The idea of “recruiting to the community, not the role” as hinted at in this article apparently hit a bit of a chord. There’s been some discussion on Twitter and Facebook. On Facebook, Mark Stephan wrote:

I really liked the article, and I absolutely believe Protestant Mission organizations generally have it wrong when it comes to being the body of Christ to the nations. Oops, Facebook submitted that when I hit a return. So, Missions is not a business, but somewhere along the road, we took Ford’s assembly line philosophy and worker bee mentality and replaced it with Christ’s family relational behavior. Mission Organizations should facilitate familial communities going to the nations. Communities that exist and rooted in one another, and are the Acts 2:42-47 church. They live with one another in community, serve together in community, and minister together in community. Only when you are community can you be what Christ truly wants us to represent to the nations.

Pete Holzmann added:

Why assume community and roles are polar opposites? Maybe it is both-and? Even the example includes a priest who apparently guides into a role. Sounds like Goretex company (cf Tipping Point?)… New folk have a sponsor who knows them well. Teams are small so all are known, etc. Relationship and role. Something about that… Body of Christ… Organs not all the same… Where have I heard that before??? ;-)

What’s your experience? Do you have a good experience in a community that you’d like to share? Or (ahem!) a bad experience? What do you have to add to this? Comment below, or on Twitter/Facebook, or email me for anonymous reposting of your comments (justinlong@gmail.com).