The Five Killer Bs

by William Cowles

I love Rev. Dan Dick’s insight on the question: “So, just what IS the current reality of our local churches?” His insight keys off the three “Big Bs” – Belief, Behavior, and Belonging – and what happens when they are not well-integrated or aligned in a church. He concludes his thought-provoking assessment with: 

“When the three Bs of Belief, Behavior, and Belonging integrate fully, by the miracle and grace of the Holy Spirit a new “B” emerges — Body — the very Body of Christ.  This isn’t as hard as we are making it out to be. . . There is nothing new here; nothing earth-shaking.  But it is a nice way to envision where we may have strayed from the path, and what we might do to journey toward integrity.” *

Similarly, Diana Butler Bass expands on the same three-B framework to unpack “A New Vision” for Christ-followers in her recently released book, Christianity After Religion. She recounts the history, politics, economics, sociology, philosophy, and theology behind the failure of the current church to be relevant, and names another “B” – “Business” – as a parallel model:

“Like the corporations that once brought life to cities like Saginaw but now struggle to stay in business and face difficult economic times, so too organized religion is facing a tough spiritual climate. The religious model that once worked so well serving to educate, spiritually enliven, and socially elevate so many does not accomplish those goals any longer.” **

As much as I agree, I’d suggest yet another “B” that pastors and church leaders need to bring to the forefront if those four fabulous Bs are ever going to have life. My “B” is for Boldness, and it goes beyond observation, analysis, and perspective – it calls for action.

Too many church pastors and leaders are trapped in their comfort zones – afraid to rock the boats lest they lose members, leaders, and – shudder – giving! They are so concerned with maintaining calm, they lose sight of the boldness that kick-started the church in the first place. Our Christian heritage was built on boldness. It has been the boldness of leaders such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, Martin Luther King, Billy Graham, and Bill Hybels, who have advanced the movement, mission, and ministries of our churches. They had vision, and they had the courage to be bold about their visions.

All of the theologians, academics, shirtsleeve intellectuals, and denominational thought leaders agree that Christian churches are desperately in need of a makeover. It’s time to be bold in our belief, bold in our behaving, bold in our belonging, and really bold about creating a successful “business” model for our churches.

* Check out Dan Dick’s United Methodeviations “B Church” blog posted March 24. http://doroteos2.com/2013/03/24/b-church/

** Get a copy of “Christianity After Religion” at: http://www.amazon.com/Christianity-After-Religion-Spiritual-Awakening/dp/0062003747/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364671190&sr=1-1&keywords=christianity+after+religion