making a point in recent blogs about how the building of walls relates to leadership. One of the most biblical arguments for this is the parable of Jesus, about the wineskins. He argued that you cannot put new wine into an old wine skin.

Someone once asked, “How can you continue doing the same thing and still expect a different outcome?” That is what Jesus implied. He was of course referring to the kingdom of God, but the implication was that the weight of revelation would strain old models and established worldviews. It needed to be contained in a new fabric, lest it burst. I suggest we are facing similar painful transitions in this era.

The transition from an Old Testament law-based religion to a New Testament faith and grace model was disruptive, though nothing new. Before he could start building the heart and soul of the post-exilic community, Nehemiah first built walls to separate the remnant of Israel from external influences and gainsaying. He had to change the outer fabric or framework, before trying to build the heart and soul.

The point about Nehemiah’s approach was that structure preceded function. It was true of Moses too, who first had to acquire divine patterns in the mount, and implement those patterns, before he could institute the priesthood.

I so often see churches trying to sustain some form of status quo, holding on to what has been. I see that play out in the corporate world too, but the influence of stakeholders is more direct and robust, so change does tend to happen more readily – that said, many firms found it very difficult to adapt to recent economic shifts, preferring to live in denial. Others are ignoring broader mega trends and slowly falling behind.

Today the church stands at a crossroads. The world is becoming increasingly hostile to our posture and it is also becoming tougher to sustain congregations. Some are responding to a changing world by becoming contemporary, but that merely papers over the cracks, whilst doing nothing for the underlying fabric or model – thus we cannot expect a different outcome. Indeed, one of the underlying motives of such trends is the need for popular leaders to protect their power bases and sustain their platforms. Unfortunately, as in Jesus time, we may find many so busy holding on to what they have that they may in be offended by the essence and heart of the faith, Christ our King.

Many other churches are responding by shifting to various levels of organic church life, which is both biblical and better equipped to endure coming contradictions. Ironically, the corporate world is also becoming more organic, with matrix organisations and networked firms. Individuals are also connecting via social networks.

However, to get there, we must review our framework. We must also be biblical, for therein is our equivalent of Nehemiah’s royal seals, and we must restore our ancient ruins for that is what Isaiah 61 says will be our end of the age mandate.

(c) Peter Eleazar @ www.4u2live.net
Image source: bradbeaman.wordpress.com/