Entropy is a measure of the unavailability of a system's energy to do work. The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics simply stated is the dispersal of energy. A couple of examples come to us from one of my favorite topics, cars. In a combustible engine, gas and air mix together inside of a close cylinder to form energy. This energy is then "sparked" by a spark plug to explode. The disbursal of that energy is seen two different ways. Carbon monoxide and water are disbursed out of the exhaust pipe to be absorbed into the atmosphere. The more important energy is directed from the combustion chamber to the piston which spreads its energy by forcing the connecting rod to turn the crank of the engine thus propelling the car directionally. This is an example of the 2nd law of thermodynamics; energy disbursing in this scenario into an open system.
Entropy, as stated in the opening sentence, is the measurement of energy no longer available to deplete. In a "closed" system (sticking with the car analogy) such as a gas tank, entropy would tell you how much energy – gasoline - you no longer have to use. (Wouldn't it be interesting if they called it an "entropy gauge" instead of a gas gauge? I used to have a vehicle once that had a computer in it that showed me how much gas I had burned and the rate at which I was burning it. It helped me to curb my leadfootedness".) Size of the tank (measured in total gallons) minus burn rate (total miles divided by gallons used or gallons used per hour) brings us to the obvious conclusion of how fuel much there is left to use. The car industry likes to think of the tank as "half full". The concept of entropy gives us this statement in reverse logic and tells us how much gas is no longer available. Get it? It's a bunch of double negative language. That can be confusing!
So why am I sharing all of this apparently useless scientific drivel with you? It's certainly not to show you how smart I am; I'm not. I got all of this stuff off of the web. A church in theory is basically a "closed" energy system. We have a finite amount of energy to burn. Energy in our system comes in three elements, physical, spiritual, and financial. It must be utilized properly towards a common goal, and it must be used efficiently. "Efficiency" is defined as gaining the maximum output from all available energy resources (physical, spiritual, financial) in the direct effort of implementing God's plan. Implementation of God's plan is priority 1. When energy is being utilized properly for the right things, there is a contagious "vibrancy" that can be easily detected in the people, and the body as a whole.
Over the last 12 months, we have engaged the entire church and developed a Strategic Long Range Plan that defines and supports priority 1. We have defined this as 1) Glorifying God, 2) Make Disciples (and grow them to maturity), and 3) Reach the World for Jesus Christ. Any programs outside of this plan where energy can be spent must be considered optional. They will detract precious energy from implementing priority 1. If we are going to implement plans and programs other than priority 1, we must either have sufficient energy capacity to support such optional programs, or the optional programs must be cut in favor of priority 1. This is wise stewardship of our energy. We must continually assess the rate of burn against our total entropy and adjust for efficiency in relation to our execution of God's plan; priority 1.
Properly spent energy is reflected as contagious "vibrancy". In the Body of Christ at Beaverton Christian Church, our vibrancy of late is noticeably less apparent than in years past. Over the last several years, optional programs that burned vital energy resources (physical, spiritual, financial) detracted us from priority 1. A lesser vibrancy has been the result. These optional programs are being addressed; they will either be re-prioritized or cut. Many have come close to burn out, many have left. We need to alleviate the issues causing this. If we don't fix this, the affectivity and productivity of the body at BCC in Kingdom building will be even more compromised.
Look, it's like this; the natural state of the born again believer is to serve His creator, discover His plan for them, and fulfill it. Read Psalm 119. This can be seen in John 15 as being grafted into the vine and producing its fruit. Serving your creator and savior, producing fruit causes vibrancy that is worn on the foreheads and the shirt-sleeves of the believer. They are so excited about these things that they naturally want to tell others. Searching out Gods plan can be seen in a number of places; my favorite is in Proverbs 25:2 where it says "it is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings." Producing fruit can also be seen in number of places. My favorite is in the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25. I like this because it shows two attributes, the fulfilling of the work we were asked to do, and the attitude it is carried out with. Those entering the kingdom didn't actually see Jesus per se hungry, thirsty, naked, or in prison; their natural state of "grafted-in-ness" to the vine however was one of active, action packed compassion for the needy. They naturally looked out for them. Further, their question of "when did we see you hungry, thirsty, naked or in prison" portrays their frame of mind throughout their new born again lives – they were simply doing what vine offshoots naturally do and not giving it a second thought; neither in the groans of unwillingness, nor in "pat-on-the-back" self gratifying kudos and points. It is when we are not doing these natural things that we become less vibrant.
This lack of vibrancy ties back to the 2nd law of thermodynamics and entropy. When we are doing the things not natural to our new spirit (implementing priority 1), our energy is dispersed towards efforts that are not kingdom centric. We have less available energy (increased entropy … remember, it's expressed in a double negative) to spend on Kingdom work. We are inefficient and ineffective, not doing what we were created to do. In effect, our energy has been hijacked; our light and vibrancy are dulled. Remember what Paul said? The real battle in this life is not between good and evil, rather between the spirit and the flesh. The flesh seeks flesh, the spirit seeks God. Like the commercial, we must ask ourselves, "what is in our spiritual wallet"?
The job of the church leadership is to ensure that we grow disciples to maturity in Christ so that we spend our collective energy (the closed system of the church) on kingdom efforts. We are charged with understanding what a mature disciple looks like (as defined biblically) and then guiding those in the flock to look like such. Truly in context we would be encouraging all believers to understand and live out II Peter 1:5-9;
"Make sure you add to your faith goodness, and to goodness knowledge, and to knowledge self control, to self control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. If we do these things in increasing measure they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge (read into that word relationship-with …) of The Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins."
The lack of vibrancy seen in a significant portion of today's "main line denominations" and in "post Christian Europe" is not what we want to be known for at BCC.
It is the opinion of this congregant (which may be held by others) that over the last several years, we at BCC may not have been as focused on God's plan as we should have been. It is also my opinion that this has caused us to lose vibrancy, both internally and externally. We MUST move back quickly and aggressively to the plan which God has so clearly laid out for us in His indisputable word. We have captured this well in our new mission statement as seen above. By redefining our mission statement as such, relying upon His Word, trusting in the Holy Spirit, and working together in community, I believe we are on the right path. As a body, seeing this "end from the beginning" will help us to run the race with vigor, intention, and direction. While we may have been distracted for a while, we are no longer. It is our commitment as leadership to ensure that in all things that we do, we keep this end in mind, and that we guide all efforts, maximizing efficiency and minimizing entropy, towards this end.
It is my prayer that in 2008, the 2nd law of thermodynamics and entropy, as they apply to your efficient energy burn, can be focused like a laser beam directly on the activities of kingdom building, implementing priority 1. I pray that you will enthusiastically join with us as "the Body of Christ at Beaverton Christian Church" to rekindle our vibrancy in a big way as we move as Paul says in Philippians "as one man contending for the sake of the gospel".
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1 comment:
This blog is a great idea! Please keep the posts coming! They don't necessarily have to be lengthy or profound, but I would love to see more frequent posting. What a great way to stay connected with the body!
Brenda W.
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