Church Transformation, Purpose / Mission Driven Church

[Strangelove]

Church Transformation and the Dialectic Process​

Churches on board with the church growth movement are known by different names. Some are called the purpose or mission driven church. They are also called the church of the 21st century, the disciple-making church, the meta-church, and the cell church. Churches that have been subverted by stealth may not be called by any of these names. They may simply be called “community†churches.

Those who are calling for church “transformation†use a variety of terms to make their case. Some claim there is a “need for a second reformation.†Others say that the church “needs to return to the first century church model.†Still others may refer to this church transformation as a needed “paradigm shift†for the church.

In order for the church to merge into Satan’s new world order, agents of transformation must “facilitate†a total transformation of the church. This total church transformation incorporates three general levels of transformation. Change agents working within the churches desire to facilitate a personal transformation of individual church members. They desire a transformation of the church structure away from its traditional biblical model toward a cell or small group church model. And they desire to transform the church’s function so that it will be suited for service within the [Peter Drucker] 3-legged stool (getting the churches to “partner†with the government and business sectors).

How will the transformation of individual church members be accomplished? Change agents within the church have laid a transformational trap for the membership. The plan calls for Christians, as well as community members (diversity), to be seduced into this trap by appealing to their “felt†needs (their “social needs†and not their “spiritual needsâ€). The plan also calls for creating an “environment†that will enable or “facilitate†the satisfaction of those needs.

The transformational trap laid by change agents is called the dialectic process. The environment created to facilitate the satisfaction of those “felt†needs centers on the dynamic of the small group or team, each lead by a leader/change agent. This change agent-led small group or team functions within an environment of “team-building†and TQM [Total Quality Management]. The dialectic process is the basis of TQM.

The purpose of the group dialectic process is to change the minds and behavior of the participating group members to an outcome pre-determined by the group leader/facilitator. Group members will arrive at this pre-determined outcome (group consensus) through dialogue and by peer pressure facilitated by the group leader. Fearing alienation from the group will cause group members to compromise their position (standards, beliefs) for social harmony. A seeker friendly “ministry†insures that these groups will be diverse (having a mixture of believer and unbeliever). As believers are pressured to reach consensus with unbelievers for relationship building, then God’s Word will be increasingly compromised as the group process repeats itself. When the believer (thesis) reaches consensus with the unbeliever (anti-thesis), then the resulting compromise (synthesis) will be the new thesis for the next group meeting. The end result of this facilitator-led group consensus process will be group member behavioral change and transformation. As group members are transformed and become change agents, they will repeat the process by forming and leading their own groups to compromise and consensus. In this manner, the group members will have “reproduced†themselves.

In church growth infiltrated churches, the leaders/change agents often require, by covenant (forbidden by God), that all members participate in the dialectic process as manifested in small groups. (It should be noted that many “Christians†who are church members have already been through this transformation process by their exposure to change agents, small groups, and the dialectic process at their work [TQM] or at school [OBE] or somewhere else.)

Communitarianism


Doc: Does anyone recognise this type of thing going on in their own church?

 

[handy]

It was certainly happening in our former church...so much so that when I hear words like "social justice", "community", "diversity" and "facilitate", I want to run to the hills.

Specific things in my former church:

(getting the churches to “partner†with the government and business sectors).

My former church was big into partnering with the government and it seemed as if every Synod Assembly had resolutions passed that were directed towards the government on social issues.

The environment created to facilitate the satisfaction of those “felt†needs centers on the dynamic of the small group or team, each lead by a leader/change agent.

Our church was too small for this, but participated in this sort of thing when the Synod brought in a professional "team builder" to "facilitate" "renewal". I'm putting those words in quotes so that if anyone here hears these words being used in meetings where one's church's vision or mission is being determined, recognize that you have a problem!

Fearing alienation from the group will cause group members to compromise their position (standards, beliefs) for social harmony. A seeker friendly “ministry†insures that these groups will be diverse (having a mixture of believer and unbeliever). As believers are pressured to reach consensus with unbelievers for relationship building, then God’s Word will be increasingly compromised as the group process repeats itself.

