GlocalNet

I’ve read a lot of books on globalization and what it means. Those that will make it and those that won’t in every area of society are similar to nation states that will make it - the primary challenge is that of connected states.  No nation state can make it without being connected - and riding on another country’s coattail is insufficient. 

Disconnected states generally possess the following traits:

1.  Driven by an extreme tribal leader that is a totalitarian
2.  High over confidence in their own worldview/paradigm
3.  Has one or two relationships that facilitate their global needs
4.  High control over communication/behaviors
5.  Strict adherence to ideology & leader almost as cult
6.  Believe they have everything they need for future

This would be places like ?????? You know…...

Another kind of disconnected state

1.  Many tribal leaders all vying for control
2.  Survival of the fittest based on skills of individuals
3.  Anarchy - no control, no rules, no worldview only survival
4.  Sense of impending doom
5.  Grab whatever promises your hope is in at any given moment
6.  Frantic mindset

I think many western churches are like the disconnected states described above. They are in decline and totally out of touch with their community and world.  They just want people to come, accept a 19th century worldview, and not change. Others try multiple forms of church in hopes that something will work. 

Any church, style/format, any expression of the church cell-city-global- that will remain connected to Christ will do fine.  Over the life of any church there are ups and downs - the only question is what is your primary connection?

It is impossible for a church to fail if they are connected to Christ - the Holy Spirit always makes you relevant if not highly fruitful - because Jesus loves this world and wants people to hear. Woe to churches that are disconnected from Christ that thrive on programs and markets to keep afloat - they always ultimately die - and some even make nice museums. A churches greatest contribution isn’t what it did - but what the body of Christ is doing. The church that’s connected to Christ will be connected to the world and the 21st century or whatever century they find themselves in.