How to avoid narrow, short-term thinking? This week, we discussed our value of Longevity. Here are some notes from our discussion. Enjoy!
SYNOPSIS
God’s plan is eternal.
Our plan for being the Body of Jesus Christ in Chicago should reflect the eternality of God’s plan. Our planning should aim at Longevity wherever possible.
PRINCIPLES
1. Longevity is a Gospel mindset (Colossians 3:1-4; Ephesians 1:4-10; Romans 12:2).
2. Longevity is a product of sustained investment in the indispensable and ageless (Matthew 7:36-39; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13).
3. Longevity requires flexibility. Principle must be distinguished from method. That which is temporal must be allowed to change (Luke 12:15-21; Mark 2:24-18).
4. Longevity requires discipline and commitment (1 Corinthians 9:23-27; 2 Timothy 2:3-6).
5. Longevity requires grace (Philippians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
great thoughts and scripture connections on longevity. what will that begin to look like in the body of Christ? in particular, the line in chicago? i’d love to hear your thoughts on this more and perhaps the question: how do we measure and evaluate longevity as leaders?
Matt, we made a list celebrating some ways that Longevity is being worked out at The Line. I am posting it below.
As far as evaluation goes, I suggest the following questions:
1. Which aspects of the church will not change or go out of fashion in 50,100,250 years? Are we investing first and foremost in those things?
2. Which aspects of the church should change in 50,100,250 years? Have we made our plans in ways that allow and encourage those things to change? How can we plan so that those things have no choice but to change when appropriate? (You’ll hear more about this when we formally unveil our Artist in Residence program).
3. What do we get most excited about? Are our hearts most passionate about the indispensable and ageless? (i.e. Jesus, doctrine, salvation, love) Or, are our hearts most passionate about the transient and current? (i.e., new methods, forms of church, etc.)
4. What do we spend the majority of our time talking about?
5. What do we spend the majority of our time thinking about?
6. What do we spend the majority of our time reading about?
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CURRENT EXERCISES IN LONGEVITY
Adopting Longevity as a Gospel Mindset
1. August Preaching Series: Conviction
2. Sunday Prayer
3. Chicago Discovery Period
Investment in The Indispensable and Ageless
1. Preaching
2. Focus on Gospel Community
3. Sunday After-Parties
4. Connecting with Long-Term Residents in Chicago
Aaron…I wanted to ask how Longevity compares to Paul’s church planting mindset? He seems to move constantly forward in his Gospel endeavors from location to location. At most he spent 3 years in one location (correct me if I’m wrong). Let me know what you think and why Paul did what he did and how it relates to what we should do today.
Great question Michael. Paul certainly made plans with Longevity in mind. How else would he be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim 4:7)? Paul must have felt that God had called him to participate in His eternal plan in a very specific way, and planned for that work to survive once he had died. That is the essence of planning with Longevity in mind. Rather than focusing on short-term successes, Paul focuses on that which has long term value: doing what God has called him to do (v.5). The part Paul had to play was strategic regional church planting. Others grew and equipped the existing churches in ways that provided long-term stability. Still others contributed financially, offered their lives as martyrs, or simply served the poor. 2,000 years later we reap the benefits of their willingness to focus on God’s story rather than serving their own.
That is a great reply. Paul also shows his desire for Longevity when he initially responds negatively to John Mark leaving him and Barnabas on their first missionary journey.
Very true!