25 January 2008
An Exersize in Futility — Final
Shameless Plug: Don’t forget to check out the hot new blog (my wife’s) at www.michellesingleton.com
Now…Here’s the wrap-up that has been forever in the writing. Last time we talked about the zillions and zillions of structures and denominations that Christians have come up with over the last 2,000 years. It’s pretty easy to see all the confusion and wasted time quite a few of them promote. So the question is,
None of them and some of them.
I know, not the answer you were looking for, but let me explain.
The one place churches should go for guidance on this issue is often the last (if they bother referencing it at all). I’m talking about at least 2 separate scripture passages, I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Amazingly, the structures we find in most churches are not in either chapter.
Did you catch that?
The structures people are willing to fight for, gossip about, split churches over, demand {on supposedly biblical grounds}, etc., aren’t even in there! — In fact, they aren’t anywhere in the Bible.
Surprised?
It’s true. Just like the plethora of denominations (over 33,000!) that have sprung up because of in-fighting or spitting hairs, for good reasons and for bad—church structures have also sprung up in an attempt to rightly interpret these passages. The following are some examples:
- Presbyterian feel lay elders keep a greater accountability on the pastor but fail to provide accountability much of the time for those same elders.
- Baptists put this same mantle on the deacons with much the same results. Although they have the added mystery of sort of ‘ignoring’ elders altogether
- Sometimes there is a mix of the 2 in what appears to be a hodgepodge of everything.
- However, by far the most popular model is simply what I call the, “American Business Model.” This comes complete with a pastor functioning in a President or
- 5th structure is a staff lead church. This may sound new but it’s really as old as the Bible itself. The first staff consisted of people like the disciples and the apostle Paul. Timothy lead the church in
Southbrook moved to a Staff lead model about 3 years ago for a number of reasons. Among these was the fact that we were growing so fast that a once a month meeting of lay elders (all of whom had full time jobs in other fields) was no longer adequate for our type of church needing to make more and faster decisions on an almost hourly basis. We also began to feel the need for the primary leaders (of day to day operations) to be the very pastors who were in fact there at the church 24/7. Most of the churches we respect and look to are structured similarly. In fact, our own bylaws are adapted from the bylaws of Fellowship Church in Grapevine,
Contrary to the opinions of some, it ends up being the system with the most accountability for several reasons. First and foremost, it allows the leaders to focus on the vision and day to day operations of the church while the finances and church discipline, etc are turned over to mostly lay people. These two areas are the ones where most churches get in trouble and where lay people need to have the most input.
One example…Before we moved to this structure, I was present at each and every financial team meeting. I helped set policy and set the financial direction. Under the new structure, I haven’t been to a financial meeting in over 2 years! This is just one example of how I have been freed up to concentrate of leading, preaching, teaching, equipping and all of the other things that God called me to do rather than areas where others have greater gifts and abilities.
- Meet with another outside pastor from
- Yet another outside pastor from the
- A former professor from Dallas Theological Seminary.
- The Core team (pastoral elders) of
- An advisory board made up of lay leaders from Southbrook Church (these men serve as an accountability team for me and function basically in the role of lay elders — they are, David Peed, Mark Cianciaoso, Art TerKeurst and David Alexander).
Honestly, I hover between laughter and bewilderment at the lengths people will go to to defend broken systems and the depths they’ll sink to in order to demand ,their traditional structure be in place wherever they attend church—whether it works or not!
Usually, it’s not.
At Southbrook we want real accountability that will bring people together in frank discussion and love in order to help each of us (not just me) finish the race and stand before God ready to hear the words, “Well done good and faithful servant.” But it continues to baffle me the many “Christians” I speak with who want what looks good on paper while in reality does nothing.
In the last couple of years alone we have witnessed (just in our area) 2 large churches that were structured to the hilt with every denominational accountability check and balance imaginable in place, still self destruct because no real, caring accountability existed at all. These churches hemorrhaged people over it and it ruined the lives of at least a dozen pastors.
But at least the “Sacred Traditional Structure” survived.
Honestly people, who gives a rip about the structure if the entire church is falling apart?! It’s the people Christ loves, not the government. That’s why I found myself thankful yet again for those in my life who really genuinely care that I finish strong. We met for lunch yesterday (me and the advisory/accountability team) and they challenged me in several areas and encouraged me in several others. But they were also quick to remind me that they believe in me, pray for me and intend to be a hedge between me and the evil one who loves to chew up preachers and spit’em out.
Thanks guys!
One more thing—thanks for hanging in with this incredibly long post…
Friends, to care more about a structure than the people it’s set up to serve is nuts, but we see it all the time. At both churches I referred to above the lead pastors did not have a single individual on either elder board who was involved enough in the lead pastor’s life to help or offer any kind of hope. It all came down to, “business as usual.” Oh that they would have cared as much for their shepherd as they did their structure. I’m convinced none of it would have happened.
A quick trip to any nearby mirror would be the fastest way to locate said behavior and culprit, but they never go there.
