Big Events--What's the Return on Investment?

I just finished re-reading Bo's Cafe this week and was again struck by how important life-on-life relationships are to transformation (for individuals and communities). This led to a tweet: "Although Jesus would speak to the crowds, He focused on only a few. It is an illusion to believe that we can influence a crowd deeply." (You cannot make disciples in the context of a large gathering. You cannot train a crowd! Discipleship takes place only in the context of one-on-one or one-on-few or few-on-few).

How ironic, then, that most American traditional church activity focuses on "big events" like the weekend "service" or other large group meetings. Given the clearly evident failure of the western church to transform much of anything, what's up with all the focus on the big event? Here are some of the bigger rocks regarding this subject.

Concerning Jesus and the early church and crowds. Jesus did address large crowds, but He did so primarily to invite people to become disciples. His parables were designed to obscure truth to those whose hearts weren't set on knowing God while creating desire and curiosity in those whose hearts were. His frequent use of the term "the one who has ears to hear let him/her listen" is an invitation to draw closer and become a disciple. But yes, Jesus did teach the crowds, so what do we do with that? Two thoughts: first, the culture of that day was a "listening and remembering" culture, ours is a "feeling and forgetting" culture (think about it--we don't have to remember anything, but in Jesus' day people had to remember everything). People in Jesus' day were far more likely to remember what they heard. Second, even in His teaching large groups, Jesus wasn't expecting this to transform lives apart from a person becoming His disciple.

So Jesus addressed the crowds, and so did the early church (Pentecost comes to mind). But there is no evidence that they expected to make disciples this way. Nor was there any effort put forth to "putting on an event" or "attracting a crowd." Indeed, the crowds were generally drawn because of the supernatural demonstrations that accompany the message of the Kingdom of God. Addressing the crowds, then, was done to invite people to enter the Kingdom and become disciples. 

So why does so much effort in the traditional western Christian church go into big events? Part of it is cultural, and part of it is due to unquestioned traditions and assumptions. But after reading Bo's Cafe again  I am wondering if one big reason for doing the big event is that big events are so much easier and "safer" than living life-on-life with others! It's much easier and safer to hole up in your office with your books for 20 hours to prepare a message than it is to get in the trenches with people's messy lives. It's also easier and safer to plan the meeting than it is to live out the "one anothers" in a way that allows others to peer into our flaws and failures. The sad fact is that very toxic, unhealthy people can plan events, preach sermons, lead worship, etc., with the appearance of success. Ouch! You can be toxic and immature and do the big event, but you cannot make disciples in that condition, at least not disciples of Jesus!

But having written these sad words, I am filled with hope. "Bo's Cafes" are beginning to spring up more and more, many of them under the radar and behind the scenes. God is stirring up a hunger in people both inside and outside church walls for authentic, grace-enabled, Spirit-empowered community. I don't have time to describe all of this, but the very fact that John Lynch, Bill Thrall and Bruce McNicol have written books like TrueFaced, The Cure and Bo's Cafe is an indication that something good is stirring. And that something is  inviting us to examine where our hearts are and where our efforts are going. And there are many other similar books out there as well. The Great Omission by Dallas Willard is a great one, along with The Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks and many others. I close today with a quote from that wonderful prophet Dallas Willard who has been saying similar things for quite some time. This is from Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice, co-authored with Jan Johnson).

"The reason most congregations fail to routinely produce children of light is distraction. While majoring on minors, they become distracted by things the New Testament says nothing about. They devote most of their thought and effort to sermons, Sunday school, style of music, denominations, camps or board meetings. Those matters are not primary and will take care of themselves when what is primary is appropriately cared for. Such matters are 'vessels' but are mistaken for the 'treasure.'" (p. 162)

Asking God to help me focus on the treasure...

Tom, one of Abba's children