Overcoming Disorientation

It’s somewhat of a running joke with my wife and kids – when we go on a trip, you can count on dad to get us lost at least once!  I have long since stopped denying this inevitable truth and willingly admit that I easily become disoriented.  As a result, I always use a GPS to keep me headed in the right direction.

Disorientation isn’t just something that individuals struggle with, but entire organizations can become disoriented and that includes churches as well.  Disorientation is defined as a “loss of one's sense of direction, position, or relationship with one's surroundings.”  I am amazed at how well disorientation defines the state of so many of our churches.  It points to three characteristics that easily apply to the church:

1. Loss of a sense of direction: We are all familiar with Proverbs 29:18 which states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…”  When God’s people cannot get a clear vision of where God is leading them, they easily become disoriented.
2. Loss of a sense of position:  Disorientation results in the church being confused about “Why has God placed us here?  Why do we exist?  What is our purpose in this community?  World?”  This is a loss of a sense of position.
3. Loss of a sense of relationship with one’s surroundings: When the church loses its sense of position it always results in a loss of understanding its relationship with its surroundings, its community. When this happens the church tends to hide within the walls of the church, a seeming safe-haven in the midst of the wilderness.

Part of our role as leaders in churches that have become disoriented is to help our congregations find their bearings.  In a sense, it is a reorientation to God’s mission for the church.  When you get a job at a new company most of the time they have you come in for what they call “orientation.”  An orientation is simply learning about the organization, why they exist, what their goals are, and how they go about accomplishing those goals. 

For many of our churches those things were once clear, but have now become fuzzy.  What they need is a reorientation in why the church exists, the goals of the church, and the steps they will take together to reach those goals.  Doing so will help our churches to more clearly see where God is leading them, the redemptive position they have in their world, and how this calls them to live in relationship to those God has called them to reach.  It’s the mission of God that keeps us oriented and moving in the right direction.

Recommended Resources

Shift – How NineChurches Experienced Vibrant Renewal by Daron Brown

Shift Videos