I’ve even seen it come and go at Southbrook over the years. Fortunately, “religious types” don’t stay long at
And so we’ve grown a church that is incredibly real, infinitely loving and generous, and unwaveringly committed to seeing God’s purposes lived out through Southbrook.
You all rock!
And I love being your pastor.
16 Comments currently posted.
Patrick Van Buskirk says:
JT says:
Nice Job! Nice Post! You can’t be anymore transparent then that. Let’s put this all to rest and move on to increasing the kingdom!
Newbies @SB says:
Hi Rob,
Thanks for that post. We’re new at SB and have been a part of a church that had “pastor seeking missiles.” Not a fun thing.
We attended 101 last weekend and had questions about the structure. This post is exactly what was needed. Staff lead…….it rocks.
Newbies @SB says:
Hi Rob,
Thanks for that post. We’re new at SB and have been a part of a church that had “pastor seeking missiles.” Not a fun thing.
We attended 101 last weekend and had questions about the structure. This post is exactly what was needed. Staff lead…….it rocks.
Kati says:
I grew up going to traditional churches. Honestly the first time i came to Southbrook. About 6 months after the oringinal building was built i didn’t like it. The service and everyone’s attitude was so different. I had grown so use to the structure and rules at traditional churches I was so confused at southbrook. Slowly as I became more involved I fell in love with Southbrook. Also my relationship with Christ is incredibly stronger. I’m glad Southbrook focuses so much on relationships. Becuase if we don’t have strong relationships with each other as a church how can we expect to be able to have one with Jesus?
Gods.glori says:
I love the transparency! Everything you ever wanted to know and didn’t know you needed to know. This church is great for keeping it really. I grew up in a charismatic church and I am used to chandelier swings, dancing in the aisle, keeping it real…..at least that’s what I think is real. Thank you Pastors for being faithful to the call.
Matt and Dee Langley says:
And we love you for being our pastor! Everyone on the staff, lay leaders, and volunteers are absolutely some of the best people in this world. We love Southbrook!
Tracy says:
Rob, this was very enlightening and informative. It also explains why two very special people (employees) left our church recently. I really hated to see them go but you’re right, you have to go with what works instead of what’s ’supposed to be’. Thanks!
Robsingleton.net » Now Do Something About It! says:
[…] more about Southbrook and the way we are structured. If you haven’t read it you can do so here. Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and […]
Rob says:
You’re welcome, Tracy!
I’m glad it helps. A lot of time and years went into structuring Southbrook in such a way as to (as I said earlier) maximize ministry and minimize maintenance. I certainly understand people having difficulty letting go of a tradition they are used too–it happens all the time.
I am a whole lot less understanding, however, when people gossip or slander out of that same discomfort. There’s no place for this in God’s kingdom and it’s one of the 7 sins God says He hates the most.
During this past 101 class (last weekend) I felt like the Lord was telling me to be “more clear than ever” about the vision, structure, etc of Southbrook. I’ve learned how important that is, not only for leadership at any church, but also for the folks coming in to be able to support a ministry with their whole heart and never find themselves hurting it for what amounts to more personal reasons than anything else.
The most frustrating thing about this series and this particular post was that it truly only scratches the surface and I’m always hesitant to put anything out there that might raise more questions than it answers.
Thanks again for letting me know it was helpful to you.
Pastor Rob
Rick W says:
I appreciate the response regarding this issue. All I have ever desired was for someone to give a thoughrough answer to why we do the elders the way we do. I have never desired to cause gosip or cause decention hin our Church, I have always been a big supporter of our pastor,but just because someone gets defensive it does not mean that the answer fully satisfies the question.I don’t belive that asking questions constitutes gossip. If we can’t ask questions what are we a church or something else. Just food for thought. I love Southbrook and have been here almost 8 years.
God be with you all
Rob says:
You’re absolutely right, Rick–asking questions does not constitute gossip.
Gossip constitutes gossip. 
And when the Lord lists the seven deadly sins and includes gossip, he does not add “questioning” as a sub-category.In fact, the apostle Paul says that we all should be like the Bereans (who constantly checked even Paul’s messages against scripture).
There probably does come a moment in time when we all realize we won’t get every question answered to a completely satisfactory level, and that’s when you look at the fruit of the individual or church and make a decision as you all have over the last 8 years.
Thanks for all you do!
We love you!
Pastor Rob
Rick W says:
WE no doubt support the effort that is made at southbrook to reach the lost and we know there is always going to be controversy when it comes to the mater in which things are done. I just wanted an answer and that has been given. We love you and michelle and the kids but I am one of those who are skeptical to begin with and some of that comes from my history with the church in general. I kow our ultimate goals are the same and we may not always agree on how we get there but we love God and want his will in our lives.
May God bless you and your family
Rick
Robsingleton.net » Take Advantage of This! says:
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robsingleton.net » Don’t Say I Never Give You Anything! says:
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Elizabeth says:
Rob We Love You and the Pastoral Staff. You have always been fair and formost straight forward with your teachings on Christ. That is what got us hooked almost 5 years ago. Thank you for keeping it real and keeping it honest.
See you Sunday
Great post PR. Thanks for the info.