Ron Highfield’s readable book, “Rethinking Church, A Guide for the Perplexed and Disillusioned,” is a thought provoker. His genuineness and sincerity become quickly apparent as he describes his own challenges to find “church” as the edifying and uplifting family that God intended it to be. I especially appreciate the fact that though Highfield has high academic credentials, he writes simply, concisely and with a humble spirit.
The first two chapters summarize church as God intended it to be from the scriptures. In chapter three, perhaps my favorite chapter, Highfield gives an excellent historical summary as to how the church lost its original focus.
After Constantine, “the church” became an accepted state-supported organization rather than a persecuted family. Then it then became “imperial.” Highfield describes the process—“persecuted, free, free and privileged or established” (p.34). The concept of the church as a privileged partner of the state wasn’t erased in the Reformation and it hasn’t been erased in the minds of many disciples even today. Page 42 sums up the relationship between church and state in the minds of many. “Churches of today…still claim to serve the common good and wish to retain all the traditional privileges” (such as tax exemption, mentioned elsewhere). “Accordingly they presume the right to speak to the moral, social and political issues of the day.” However, Highfield points out that in the Twenty-First Century there as an increasingly large minority that doesn’t see church as a social good, because they don’t like the traditional morality it espouses, or at least used to espouse. Thus, “the church” is in danger of losing its perceived partnership as a kind of a chaplain to the nation along with all of its associated privileges. Many respond to this loss of influence with political militancy and anger. However, Highfield suggests that such an approach is counterproductive. The church “should rather return to “its original mission as a counter cultural witness to Christ crucified and risen from the dead” (p.43). Such thinking reflects the cultural separatism of men such as Barton W. Stone and David Lipscomb, but more importantly, I think it reflects the spirit of early disciples who were taught by the inspired apostles of Christ.
Some would classify me as a “non-institutional” disciple, although I generally don’t like such categorizations. That probably explains why I liked chapter 3 so much. However, chapter 4 was more challenging to my thinking. Often “non-institutional” disciples have correctly pointed out the danger of seeing “church” at a universal or national level as a large network of congregations with its associated institutions that can be found in church directories. However, at the local level many non-institutional congregations are becoming “institutionalized” in the sense of becoming more like a business or corporation than a family of believers. For sure, the process has usually been slower among them than among “mainstream brethren,” but the danger is there.
Highfield describes this process of institutionalization among congregations he has known. It results in what he calls, “parachurches.” “They purchase and maintain building complexes, making it necessary to have janitors make periodic repairs, and pay large utility bills. To coordinate the activities of hundreds of people and programs for every age and interest group, churches must hire five, ten or even twenty–five ministers” (p. 51 ). He goes on to describe the accouterments that some seem to feel essential for worship in “parachurches”: expensive sound and lighting systems along with engineers to run them. He states, “In my experience, most contemporary churches are stage centered. People come to watch, listen and feel… If the performance is not satisfactory, we go elsewhere”…(p. 82).
Highfield laments the clergy system and the view of churches as “employers of ministers.” He is especially eloquent in criticizing the shallow preaching often produced by such an arrangement. While he is careful to point out that it is not wrong in and of itself for larger churches to exist and even mentions advantages they may have, he prefers another model - meeting with smaller groups of disciples that emphasize family and children.
Highfield acknowledges in chapter six that reform is never easy. It’s always easier to point out abuses than to find scriptural solutions. And perhaps that word “scriptural” is where our biggest challenge lies. Throughout his book Highfield mentions the impact of culture on the church. When do cultural inroads involve innocent differences in style or technique and when do they threaten eternal spiritual principles revealed in scripture? He briefly mentions a particularly sticky cultural challenge – the role of women in leading worship. Though not intended to deal specifically with issues like that, Highfield’s book does challenge us to rethink “church” in a number of areas and to seek through it the closer relationship with Christ and our spiritual family that God intended from the very beginning. The “parachurch” model tends to take us away from that ideal.
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Accurate observations of 'the church' in its state of functioning (or dis-function): However...
I am truly impressed with the accurate depictions of the current functioning and/or dis-function of 'the church';although it is unfortunate that the author has not taken time to research or at least interview persons on their reasons why they seeking their spiritual growth and connection with God and others- 'elsewhere'. The author using the term "ignorance" as if all former patrons of the traditional church are mindless squirrels seeking a shiny object in which to run to. Certainly there are going to be exceptions to every rule, but it would be wise to investigate this phenomenon further. Many spiritual, God-loving, compassionate, educated human beings are seeing the incongruence between the fear-based, paternalistic structure of the traditional church, and the actual teachings of Jesus. The whole institution- pretty much regardless of denomination, structures teachings upon the cultural constructs of a particular time. In my understanding, (and the details could differ from the research of various persons of course), the ministry/message was called "The Way" following his earthly life, did not rely on a building for worship, and featured woman disciples as well as men (certainly/purposely left out of the canonized Bible), and was not about the worship of Jesus, but rather about showing THE WAY to enlightenment through unconditional love and other core teachings- a message far, far lost within the power-gripping structure of religion in general. For those interested; look up more about the "Essenes", the jewish sect for which Jesus likely belonged to (it takes a bit of research to get to that conclusion). In that society, men and women are equally able to become spiritual leaders, and mystical practices were simply a way of life and accepted by those with those gifts (and think of the healing miracles from Jesus...ring a bell?). I realize my views differ from the author but I meant no harm to speak out on my different view- I know he is only using his life experience and acquired education to express a point of view. And of course I am doing the same.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2022
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Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2021
He encourages us to "Keep it Simple", "A Simple Church" and his wish that "Every Christian was part of a simple, small church. Over fifty years ago, I experienced this on a similar level and it is my most fond memory of a gathering of christians for the purpose of worship. The place was a small one room building in Boone County, West Virginia. The bathroom (aka outhouse) was about a hundred feet behind the building not too far from the baptistry, which was a lovely tree lined creek. Heat was provided by a wood stove, stoked by my grandfather with my six year old self in attendance. My hardworking, coal miner Grandfather served as preacher, song leader and janitor to less than 20 christian folks who came together on Sunday mornings. In worldly terms, all positions were unpaid, but I am certain he has reaped a reward.
Thinking Along with the author and Rethinking Church
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2021
The author states "I embarked on this project in hope of clarifying my own understanding of the church and my relationship to it". ... and hopes that others benefit in thinking along with him. I did indeed benefit. He mirrored many of my own feelings. Although I have studied "church" history, his inclusion here, as it relates to rethinking church and its mission, was most helpful. We have strayed.Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2021
He encourages us to "Keep it Simple", "A Simple Church" and his wish that "Every Christian was part of a simple, small church. Over fifty years ago, I experienced this on a similar level and it is my most fond memory of a gathering of christians for the purpose of worship. The place was a small one room building in Boone County, West Virginia. The bathroom (aka outhouse) was about a hundred feet behind the building not too far from the baptistry, which was a lovely tree lined creek. Heat was provided by a wood stove, stoked by my grandfather with my six year old self in attendance. My hardworking, coal miner Grandfather served as preacher, song leader and janitor to less than 20 christian folks who came together on Sunday mornings. In worldly terms, all positions were unpaid, but I am certain he has reaped a reward.
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Top reviews from other countries
Patrick Kelly
Thought provoking, discussion provoking.
Reviewed in Canada on August 25, 2021Obi Abuchi
Compelling and refreshing view of the Church as it was intended
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 27, 2021