Q: Regarding environments of
grace, our society often promotes "tolerance" as not just tolerating
something different, but accepting and affirming it as OK. What are
some similarities and differences between American "tolerance" and
biblical "grace"?
A: Great question. You intuit, quite rightly, that there is a difference.
Think
of the difference in this way: Tolerance is seen as acceptance.
Whatever you do, whatever you're into, "It's cool." I won't tell you
how to live. You don't tell me how to live. I will not ask you to
change your behavior in any way. Biblical grace is radical acceptance
too. Actually, biblical grace is the most radical acceptance ever. It
is complete acceptance of every aspect of the whole person - and
nothing a person has ever done can separate them from the love of God
in Christ Jesus. I think it can be argued that "American Tolerance" as
you call it, is really a superficial acceptance whereas God's grace is
a full out radical no-holds-barred crazy acceptance.
But -
let's get back to the implication of your question, and here where the
difference gets really big. In biblical grace, at the moment of
salvation, the process of sanctification (or growth) begins.
The
way that John Burke answers that question in his book, "No Perfect
People". One of the phrases Gateway Community Church is known for is "Come as you are." Their next phrase they often tag with is it is "But
don't stay that way." There is a great section from page 100: "Of
course, the big argument against taking the risk of accepting everyone
with open arms - they might not change! The may misunderstand our
acceptance as agreement with beliefs and behaviors God would not agree
with. If we accept others, are we accepting wrong behavior and
therefore condoning things god clearly says are against his will -
sinful." And later, he says, "People will misunderstand acceptance as
agreement. But it's still worth the risk. If God is willing to take
that risk, shouldn't we be willing?"
As Christians, we
accept but don't necessarily agree. We tolerate - but call people to
consider the Holy Spirit's desire that they change. Perhaps a new
believer won't change the behavior that we see as most "sinful" first.
Perhaps they will change other behaviors that to them are more
problematic. But we need to trust that the Holy Spirit will eventually
convict them and lead them to truth. As leaders, we create the
environment for growth but God will actually cause the growth.
Q: How do you balance building a community of grace and maintaining the requirements for leadership in the church?
A:
I really like the way that John addressed the need for the church, in
the post-modern reality, to have wide-open doors and the desire to "get
messy" to bring the message of Christ to this generation.
However, wise leadership WILL NOT COMPROMISE
when maintaining high standards for leadership within the church. If
you take shortcuts - or allow someone to enter into leadership before
they are fully on the path of fulfilling the biblical requirements of
leadership, the chances that you will pay for that decision are quite
high. Particularly in the arena of character.
One of the
Axioms from Bill Hybels book is "Hire Tens". He says, "Embolden your
staff members to grow their own leadership and then to shoot high when
someone needs to be added to the team. Encourage them to go after the
brightest, most accomplished, most effective leaders they can. In so
doing, you will continually upgrade your organization's leadership
capabilities. "One other Axiom is "The Three Cs". He says, "I tried all
sorts of mental grids for prioritizing people-qualities along the way,
but the only one that stuck was made up of three simple Cs: character,
competence and chemistry."
I refer you to this resource for additional wisdom in selecting leaders - while maintaining an "come as you are culture."
- The WCA Team