Compassion By Design

One book that has been shaking my world recently is Alan Hirsch’s “Forgotten Ways.”  I had the chance to hear Alan speak at the Exponential Conference last year in Orlando and the idea that western Christian expression is in major decline was not new to me– but to hear this put into stark terms made me stop and think.  Quoting Barna in “Revolution,” Alan discussed the implications of church attendance in America shrinking by 50% over the next 18 years.  That takes the idea of decline to a new level.  To think about serving as a leader during the period of the churches greatest decline ought to concern anyone who cares about the Kingdom of God.  I feel compelled to do something about this. 

 There is no doubt that these issues center around our inability to connect to our culture, and our lack of real discipleship.   Churches that are irrelevant and filled with people whose primary idea of discipleship is to show up most of the time on sunday morning and write a check just won’t cut the requirements of a postmodern culture for meaning and credibility.  I am convinced that church planting holds the promise for innovation and real discipleship. 

The Compassion by Design Needs Assessment process is one small contribution to helping with these issues.  “Action Discipleship” as it is described by Hirsch is teaching people to be Christians by taking them along in the process, not just telling them in an educational setting.  The needs assessment helps church planting teams to learn to engage their communities from day 1 with a pattern of listening and connecting.  This “Action Discipleship” will place the entire church plant team face to face with community members for the purpose of LISTENING to their needs and concerns.  This practice also helps the new church to dial into the culture more quickly as a result of the process. 

Becoming relevant isn’t optional, and building new churches that connect “face to face” with community members is an important step toward creating disciples who really are moved with compassion for those around them.