Roxburgh tells Oklahoma Disciples of Crisis in the Church

(Tulsa, Okla. – April 26, 2008) - The Church is in crisis in the West and the answer is not to be found in better programs or more dynamic leaders. The answer, according to Alan Roxburgh, keynoter of the Oklahoma regional assembly, is in the ordinary men and women in the pews of those churches. Roxburgh is a pastor, teacher, author, and consultant specializing in transformational renewal of churches.

He told the assembly in Tulsa, Okla: “What troubles me (about the crisis in the Church) is that so many of our leaders and so many of the rest of us are obsessed with how to make the church ‘better’ or how to make it grow.”  He insisted: “Transformation is not about making the church better, or bigger. It’s not about inviting people into our friendly gatherings. Transformation occurs in those places where the people look within themselves (listening for the voice of God) in order to join God in ministry in the place where they are.”

Roxburgh urged the Oklahoma Disciples not to look to their pastors or a special leader for answers to transform their churches. He said “look within yourselves and realize that God is up to something here that we haven’t even begun to dream about.”

Roxburgh has written extensively on renewing the church. He leads conferences and seminars across North America, Australia, and the United Kingdom. He is also vice president of Allelon Canada, a foundation promoting the study of the mission of the church in the 21st century and developing leadership.

The Oklahoma regional assembly was held at Harvard Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa, April 24-26. Members of the 172 Disciples of Christ congregations in the region gathered for inspiration, workshops, mission projects, and fellowship. Thomas R. Jewell, regional pastor, led in welcoming two new congregations to the region: In the Spirit Christian Church, Tulsa, and Carney Christian Church, Carney, Okla.

Leslie Dotson, of Broken Arrow, Okla., was installed as an associate regional pastor and Northeast Area pastoral liaison.

Written by:  Don Lanier
Freelance Writer

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