Bruce Miller, Your Church in Rhythm: The Forgotten Dimensions of Seasons and Cycles (Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series). Jossey-Bass, 2011.
Referenced in: Strategies for Congregational Renewal – Seasonal, Rhythmic
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
This is not a new approach to church development. Instead, it offers a philosophy to help leaders choose the model that may be more life-giving, and to follow that model in a way that is beneficial.
Miller bases his method on the idea that “a good church will find ways to harmonize with created and providential rhythms. Churches, like all organisms and organizations, develop through stages, experience seasons, and live in cycles of creation (days and years).” In keeping with this, we should develop a “sense of appropriate timing, a discerning of the opportune moment and conversely what does not ‘fit’ in this season. We can learn how to dance the church to the God-shaped rhythms of life.” He believes this is instructive for churches and presents “six rhythm strategies for wisely leading our churches so that we are more fruitful in ministry and ministry has more joy.” (xvii)
As far as value for church leaders, “rather than feeling constant pressure to do everything all the time, you can flow ministry in life’s rhythms if you pace yourself in natural cycles and oscillate between intensity and renewal.” This results in finding more “joy in accomplishing more of what God has for them in this place, at this time. They start having fun.” It is also good for churches, “When churches release expectations that don’t fit this time in their life, they reduce stress and experience more peace. When churches purse unique opportunities that fit this stage of their organizational life or this season of their ministry, they find greater fulfillment in Christ.” (xviii)
He contrasts this to the balanced church that tries to do everything well at the same time and in appropriate balance. He describes the unrealistic expectations heaped upon conscientious ministers:
As we read the blogs, go to the conferences, and download the podcasts, we hear about churches that are outstanding in various aspects of ministry. We see what they are doing and become convinced that we too must be an outreach church; a praying church; a multiplying church that starts other churches; a recovery church; an emerging church to reach the next generation; a theologically deep church preaching the true Gospel; a technologically cutting edge church using new media; a mission-minded church with a heart for the world; a sticky small-group church; a missional church with a heart for our community; a multisite church with many venues; and as stewardship church with a culture of generosity. (xxi)
He does not critique any of their models in particular, but offers a metacritique that applies to all static models:
None of these models are wrong, but how they are applied in the flow of ministry can create dysfunction. When we get to real-time, in-the-trenches ministry, how do we relate these models to what we are doing? If in any given time period we attempt to make our church fit each mark, letter, or purpose of a balanced church, we are in danger of toxic perfectionism. Rather, in any given period at our church, we need to focus on one element or another, but not on all of them. (xx)
He believes the concept of balance is flawed. Because of the way life in general, and church in particular, happens, we cannot always do things in balanced proportion. Some things remain constant, but ministry happens in time. He explains:
Your Church in Rhythm does not offer a paradigm to replace or compete with these other church models or approaches. Rather, if adds an often-missing view. Whether you are emergent, purpose-driven, organic, simple, programmed, contemporary, missional, creedal, seeker, traditional, reformed, or liturgical, you can by rhythmic too. Rooted in creation patterns and providential reality, rhythm applies equally well to churches, regardless of size or theology. …If you grasp and deploy the six rhythm strategies outlined in this book, you church can experience less stress and better results, whether it includes twelve people or twelve hundred. As a complement to theological orthodoxy, organizational effectiveness, financial integrity, and missional clarity, rhythm brings better timing and this will improve our churches. (xxi)
Miller distinguishes between two types of rhythm: kairos and chronos. “Chronos is measured time, such as on a watch or calendar. Kairos is experienced time, such as the opportune time to invest or the right time to propose.” (xxiv) He says there are five created chronos cycles revealed in Genesis 1 that allow us to pace ministry better: day, week, month, quarter, and year. Kairos time, as spoken of in Ecclesiastes 3, is divided into two broad categories: organizational stages (longer periods) and ministry seasons (shorter periods).
His strategy is that as a church faces situations, they should assess where they are in Kairos and Chronos time and use this to determine the best course of action. This is accomplished by using the six strategies, three for Kairos and three for Chronos. The three Kairos strategies are to know where to release expectations, seize opportunities, and anticipate what’s next. The three Chronos strategies are to pace your church (frequency and flow), build mission-enhancing rituals (traditions and habits), and oscillate intensity and renewal.
He devotes a chapter to each principle. Each chapter ends with a case study for application of the principles to one’s congregation with the Rhythm Solution Process worksheet based on the six strategies.
From the Publisher
A gentle new way for church leader’s to survive stress and burnout
Bruce Miller debunks the idea of balance—basically trying to have it all, all the time. Most churches and their pastors try to do everything at once and feel guilty if any one aspect (worship, ministries, outreach, etc.) is neglected. He replaces the exhausting concept of balance with the idea of rhythm: churches, like people, need to give attention to different programs and ministries at different times, basically by attending to their seasons and cycles.
- Offers an innovative new model for church leaders
- Miller has been influential in the formation and promotion of “Church-Based Training” as in international movement
- Offers a proven method for avoiding burnout for church leaders and members by doing the right things at the right time
The author offers much-need help to overwhelmed leaders and shows them how to apply Miller’s seasonal/cyclical approach to church life.
From the Inside Flap
In this groundbreaking book, Bruce B. Miller introduces the concept of rhythm as a powerful approach to church life. Every ministry flows in rhythms in the stages of a church’s life cycle and in regular cycles annually, monthly, weekly, but how can leaders maximize the God-given rhythms of life?
Miller challenges the idea of a balanced church—trying to have it all, all the time. Typically church leaders try to have every ministry moving full speed ahead at every point in time and inevitably feel guilty if any one aspect (worship, ministries, or outreach) is neglected. In place of the elusive search for balance, Miller proposes rhythm: flowing in seasons and cycles. Churches, like people, need to give priority to different purposes and ministries at different times.
A healthy church will find ways to harmonize with created and providential rhythms. Churches, as all organisms and organiza-tions, develop through stages, experience seasons, and live in the cycles of creation (days and years).
Your Church in Rhythm unfolds six rhythm strategies built on the concepts of chronos and kairos. Chronos is measured time, such as on a watch or a calendar. Kairos is experienced as the right or opportune time, and is measured in stages and seasons. Kairos rhythm strategies enable church leaders to release expectations that don’t fit a particular time. They empower churches to seize opportunities unique to this stage of their church’s life and to anticipate what’s next, creating hope. Chronos rhythm strategies empower leaders to pace their church well in life’s cycles, to establish life-giving habits and value-building traditions, and to oscillate intensity and renewal in each cycle.
Leading a church in rhythm with the seasons and cycles of life will increase impact, reduce stress, and multiply joy for the leadership and the congregation.
About the Author
Bruce B. Miller is the founding and senior pastor of Christ Fellowship, formerly named McKinney Fellowship Bible Church, near Dallas, Texas. He also founded the Center for Church Based Training (CCBT) where he served for eleven years as the chairman of the board of directors. He speaks at conferences and seminars in the United States and other countries, including Mexico, China, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.
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