2 of 7 of the series Crumple Zones. To follow the entire series visit my blog at www.churchdoctalk.com.

It’s a basic question: what are you doing and why are you doing it? Understanding the coexistence of what and why is vital to the health of your church.

Why: The primary purpose of the church. According to Scripture it’s to make disciples.

What: The things you do to accomplish the primary purpose - worship style, people, programs, etc.

The Coexistence of What and Why: When the primary purpose and the things you are doing to accomplish the primary purpose travel a parallel path.

This church is characterized with an overall sense of satisfaction. There is a tangible buzz created by the activities. However, while there is the perception of unity, everyone is not on the same page.

Some people attend because they like the “why”: Reaching people, and making disciples.

Others attend because they like the “what”: Worship style, programs, etc.

Building the Crumple Zone:

1) Understand the dynamics of what and why.
2) Never underestimate the reality of perceived unity when two different mindsets travel parallel paths

3) Continually teach the Biblical primary purpose - to make disciples.

4) Teach that making disciples requires Christians to subordinate their comfort for the sake of the gospel

5) Most importantly: teach that while the Gospel never changes - methods must in order to reach different cultures and generations.

Why is this important? Because eventually what and why will collide.

–end–