Andy Newbrey
Over the years, I have had several people have said to me, “You’re a Renaissance Man.” That is a name people give you when they don’t know what to call you. It’s how they define what they think you “do” for a living when they have no clue what you “do.”
My response to that comment is always the same, “There is a very fine line between a renaissance man and a fool.” I am an entrepreneur to the core of my being, and that’s how I live life:
For fifteen years, I was a financial and accounting consultant for many churches in Kansas. In that position, I could see their struggle, their failings, and their battles. Much of those complications were self-inflicted and had a lot to do with hanging on to the church's traditions. They were hanging on to the only way they knew how to be and do church. In the last fifty years, the world’s opinion of the church changed massively. Like many Christian leaders, I watched the world moved on, and the church did not; we were unable to let go of the comforts of tradition. I became convinced that I knew what church and pastors needed to do. I could see what needed to happen to turn things around. So, finally, I surrendered to the call. I gave in. I became a pastor. For two years, I served as the lead pastor for the church where I grew up. We accomplished many things. I pushed hard and fast, and at the end of two years, emotionally and physically exhausted,…I failed. There are many things I underestimated, even with all of my church management experience.
We need a new Movement. Christ is calling us to a new Movement! We need a revolution in the fundamental nature of (C)church, what it does, how we exist in the Body of Christ, and our understanding of what "worship" is. That massive shift away from traditions has to come with/from emerging generations. Generations who are willing to go outside the box, get off that well-worn path, climb out of the ruts, and layout new tracks. |