Makeover - church edition

The popular TV series "Extreme Makeover - Home Edition" focuses on assisting a deserving family in the remodeling or renovation of their home by a team of professionals and celebrities. For example, an episode I saw recently featured a family in which a young daughter (a twin) was suffering severe respiratory problems because of contamination in the construction of their mobile home. In the series, the family is often given a free week's vacation to Disneyworld or somewhere, and upon their return, their home is completely 'made over.' Invariably it's a heart-warming story, and there are some practical tips for home repair and improvement as well.

In their book Simple Church, Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger suggest that many Christian congregations could benefit from 'extreme makeover - church edition.' They note that frequently congregations can get bogged down in so many varied activities that they can lose sight of their true purpose -- enabling people to connect with the grace of God. Of course a vacation to Disneyworld isn't part of the mix for a congregation seeking to re-think and re-construct its life of mission and service! Congregational renewal is a lot like remodeling your home while living in it, according to Alban Institute consultants Dan Smith and Mary Sellon. It's messy! It takes longer than you think it will. And often it costs at least twice as much as you planned! And we aren't just talking dollars.

Church make-over is hard work. But to re-focus on what God is calling the church to be and do, and to bring all activities and ministries in line with that calling, results in a "church home" that is a place of genuine spiritual nurture, loving service and empowered witness.