It's been a month since the The Elephant Room Round 2 event, and since I haven't really posted my reflections and thoughts from the second round, I thought now would be a good time to do that.
Background - About The Elephant Room
This was the second round, hosted by James MacDonald, and the idea behind The Elephant Room is to get pastors together in one room and talk about various issues that the Church is facing as a whole, or talk about issues that pastors are facing in leading the Church. There are a total of 7 conversations/topics and 7 pastors (including James MacDonald). For each conversation, there are two pastors in the hot seat and moderated by a third pastor (typically James or Mark Driscoll). More information can be found at http://www.theelephantroom.com/.
To summarize, below are each of the conversations and a quote or two that I took away from each conversation. Note: The quotes below are rough quotes and may not be exact, but the concept should be the same nonetheless.
A Little Help - The Future Of Denominations & World Missions (Jack Graham | Mark Driscoll)
This conversation discussed denominations and their role today. Are denominations still relevant? What is the difference between denominations and networked churches? Harvest Bible Chapel would be a network of churches in that each church is its own entity, and while they all follow a same/similar format, each one operates individually and not a top-down approach. All pastors would agree that whether your church is part of a denomination or not, the importance is sharing the Gospel. James MacDonald said, "Less control, more empowerment to get the Gospel out." Denominations are just as relevant as independent churches, as long as the Gospel is being preached.
The Gospel - What's Essential For The Gospel & Presenting It (Crawford Lorritts | Steven Furtick)
Basically the point here is what must be included when sharing the Gospel (ie. what teachings or beliefs make up the Gospel). Each pastor also believes that we need to do less watering down of the Gospel and present it as is. "The message of Jesus is offensive (double meaning): it offends and it is on the offensive, moving forward", Steven Furtick. Christians, including some pastors, try to soften or water the Gospel with fear that presenting it as is would offend people. Christianity isn't about making everybody feel good about themselves and softening the reality of Hell. Hell exists, Hell is real, and we need to stick to what the Bible says, not create a feel good, everybody wins doctrine. "When you're drowning in Lake Michigan, don't describe the color and features of the rescue boat. Point them to Jesus and don't cloud the cross. It is simple and beautiful as it is," Crawford Lorritts. My favorite quote from this section was by Mark Driscoll, "It's easier to be a critic than a pastor."
A Hard Day's Night - Burn Out & The Pressures Of Ministry (Wayne Cordeiro | James MacDonald)
Ministry burn out is no secret, and some say it is the inevitable. For this conversations, the pastor's talk about warning signs and how to prevent burn out before it happens. There were a lot of quotes that I liked in the section, but here are a few: "50% of leadership is self management," Wayne Cordeiro. "We don't forget we're pastors, we forget we're human," Wayne Cordeiro.
Ticket to Ride - "Majors" Of Christianity, Sound Doctrine (T.D. Jakes | Mark Driscoll)
This conversation talked about the use of labels and the doctrines or theology that we believe. "We believe different things...Everything we believe doesn't fully describe God and all that He is," said T.D. Jakes, "When we get to know people by their labels, then comes all of the baggage that defines those labels,." Despite some differences that T. D. Jakes has from the other pastors that were in the room, there was a relief in the room when T. D. Jakes professed the core doctrines of theology. My favorite quote here is from James MacDonald, "I am leery of people who try to erase mystery and replace it with certainty, all in the name of sound doctrine."
Come Together - Racial Doctrine in Church (Jack Graham | T. D. Jakes)
It is obvious in our Church today that there is a lack of cultural diversity, and this conversation seeks to bring more diversity to the Church. "There was more cultural diversity in the 50s and 60s than there is now," Crawford Lorritts. "The thing that God hates most, if He could ever get a voice in church, is Pride," T.D. Jakes said, "God uses the most culturally diverse people in the Bible," (speaking of people like Moses and Paul).
Help - What To Do When Staff Morally Fails (Wayne Cordeiro | Crawford Lorritts)
Not only do many people burn out in ministry, some fall to sin while serving, and this conversation talks about dealing with those who fall morally, including pastors and other staff members. In dealing with those who are in ministry and fall morally, Crawford Lorritts said "If they are negotiating, they have not repented. If they are concerned about their image/reputation, they have not repented." Wayne Cordeiro said, "It is better to confess than it is to admit."
We Can Work This Out - Christian Relationships, Associates, & Contexts (Steven Furtick | James MacDonald)
One of the James' biggest points and goals of the Elephant Room is to get to know other pastors and people before getting to know them by their label or what others say, and something that I have come to practice myself when I hear things about various pastors or people (though I am not perfect in this area). "I'm gonn start getting in a room with people and get to know them before I draw conclusions about them," James MacDonald said. Instead of starting with Googling people and drawing conclusions, we should get to know them a little first. Sounds clips taken out of context can mean something different than in context. And as said previously, it is easier to be a critic than a pastor.
There was a lot to take away from the Elephant Room. I always enjoy it when pastors can get together, differences aside, and have a civil conversation. While others wanted more of a debate or argument, James MacDonald has said that his goal with the Elephant Room is to simply bring unity among pastors and the Church.
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