Describes my former church to a tee. This is how they came to the point of ordaining gay and lesbian ministers who are in an active relationships.

 

[jasoncran]

i am no fan of rick warren and sadly many so called christian churches are falling into that trap.

like handy i cringe at the word of social justice as that implies compromise.

for the best way to do that see the man kp yohanlon of winasia.org. he is an american-indian(not native american) that has a heart for the lost in the 10-40 corridor.

 

[Strangelove]

Let's have another look at the OP article to see how it goes into more detail about the new organizational structure that is being brought into many large churches these days:

Peter Drucker, the Kabbalah, and Total Quality Management (TQM)

Communitarians refer to the creation of a world government as the effort to create a “healthy society.†The goal of the church growth movement (CGM) is to manipulate Christians and churches into this healthy society. “Health-based†language is sometimes used in the CGM. Some church growth leaders desire “healthy churches†and “healthy congregations†made up of “healthy Christians.†A healthy church would be one in which all members are willing to compromise the Word of God for the common good.

Communitarians believe that attaining a healthy society involves the successful merger of the 3 sectors of society. It requires a merger of the government sector, the private sector (business) and the social sector (which includes the churches). This merger is also known as “Drucker’s 3-legged stool,†named after its main proponent, Peter Drucker, who is considered to be the “father of modern management.†Peter Drucker, like Amitai Etzioni, was a Communitarian and was also a student of the Kabbalah.

According to Roger Oakland’s “Bob Buford, Peter Drucker, and the Emerging Church,†Peter Drucker, like Amitai Etzioni, shared a bond with the Kabbalist, Martin Buber. Roger Oakland stated, “Drucker felt a strong bond…with a panentheist/ mystic named Martin Buber (1878-1965), who embraced the teachings of Hasidism (Jewish mysticism).†In his book, “Between Man and Man†(New York, NY: Routledge Classics, 2002, first published in 1947), p. 219, Buber states, ‘Since 1900 I had first been under the influence of German mysticism from Meister Eckhart [a mystic] ... then I had been under the influence of the later Kabalah [Jewish mysticism] and of Hasidism.’†32.

Drucker, who developed the community-based global management system, was under the influence of the Kabbalist Martin Buber, who also taught Amitai Etzioni, the Israeli Zionist Communitarian leader in the U.S. and founder of the Communitarian Network. Roger Oakland, quoting Michael Schwarz’s “Early Influences upon Peter Drucker’s Perception of ‘the Public Interest,’ stated, “Drucker was a student of Buber’s at the University of Frankfurt.†33. John E. Flaherty, author of Peter Drucker: Shaping the Managerial Mind, wrote that Drucker “[drew] upon the wisdom of the philosopher Martin Buber.†34.

Peter Drucker was very interested in getting churches involved in the implementation of the world government. Drucker, who once lamented that there were “still many unhealthy churches,†35. was not only an occultist, but an organizational guru. It was his involvement in the Jewish Kabbalah that inspired him to create an organizational model that would transform churches into agents of Satan. This organizational model today is called Total Quality Management (TQM). “Total†stands for “totalitarian.†It was Drucker’s vision that all organizations, including church organizations, within the 3-legged stool (Communitarian system) be run on TQM. He considered churches not conformed to this TQM model to be “still unhealthy.â€

Today, Drucker’s vision has become reality as organizations across all 3 sectors of society have been conformed to a TQM-style organizational model. This organizational model is called Total Quality Leadership in the military, Community Oriented Policing (COPS) or DARE in civilian law enforcement, Outcome-Based Education (OBE), and School to Work (STW) in politics.

