During the lifetime of Jesus, the majority of people on the planet were unaware of either his existence or his teaching. Even within his own culture the significance of his presence was not fully understood.
In stark contrast to this are the usual markers of church success in a charismatic and Pentecostal context. The goal seems to be distinction, size, excellence, and popular fashion. Churches are counted as successful if they are growing numerically and produce presentational excellence; with large screens, P.A. systems, and lights. Added to this is the regular challenge for individuals to be distinct from the world around them.
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This may not be true of all, or even most of the charismatic and Pentecostal churches in the UK, but when one considers the influence that the larger churches have upon the rest, we would do well to recognise the aspirational nature of this context. The language, markers, models, processes, and visions of the larger churches are presented as the gold standard in many quarters. One might conclude that mega churches tend to be a kind of 'anti-Antioch church' in the sense that they are receivers of gifted people rather than senders of them. In terms of a business model it is not one that can be reproduced by smaller local churches. The through-put of talent in some larger churches is generated by conferences, internships, and academies. Smaller churches do not have this talent pool available to them.
The pressure on many church leaders is to produce an alternative to the culture within which they work; rather than an antidote to it. Church youth clubs are funded rather than supporting existing local community ventures. Departments and programmes become feeder routes leading toward the centre; the church congregation.
In contrast to this, I would like to suggest that the incarnation is more about immersion within the community rather than separation from it. Perhaps building bridges rather than walls represents the way of Christ.
The gospel message in the usual context sounds like an invitation for those ‘outside’ to come ‘inside’ and become like us. An incarnational message is more about a journey taken by the church towards the community.
There are other models that leaders might prefer by which to run and measure their churches: army, family, tribe, nation, city. All of them have their place, but I would suggest that we would do well to see our starting point as being the incarnation.
If our model of church relies upon the gifts and talents of people from other congregations it cannot be seen as easily replicable
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