Why Low Expectations Cheat Our Church Members
By Trevin Wax on Nov 10, 2009 in Church Issues | 
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Last summer, my parents introduced me and my wife to a European board game called The Settlers of Catan. This award-winning game has become wildly popular, especially among college students.
But Settlers is hard to play. The game is expensive. The rules are complicated. Each game requires more than an hour.
To do well, you must master the art of trade, strategic planning, anticipation of loss, and clever surprise. The game is difficult, but people can’t get enough of it.
For most, the difficulty is the draw.
In recent years, we have seen a number of TV dramas that eschew the traditional formula that leads to a neat resolution by the end of each episode. Instead, shows like Lost and 24 demand that the viewer stick with the program for its entire run.
Plot lines have become complicated, introducing dozens of main characters and a story line that taxes the memory and the stamina of the viewer. And yet, these shows are rated highly each year and have garnered millions of fans.
Is it not odd that the entertainment industry (whether through board games or television shows) is seeing success when it places high demands on the consumer? Fans of Lost talk about how nice it is to watch a show that actually expects something of the audience. Fans of Catan
What can the church learn from this?
Maybe our expectations are too low.
In most churches, membership requires little more than a public declaration of faith and a quick trip through the baptistery. After meeting these requirements, members hear vague notions about being involved in stewardship, discipleship, and service.
But usually, there are no consequences for members who rarely attend or participate in anything. The Rotary will kick you out if you don’t attend meetings or pay your dues, but many churches won’t even communicate specific expectations, much less establish consequences if those expectations are not met.
Perhaps we are cheating church members.
We assume that most church members won’t evangelize, so we’re happy to stick with the very few who understand the mandate.
We assume that most church members will not get involved in a demanding Bible study, so we water down our teaching to appeal to the masses.
We assume that many church members will never tithe or give of their time in service to the community for the glory of our King, so we budget accordingly.
At best, we hope that people will act on our suggestions.
Our churches don’t know what they’re missing:
- The thrill of leading someone to Christ.
- The excitement of discovering God within the pages of his Word.
- The satisfaction of making an impact in the community in the name of Christ.
- The joy of giving cheerfully to the local church.
There are plenty of simple TV shows out there. There are plenty of simple card games. But winning Uno does not give one the satisfaction that winning Catan
The higher the demands, the higher the payoff.
As Christians, we tell a Story much more engaging than any TV show. We live in a fallen world where the stakes are much higher than any board game. Our expectations should be high because of the transformational power of the gospel.
Perhaps we should stop designing worship services, discipleship programs, and youth events for the “average Christian” (aka – the Christian we don’t expect anything out of). Instead, let’s refocus on our church covenants and clearly communicate the expectations for being a disciple in the kingdom of God.
We receive little because we expect little. And church leaders, church members, and especially a lost world – we all miss out because of our low expectations.
© Copyright by Trevin Wax | Print This Post | Share (Twitter, Email, Facebook)
Wow! Congratulation on such a gutsy post. To me you are right on point. My church is probably typical of most in that about 10% of the members contribute 50% of the money, time and talents provided to do God’s work. As you indicate we have set the bar far too low on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
RJ | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
Totally agree with you. I was actually excited to go to a new church that had a new members class to learn exactly what the church believes and requires of its members. We had to sign a church covenant. We also had to be able to tell about our faith and be able to share the gospel with others.
Sylvia | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
I wonder if a “technical” series of classes would work if offered at church. Maybe offer a series of classes on apologetics or hermeneutics and see how members react.
I would like to see every church member read J.P. Moreland’s Love God With All Your Mind.
Chuck | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
Excellent post!
Justin | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
Excellent! Bookmarking this illustration to use in our membership class. Thanks, Trevin.
Dan Sudfeld | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
While it’s true that the gospel is simple enough that a child can understand and receive it (I’m a sinner in need of a saviour, Jesus, the sinless Son of God, died in my place to pay for my sins and make me right with God), too often we let people stay children in regards to their understanding of the faith.
While not everyone can be expected to handle seminary-level theological discussions, we whould encourage those who are capable and have inclination to deep thought to apply that to thinking deeply about the things of God.
Like Ed Stetzer says, if you can learn to order a coffee at Starbucks, you can learn theological terms in church.
Brian Roden | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
Brian – funny
When I go into Starbucks, I still can’t order correctly.
I still say large or medium and with milk or whatever.
There needs to be an instruction manual at the door.
(sorry a little off topic,)
-Chuck
Chuck | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
Donald Miller’s new book adds an interesting perspective to this idea. He says that we are all a part of a story and what makes a story good is that we face conflict willingly because conflict is part of the journey. We must have an end in mind (which Christians do) and we must engage conflict willingly if it furthers our “story”.
joey | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
It’s about time! Thank you for a thoughtful, but simple presentation of the concept of Christian responsibility. We have truly become a collection of wimps. God help us garner the faith and strength of the truth and “quit (ourselves) like men!”
Edgar Foster | Nov 30, 2009 | Reply
I think the breakdown is in discipleship and accountability. If you and your friend are a fan of Lost, you might ask, “Did you see Lost last night? Blah, blah, blah.” Honestly, I can’t tell you the last time someone asked me, “Did you read your Bible yesterday? What have you been seeking the Lord for in prayer?” Just a thought. . .
Carrie | Nov 30, 2009 | Reply
Carrie,
That’s a good point. Accountability is what we need. Unfortunately, some people really don’t want to be held accountable or to hold others accountable. Yet a life of discipleship needs to have this aspect.
Trevin Wax | Nov 30, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article. Right now our church is focusing on “Worship and Work”. Our philosophy has always been that “every member is a minister” but we’re headed into a season where we’re going to be putting it into real action.
Dave Carrol | Dec 1, 2009 | Reply
As a composer and a lover of well-crafted music of any kind, I also see this trend of “comfortableness” in the majority of church music today. The idea that singing repetitive text, insipid melodic motifs, and words without musical notation are what “the masses want” is a travesty against the glorious gift of music to us. I used to enjoy the music in church, used to be inspired by the quality of the melodic line and the depth of the text, but now I just endure that part of the service. I’m not advocating dumping all praise and worship songs and going back to hymns – I am longing to hear music that’s well-crafted both musically and textually. Music is not about personal “taste,” rather it’s about discovering this powerful gift of God.
Tammy Waldrop | Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
Thanks you for your challenge. I am afraid that you hit the mark all too accurately. I often wonder what would happen if we simply expected a new Christian to read through the Bible and expected him to understand it. I suspect many more would rise to the challenge than we might think. Your illustrations are very helpful in making your point. I invite you and your readers to visit the Christian Apologetics Blog at http://www.mychristianapologetics.com/
Blessings,
Arnie Gentile
Arnie Gentile | Dec 3, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the challenge. In sermon two weeks ago, we were told to understand how hard it is for the music director to schedule twenty minutes of various song styles to please all the different personalities of the congregation, so that the person sitting next to us “gets” how to worship. I saw another article that used the term “Worship-tainment”.
Why have churches become so culture catered? In this media saturated, low attention-span society, would it be too much to ask for Pastors to ‘Be still and know that He is God’ by teaching people how to stop, quietly pray and give God some reverence and thanks for Jesus during communion?
w w | Dec 5, 2009 | Reply