Perhaps the main organization manipulating the churches into this Communitarian partnership (New World Order) is the Leadership Network (www.leadnet.org). The Leadership Network was founded by an entrepreneur named Bob Buford. Buford also founded the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management (now called The Leader to Leader Institute). In the dedication to his book, “Halftimeâ€, Buford referred to Drucker as “the man who formed my mind.†36. The Leadership Network is in the business of marketing and promoting church growth. The Leadership Network trains church leaders how to implement congregational transformation. “The Mission of the Leadership Network is to ‘Accelerate the emergence of the 21st-century church,’ and that the (emerging) ‘paradigm (of the 21st century church) is not centered in theology, but rather it is focused on structure, organization, and the transition from an institutionally based church to a mission-driven church.’†37. Listed among the recent contributors to The Leadership Network is the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund. 38.

The TQM-style model has been adopted in varying degrees by all churches that have been infiltrated by the church growth movement. This is a major step toward conforming the churches to the standards required by the “Healthy Society.†For example, the First Korean United Methodist Church of Kentucky’s (FKUMC) website states, “FKUMC is dedicated to maximizing the growth of its members through productivity, training, teamwork and total quality management.†39.

The TQM organizational model in the churches is a transformational process or change process which utilizes group peer pressure to conform the church members to the goals (purpose, mission, vision) of the church leadership.

Communitarianism

Doc:

I wonder if I can find some mainline church websites where we can see similar language to Peter Drucker's kabbalhic church transformation TQM model?

Hmmmmm.....investigating.....

 

[Strangelove]

Heres a typical example of a mission statement on a cell church website:​

What Motivates Us?

Every individual or organization is motivated by things they value. We believe that as a church, we will accomplish our mission as we live out our values. As a church we value: <O:p></O:p>​

• A Passion for God Demonstrated by Prayer - Worship - Fasting - Faith - Word - Obedience <O:p></O:p>​
• Servant Leadership <O:p></O:p>​
• Loving People <O:p></O:p>​
• The Family <O:p></O:p>​
• Holiness <O:p></O:p>​
• God's Authority Structure <O:p></O:p>​
• Disciple Making <O:p></O:p>​
• Unity <O:p></O:p>​
• Priesthood of Believers <O:p></O:p>​
• God's Power ​

The things that stick out here I’ve bolded in red. Servant leadership sounds like it should be fairly straightforward. The leader should be a servant to the flock and to Christ. And yet the people I’ve talked to from cell churches seem to be very eager to point to their position as being under the authority of their leaders. This may point to ‘servant leadership’ as used in these churches being more of a business term for equipping and training someone in the skill of ‘leadership training’ so that they themselves can go out and train other leaders.

Also, what is God's authority structure? We are under the authority of and accountable to God. Whats the rest of the structure?​

Let’s take another look at our communitarian essay:​

Leadership Training​

How did TQM and the group dialectic process get into the churches? It entered from “leaders†who had already been transformed and trained as change agents during “leadership training†and “leadership development†as taught by universities, seminaries and organizations like the Peter Drucker inspired Leadership Network. ​

In church growth organizations, the terms “leader,†“leadership,†“leadership training†and “leadership development†are often used. The Leadership Network trains leaders to transform churches. The Peter F. Drucker Foundation is now called the Leader to Leader Institute. Peter Drucker envisioned the church as the main provider of “Leadership Training†(which is change agent training) for the social sector of his 3-legged stool. ​

Sometimes a leader/change agent in church growth organizations will be referred to as a “servant leader.†A “servant leader†isn’t called this name because he serves Christ. The term “servant leader†is a business organizational term. On one website, it states, “One of our reasons for being at facilitatoru.com is to assist the transition in Leadership from Command and Control to Servant Leadership.†To “equip†a “servant leader†is to train him in “leadership training.†​

