COVID-19 PERSPECTIVE: Tom Mercer
High Desert Church, Southern California
History teaches us that there are silver linings in every crisis. While we cannot yet know every lesson that will emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry paradigm it forced upon local churches is compelling. The crisis may have caught many flat-footed, but it also forced us to consider a vital implication of the Christian mission: God’s kingdom is best shared virally, from person to person. Auditoriums and well-lit stages have never been where God’s most transformative work is accomplished; now that those assets are less accessible, we can finally embrace that reality.
For decades, the 10/40 window has provided a clinic on church growth, proving that professional clergy and high-tech programming are not the primary keys to expansion. When believers are forced to stop going to church, they are often compelled to start being the church. Do the people we lead even know they are built to change the world? This realization brings us to the oldest and most powerful tool available: the oikos principle. Embracing this concept is essential for building a disciple-making culture in churches and emphasizes multiplication through kingdom math.
Picture your life as taking place in a theater that’s filled with a lot of people. Some are sitting in the balcony. Others in the mezzanine. Still others are sitting down in the orchestra section. To some degree, they may all be able to see the way you behave or to listen to what you say, but it’s those eight to 15 people in the front row who have the best seats in the house to do both. The Greeks called that inner circle of “extended family,” our oikos.
Maybe it’s time to consider taking at least some of the spotlight off of our stages and focus our energies back to where 95% of world change actually takes place—on the front row. Ninety-five percent of Christian conversions are generated through a personal relationship that is shared between a believer and someone who is close to them. No seriously, that’s not a typo. Ninety-five is not my way of saying “an awful lot.” It’s my way of saying 95. Like, in almost everyone. If you don’t believe me, just ask your church family.
The next few months give us a great opportunity to test-drive that singular principle that Jesus gave us to grow his church. After all, when you think about it, what else are you going to do?
THE OIKOS PRINCIPLE
RAMPING UP PERSONAL GROWTH AND PERSONAL MISSION AT HIGH DESERT CHURCH
Who’s in my oikos? It may be friends, relatives, neighbors, work associates, or school acquaintances.
1. Who’s on your front row now?
The cross may change the makeup of your oikos. “Always be suspicious that God is up to something” (Margaret Feinberg).
2. Pray for your oikos daily.
Pray that each one would sense God’s presence and encouragement.
3. Call, email and text each one regularly.
Ask how you can pray, resource or otherwise encourage them. God may use this crisis to move some of your neighbors into your oikos.
4. Invite them to join our online community this weekend.
The church communications team provides a digital invitation that is specific to each weekend service.
5. Take advantage of online resources provided for you and your entire family.
Check the website regularly for new resources and encouragement.
Read more COVID-19 Perspectives from pastors and church leaders.