This is something I’ve thought about quite a bit in regards to leading our church. What do we want our church to be like in 10 years?

For the months of September and October, I met with our church leadership team and then our church body on a weekly basis to hammer through some of these things.

As I’ve thought about this question, I keep coming back to the underground church. While so many churches are trying to become more like Willow Creek, or Saddleback, or North Point…I think the underground church even better exemplifies the kind of church Jesus desires.

Why?

I think the underground church relies more on the Holy Spirit, because it doesn’t have so many resources at its disposal like the American church has. Yet it seems like churches in the US are in a rat race to obtain more and more resources–bigger buildings, larger crowds, better giving. How is the underground church able to grow so exponentially w/out any buildings, paid staff, large crowds, or enormous giving?

I think the underground church could care less about talent and cares more about spirituality. I keep seeing over and over how our churches in America crave talent. We want someone super-talented to work with kids or youth. Someone super-talented to lead worship. Someone super-talented to preach on Sundays. I think this is one of the worst trappings we find ourselves dealing with in America. First, it eliminates 98% of our congregations from leading ministries (and we wonder why so few are involved in our churches). Second, it infers that we rely on man’s abilities far more than God’s. Gone are the days of Paul, when he’d rather come in weakness, boast about his weaknesses, and ridicule riches, persuasive words, or talents.

I think those who are involved in underground churches are more devoted to Christ than our congregations are. Because they follow Christ at the risk of their own lives, there is an authenticity to their faith. I am sure that when it’s praise and worship time, they press in (even though the music sucks or is completely absent). When it’s time to hear Scripture, they’re all ears (even if it’s the same passage over and over, because they don’t own a complete Bible). People who are showing up are doing so for the right reasons. And it isn’t a game. This is a real faith.

I have to believe that there’s true fellowship between believers in the underground church. Here in the U.S., I think we substitute genuine fellowship for programs. We’re good at creating new programs, but very poor at developing spiritual fellowship. Paul prayed that He might know the “fellowship of Christ’s sufferings.” Perhaps when you suffer for Christ, genuine fellowship is no longer an option, but a necessity. We, on the other hand, are trying to make Christianity as comfortable and appealing as we can make it to the masses. Programs will suffice.

I could list other reasons why I think the underground church seems to be more biblical, transformational, and appealing to me. The problem I wrestle with is that all I’ve known is the American church. While I have despised many things about it, it’s where I’ve always operated and lived. As a result, I keep finding myself resorting to its model when I don’t mean to.

In addition, I still have fear about casting aside the way in which our churches operate. Part of me thinks it’s suicide. I hear people’s voices in my head: “You’ll never grow a church that way!” Or “You’re just being idealistic.”

Isn’t that what it means to be a person of faith? To put aside what people say is realistic and believe God for the impossible? To see if He’ll really come through? Is there really a Holy Spirit? Is He really all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-resourceful? Are His gifts not enough? Can He really show up without us manufacturing something? Can He not do what the Bible claims?

What would a church look like in America, if it’s end-goal was to be more like the underground church instead of the successful church down the street? I don’t think I can answer that question fully, which is why I keep thinking about it. Would it necessarily have to be a small church? What would it be like to be part of a church like the underground church, but right here in the States? How different would it be from all other churches around it? How powerful and precious would it be?