FLIP THIS CHURCH

Are you familiar with the saying, "Flip this house?" Flipping is used on home improvement cable networks such as HGTV, DIY and MTV. Flipping is also used in residential and commercial real estate. To "flip" is to purchase a house or property with the intent to sell it for a profit. In most cases, the owner renovates the property in order to add value for its appraisal and then mark up the resell cost of upwards to 40 to 75% depending on the market. While the structure of the building remains, the non-structural walls may be demolished, plumbing lines and fixtures replaced and lighting improved. In addition, the building is brought up to the current safety standards, municipal regulations are adhered to and ADA (American with Disabilities Act) criterion is achieved.

Let's utilize the concept of "flipping buildings" and apply it to the church and our lives. Is it possible that many Christians and churches throughout Christendom can benefit from a spiritual flip? In other words, maybe our Christian walk or ministry is long overdue for an upgrade. A beneficial change. A spiritual overhaul, renovation and retrofitting. Some of our personal devotional practices to God may need to be updated or enhanced because we have wandered inadvertently away from relationship to ritualism. Furthermore, aspects of our ministry may need to be gutted and removed in order to be replaced with new fresh relevant features. In other words, a spiritual upgrade may be the order of the day. Let’s add value to ourselves and to the ministry that God has called us to. There are four main areas of our Christian lifestyle and the church that can be “flipped”.

1. Inspect the foundation. Residential and commercial concrete foundations are impacted by hydrostatic pressure, which can cause erosion. Consequently, because the concrete has cracks, dangerous gases such as radon can find its way into a habitable environment and cause harm. Radon is colorless and odorless gas that can cause lung cancer.

The foundation of the Christian and the church is Jesus Christ; His mission and His standard of holiness. However, as the foundation of a building is challenged by hydrostatic pressure, the provocation of the church and Christian lifestyle is pressured by current societal trends, media, governmental law, and ethnic inequality. With an ever evolving and consciously morally depraved world community, we must relentlessly endeavor to model the principles of Christ. The Apostle Paul challenged the Christians of Rome to not conform to the patterns of the world (Romans 12:2). John, the beloved disciple simply wrote, “Don’t love the world (1 John 2:15)!” However, like a drug addict, we just simply can’t get enough. Let’s not amend, revise or redefine the standard of holiness as many are accustomed to do. The standard of Christ cannot be changed because it “is what it is!” but it will become what you make of it.

2. Let's create an open floor plan. One of my favorite American Architects is Frank Lloyd Wright. He believed that an open floor plan fostered fellowship and community for the residents. Perhaps there are too many walls up in our congregations. While walls protect and provide privacy, they also separate and conceal. Let's tear down the walls of jealousy, pride and indifference and encourage a spirit of transparency and openness.

Let's remember that we are on the same team and that the enemy is not each other. In order for any team to win, everyone must have the same goal in mind. The goal takes precedence over personal gain. Like that of a basketball team, Christians must communicate with each other, utilizing hymns, psalms and spiritual songs on the court of life (Ephesians 5:19). Though everyone’s role is not the same, each has an important part to play so that all can win. Let's work together in removing the barriers of the big I's and little u's, cliques and exclusive groups and promote an experience where everybody is somebody.

3. Update the materials of the decor, but keep the tradition. The building may be traditional such as the typical elements of a dwelling, but why should it have the materials of the 1970's when it's the year 2015? Let's get rid of the wood paneling, retro multi-floral wallpaper and update. Just like the materials in a home should be updated, so should the material and delivery of our message. What worked in 1970 may not be appropriate for 2015. We need relevancy. Let us endeavor to speak prophetically to the social issues of today. Let’s utilize social media, text messaging, and video conferencing employing Fuze.com (free), Adobe Connect or Skype (free) to share the Gospel of Jesus.

Your testimony matters! Like the Samaritan woman that Jesus met at the well (John 4), we all have an authentic unpretentious story to share. Nevertheless, our ecumenical witness is more than just rhetoric. Testimony is more than just a mechanical display of vernacular prowess. Conversely, it is an effortless fireside conversation of our personal encounter with the Master. Let's keep it simple by sharing our conversion from the platform of the Gospel and allow the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say.

4. Add curb appeal. "We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us (Winston Churchill)." Every urban or rural community impacts the psychological and social dynamics of its inhabitants. So it is with the church. Is the church culture that we created appealing? Is anyone welcome? Why are so many churches empty? Does the church look like the community that it is located in? Do we perpetrate practices, ideals and falsehoods that have nothing to do with Christ, but everything to do with, "that's just how we do it or we've always done it this way?" Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do people say that I am (Mark 8:29)?" Let's ask the question, "What do people say about us? Let's enhance the look of the church by changing the curb appeal.

Sometimes a good face lift is in order. The good news is that everyone can participate. Let’s give our best shot at exhibiting radical hospitality and creating a place where people belong regardless of gender, lifestyle, class, age or ethnicity because every person is loved by God. After all, we are all sinners in desperate need of a Savior (Romans 3:23). Let’s demonstrate mountain moving love. We all have mountains in our lives and relationships. Some of our mountains are so large and wide that it's hard to get over or around them. These metaphorical mountains prevent people from trusting, nurturing and helping each other. We need mountain moving love! This kind of love does not come from the world, it comes from Christ.

Let's flip our Christian lifestyle and church! Let’s critically look at ourselves from the view of the cross and measure our Christian walk to God’s standard of biblical holiness. In order for the church to be “flipped,” it cannot be a one man show. Even Jesus employed the assistance of twelve men to change the world. There is a task for the unskilled as well as the skilled. From the layman to clergyman. C'mon and let's build something together. Instead of a house of theatrical production, let's turn the church back into a house of prayer. Instead of focusing on increasing our membership numbers, let's focus on getting folks saved, discipleship, spiritual health and well-being. Let’s go back to the basics by inspecting our foundation. We are Christians who are called to exemplify the characteristics of Christ and meet the standard of holiness. Let’s create an environment of open communication where dreams flourish, upgrade the material of our message, and add curb appeal that is inviting, loving and nurturing.

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