The following examples show that leadership training can be change agent/facilitator training. A church website states, “…we the leadership team would be the first Learning Community facilitators.†53. Another website says that their “Personal Transformation Leadership Training†leads you to become a “Personal Transformation Intensive Facilitator.†54. An education website describes “The ‘Leadership training’ weekend, in which educators are certified as volunteer facilitators…†55. The same website states, “Facilitator training is also known as leadership training…Leadership training is a weekend training program that certifies participants to become Project WILD facilitators.†56. Another webpage states, “Leadership training consists of learning from the best-experienced, seasoned facilitators.†57. A future change agent may want to enroll in “101 Leadership Training for Facilitators at Yale.†58. ​

In church growth organizations, leadership training means change agent training. Men are “transformed†into change agents through the process called “leadership training.†“Leadership development†refers to the process of learning the skills of a group change agent. Leadership development is change agent training which takes place in small groups. ​

The following example from an internet site illustrates the deceptive nature and purpose of leadership development. The following quote is from a report titled, Leadership Development Program Serves As a Change Agent in Community Development: “Although community residents MAY NOT REALIZE IT [emphasis added], individuals participating in the BOLD Leadership Development Program became change agents and they are on a journey that many others have traveled to improve their community.†59. Just as these community residents may not have realized that this leadership development program was change agent training (brainwashing), Christians participating in leadership development and leadership training also may not be aware that they are being brainwashed and transformed for “community service†(to affect social change in the community).​

And sure enough, if we delve a little further on this cell church website, we find leadership training opportunities:

continued>>>>​

 

[Strangelove]

From same cell church website:

School of Leaders ​

At (church name), we believe that Christians are called to impact their communities and families with the Gospel of Christ. Each of us is called to show God’s love in a real way in our day to day lives.

The School of Leaders exists to help each person grow in maturity and faith, and to become a disciple maker for Christ. We believe that loving God and loving people is the true essence of the Christian life and our desire is that each believer continue to increase in faith as they act upon the principles imparted during the School of Leaders.​

Each class takes place on Wednesday evenings from 8-9pm at """""" Christian Assembly.
Success in the School of Leaders is measured in a number of ways:​

- Spiritual Growth and Character Development.
- Growth in the Biblical vision of winning souls, caring for people and making disciples.
- Academics: Attendance, class participation, book reading and reports.​

How Do I get Involved? ​

Any person desiring to participate in the School of Leaders:​

- Must have received Jesus Christ as saviour and Lord
- Must be consistently walking with God through personal prayer and Bible reading
- Must faithfully attend church services and be a part of a cell group
- Must have successfully completed the Post Encounter, Church Life and Foundations Classes.
- Must be a member of church name
- Must be committed to and growing in the vision of (church name).
- Must love people and have a desire to become a cell leader​

Anyone desiring to participate in the School of Leaders needs to complete and submit an application form. All applications are reviewed and final acceptance is determined by the Pastors of (church name). After you have submitted your application, you will be contacted by a member of the Pastoral staff to discuss your application and confirm your acceptance. You can download an application by clicking on the link below. You can submit your application at the information centre or through the offering. Be advised that your applications may be refused if handed in after the registration deadline.​

So we see some extremely shaky reason for needing to train up leaders..i.e. 'disciple-making' and 'growing in maturity and faith'. We see that what the pastors want in their potential leaders is to be committed to and growing in the vision of this particular church and its leaders. I'll get into 'vision casting' in a later post. Also applicants need to have completed previous courses and obviously already be part of a cell group.​

 

[Alabaster]

Putting your own personal spin on things is not conducive to encouraging people in the faith.

The School of Leaders is for those who want to lead in the context of the actual local church itself. You cannot lead if you aren't faithful and invested in it.

 

[Strangelove]

Putting your own personal spin on things is not conducive to encouraging people in the faith.

LOLZ! Does that mean I'm not allowed to voice my own opinions? Have my own thoughts? And reprint the thoughts of others in essay form? Should I just stick to the spin of the church 'vision'? Would that be more conducive?

The School of Leaders is for those who want to lead in the context of the actual local church itself. You cannot lead if you aren't faithful and invested in it.

