"Refounding" is a term I remember from some of my business classes. Without it most companies will fail within a few generations. The idea behind refounding is there is a certain way of thinking and acting that must continuously be traced back to the founder for consistency and passion to remain in the organization. It refers to a foundational culture that maintains the following beliefs: values and assumptions of the founder; the continued validation of these beliefs through the learning/training experiences of employees; and the embellishment of these core beliefs into the current culture and experience of the company. No doubt, that is why "Dave's" picture seems to hang on the wall of every Wendy's restaurant (my favorite burger joint by the way) with his core values listed below.
The church must be "refounded" on Jesus Christ every time we are together or focus will soon be lost. He is the critical link for the health and success of the Church. The defining role Jesus played in the conception of our organization sprang from His life and work. We must remain preoccupied with these things!
What is the difference between the average church person and the Pharisee of the New Testament? Think about that for a moment. The Pharisees are the prime examples of what can happen to Christianity if we do not refound regularly on Jesus. They had a sincere belief system. Were extremely zealous about their religion and meticulous tithers (even beyond what was required of them). They held to a strong doctrinal/biblical moral code and believed in the authority of scripture. They even believed in miracles and were devoted to prayer. And yet, they were divorced from love, humility, mercy and God's direction and fashioned the plan which crucified Jesus. What if they had refounded in Christ?
The description I just listed for the Pharisees is a portrait of the dedicated church person today. However, like them we can all fall prey to religion if Christ is not refounded daily in our lives. Our rules will replace His core values. Our spirit of compassion will give way to being critical and judgmental of others. Living the status quo of our religion will eventually stifle our "going forth into the world" as Jesus did and will make the walls of the building sacred and our preference for worship territorial. Who knows, Jesus probably came to earth to save us from our religion!
Thanks for stopping by!
------
Adrian
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Adrian, you are speaking to my passion. I have struggle with phariseeism in my life. I like to refer to myself as a recovering Pharisee. Do we have a 12 step program for that? It's easy to get sucked into the religion game because it is easy. Following Christ is not. Religion is comfortable because it really doesn't require anything from us. Following Christ, unlike following religion, costs us everything as it did Him.
ReplyDelete