Three-Dimensional Churches
In my previous blog post, “Living in Three Dimensions,” we noted that Jesus oriented His life around 3 relational dimensions. Luke 6:12-19 records them:
First of all, JESUS LOOKED UP. This speaks to His relationship with His Father. The key to Jesus’ fruitfulness was His commitment to this vertical dimension.
Secondly, JESUS INVITED OTHERS IN. He invited a select group to spend time with Him and learn from Him. This gave Jesus a spiritual family. But there was a purpose behind this beyond fellowship. He was preparing them to live on mission.
Finally, JESUS REACHED OUT. Jesus never lost sight of the Father’s vision and mission to reach out to a lost and broken world. He didn’t simply wait for the lost to come to Him (though many did); He went out to them. In fact, He often went out of the way to get to them.
You can picture this as a triangle.
We’re called to walk as Jesus walked. That being the case, as Jesus lived a three-dimensional life, so we are to live three-dimensional lives.
As with individuals, so churches also should operate strongly in all three dimensions.
They should have a vibrant UP, engaging in a passionate response in worship and reflective obedience to the Word.
They should have a robust IN, characterized by a deep sense of community where fellowship is realized and needs are met.
They should have a strong commitment to OUT, where attenders see themselves as missionaries to their neighborhoods and networks.
However, just as individuals tend to be stronger in one area or another – good at UP but not so good at IN or good at IN but not so good at OUT – so churches have relative strengths and weaknesses.
This may be a function of the church’s denominational affiliation. It could also be a function of history or tradition.
But it will also be a function of its leader. That being the case, where you are weak in a particular dimension, you will bring that into your church culture.
Here’s a sampling of churches and their relative strengths and weaknesses:
UP AND INNERS
Churches of this kind highly value the worship experience. Rather than the music being a “set up” for the message, there is high value placed upon the Spirit moving through the whole service.
There is an openness to individuals regularly hearing from God. Not only what He might be saying to them, but what He would have them do in light of that.
UP and IN churches often emphasize the gifts and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Intercessory prayer for deliverance and healing is important.
These churches also, typically, do a good job of building community. Small groups take what was experienced in the corporate gathering into more intimate settings. Bible study (UP) and fellowship (IN) go hand in hand.
The challenge for these churches is that they often have very weak OUT elements. While they enjoy what goes on behind church walls, there is no strategy for reaching beyond the church walls.
Public services can be confusing to visitors (when they do come). Small groups are often “closed” to newcomers, lest the intimacy be compromised.
Up and In churches value worship, prayer, and building a sense of family, but have no strategy for reaching beyond the church walls.
UP AND OUTERS
Churches along these lines often have a very high view of Scripture – especially the call to reach out. As a result, there are witnessing seminars and outreach campaigns (“Each one reach one!”).
Overseas missions receive major support. Often, individuals will take vacation time to go on missions trips.
The challenge for these churches is that it’s hard to get connected relationally. Small groups and Sunday School classes (if they exist) are usually places where there is more Bible study. Duty is rightly emphasized, but there are no vehicles where outreach can be done in community.
Without a place where living missionally can be shared and modeled, evangelistic efforts appear out of reach. And when people do come to faith, there is no place where they can become folded into the family and further discipled.
Up and Out churches have a high view of Scripture and emphasize missions and outreach, but they lack vehicles for connection and discipleship.
IN AND OUTERS
These are often older, mainstream churches found in the heart of the city. People who are a part of these assemblies see the needs of the hurting and hopeless all around them.
They look to reach out and welcome in those in their community. Soup kitchens, AA groups, literacy classes, etc. are offered.
The challenge for these churches is that they often ignore the need for passionate prayer and intimate worship. Both are typically rote in nature, mere tack-ons.
As a result, supernatural power is often absent. And spiritual conversions are infrequent.
In and Out churches see the needs of their community and seek to meet them, welcoming others in, but spiritual power is often absent and conversions are infrequent.
How about your context?
Take a moment to consider your church as a whole, assigning numbers (1-10) on each element of the triangle.
Where is it strong – and how can that be leveraged?
Where is it weak – and how can that be addressed?
Do the same when evaluating ministries within your church.
How would you evaluate your Men’s Group or Women’s Group or Youth Group?
How would you evaluate your Sunday School Classes?
How would you evaluate your Small Groups?
Take this information and ponder it for a bit.
What do you think God might be saying to you about this?
What do you think He would want you to do about it?
What are some “next steps” you can take regarding making your church more balanced in its UP, IN, and OUT?
Related Blog Posts:
Living in Three Dimensions
Discipleship Distilled Down
Live It Before You Lead It
What Your Job Is Not…And What It Is
All shapes used in this study are copyrighted as the intellectual property of 3DM and can be found in:
Breen, M. (2016) Building a Discipling Culture, 3rd Edition, Pawleys Island: 3DM Publishing.
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