Agreed. For example if I suddenly came to you're cell church and enrolled in the school of leaders, not being properly alligned to the churches 'vision' by way of cell group programming previous....it would be a....uhm.....DISASTER for the church.

 

[Nick]

Does anyone recognise this type of thing going on in their own church?

No. and I haven't personally come in contact with it.

What would you call the characteristics of a "mission driven church"? That term could mean a lot of things.

Reformation is only needed when churches stray from the Bible.

 

[Alabaster]

Agreed. For example if I suddenly came to you're cell church and enrolled in the school of leaders, not being properly alligned to the churches 'vision' by way of cell group programming previous....it would be a....uhm.....DISASTER for the church.

You would have to be a member to be considered a candidate for the School of Leaders.

At this point, you wouldn't qualify for membership.

 

[Nick]

You would have to be a member to be considered a candidate for the School of Leaders.

At this point, you wouldn't qualify for membership.

Agreed.

Alabaster, you seem more aquainted with the School of Leaders than I am. So can you explain what it is? Is it like an elder kind of position?

 

[Alabaster]

Agreed.

Alabaster, you seem more aquainted with the School of Leaders than I am. So can you explain what it is? Is it like an elder kind of position?

I went through the course, and it is available to our members who want to go all out for God with their lives. Period. It is a course of study our cell leaders are required to take to equip them for leadership. But any believer who wants to serve God and be a strong light to the world, leading people to Christ, will gain valuable knowledge by this study.

 

[Nick]

I went through the course, and it is available to our members who want to go all out for God with their lives. Period. It is a course of study our cell leaders are required to take to equip them for leadership. But any believer who wants to serve God and be a strong light to the world, leading people to Christ, will gain valuable knowledge by this study.

That sounds heaps good. I think we have a similar kind of course at our church, which I am attending in January. It's a ministry conference, which covers many aspects of theology and equips people for Christian ministry-type things, such as childrens ministry, work ministry etc. It's a great way to grow, serve and learn how to lead.

 

[Alabaster]

That sounds heaps good. I think we have a similar kind of course at our church, which I am attending in January. It's a ministry conference, which covers many aspects of theology and equips people for Christian ministry-type things, such as childrens ministry, work ministry etc. It's a great way to grow, serve and learn how to lead.

Amen...and blessings to you as you endeavour to serve God with all you've got!

 

[Nick]

Amen...and blessings to you as you endeavour to serve God with all you've got!

Thanks!

 

[Strangelove]

No. and I haven't personally come in contact with it.

What would you call the characteristics of a "mission driven church"? That term could mean a lot of things.

Reformation is only needed when churches stray from the Bible.

I would say 'mission driven' means churches that are driven by issues other than the simple Gospel message. Like social issues, politics, community issues, lifestyle etc.

So yes...churches that stray from the bible and become overly involved with worldly matters.

 

[Strangelove]

You would have to be a member to be considered a candidate for the School of Leaders.

At this point, you wouldn't qualify for membership.

Obviously.

Have you been through a leadership course?

 

[Nick]

I would say 'mission driven' means churches that are driven by issues other than the simple Gospel message. Like social issues, politics, community issues, lifestyle etc.

So yes...churches that stray from the bible and become overly involved with worldly matters.

I agree. I don't think those things (social issues, politics, community issues, lifestyles etc) are wrong to be in the presence of the church, but the focus needs to be on the Bible.

 

[Strangelove]

I went through the course, and it is available to our members who want to go all out for God with their lives. Period. It is a course of study our cell leaders are required to take to equip them for leadership. But any believer who wants to serve God and be a strong light to the world, leading people to Christ, will gain valuable knowledge by this study.

To “equip†a “servant leader†is to train him in “leadership training.â€

In church growth organizations, leadership training means change agent training. Men are “transformed†into change agents through the process called “leadership training.†“Leadership development†refers to the process of learning the skills of a group change agent. Leadership development is change agent training which takes place in small groups. ​

 

[Alabaster]

Obviously.

Have you been through a leadership course?

See post #12.