Church Zero by Peyton Jones

I recently finished reading Church Zero:  Raising 1st Century Churches of the the Ashes of the 21st Century Church by Peyton Jones.  I was blessed and challenged by it.    Perhaps there might be some who may be a bit put off by the large amount of pop culture references, but the substance is scripturally sound and thought provoking.  It encouraged me to seek God's direction and stay the course.  It caused me to examine myself and the ministry of the fellowship I am part of.  It also was another confirmation concerning things God has already been saying:  we cannot just keep "doing church" as we have seen traditionally modeled, but must embrace the scriptural model revealed in the book of Acts.  Jones emphasises the need for kingdom expansion through church planting, not building empires that become insular and hungry for more people so we can afford better toys.

There was one time when our "modern" worship services were cutting edge, proactive according to the leading of the Spirit.  For the last thirty years or so I have observed, not a whole lot has changed.  Well, things have changed - but perhaps not always for the better.  We know so much, but we trust God little.  Once the machine of ministry is rolling, we can be snagged between jagged gears which catch men and women, painfully chew them up, and spit them out.  The church tends to "cherry pick" those who serve, rather than training and encouraging all people to do the work of the ministry beyond the walls of a church.  There is more to Christian service than chores around a building:  it is the building up of one another in love through fellowship, pressing forward towards Christ in faith.

Having worked with children, youth, and adults during seasons of ministry, I can relate to many of the things Peyton Jones says.  What is particularly troubling (in a good way!) is it challenges the model that passes for youth groups and even church these days.  I found several passages almost haunting, as they dripped with raw truth.  Jones writes, "As E. Stanley Jones explained, The very setup of the ordinary church tends to produce the anonymous.  The congregation is supposed to be silent and receptive, and the pastor is supposed to be outgoing and aggressive.  That produces by its very makeup the spectator and the participant.  By its very makeup it produces the recessive, the ingrown, the non-contributive, and the parasite.  Men and women who during the weeks are molders of opinion, directors of large concerns, directors of destinies are expected to be putty on Sunday, and are supposed to like it.  The have little responsibility, hence make little response, except, perhaps, "I enjoyed your sermon."  They have little to do, hence thy do little." (Church Zero, Kindle, highlight on page 199, Loc. 2383-86)

Following Jesus Christ is not a spectator activity.  To be honest, I suspect many Christians are more emotionally involved with their children's sport's teams, a TV show, or a novel than with Jesus Christ!  I do not say these things to criticise the church, but as a part of the church I know that at times it has been and still can be true in me!  Oh, that we would learn to love and follow Christ!  That we would lead others to Him!  This may mean we need to change our methods, but Jesus is still our means and end.  A flaw of church today is the tendency to be reactionary.  In seeking to be progressive by implementing a program or strategising with plans that have worked for others, it remains a reactionary response.  The only way the church can ever be progressive or effective for the kingdom of God is to be led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

God is working and moving in the church today.  He is stretching hearts and shattering paradigms.  He will break forth with power and might when we choose to repent, inquire of God, and faithfully obey His commands.  In due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  We must be willing to follow Christ standing on His Word alone.  Even if no one follow us, may we follow Christ.  Where He goes, we must follow!