(ETHOS&CHURCH)

how do you change a church’s ethos? how do you maintain a healthy ethos in the local church? to start:e·thos [ee-thos]1. Sociology. the fundamental character or spirit of a culture; the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group or society; dominant assumptions of a people or period.2. the character or disposition of a community, group, person, etc.3. the moral element in dramatic literature that determines a character’s action rather than his or her thought or emotion.how do you first figure out what the ethos of your body of believers is?” the fundamental character or spirit of a culture…”I can imagine that even now thoughs are running through your “theory cluttered mind”. What is the spirit of OUR culture? Are we a group of people that are accepting of ANYONE? Are we focused outside our walls? Are we a group of people that strive to LEARN? Are we a group of people that are radically inclusive? Is it all about ME? In Greek culture, the ethos was all about the INDIVIDUAL…”the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group…”What is the underlying driving force of what your community does? Is it love? Love for God? Love for others? Is it success? What drives your community? What drives what you DO? What drives how your weekend services look? What drives the kind of music you play? or what your graphics look like?”the character or disposition of a community, group, person, etc.”What is the CHARACTER of your community? Accepting of challenges? Unwilling to RISK? Unwilling to take the next step? Willing to do whatever it takes for the cause?”the moral element… that determines a characters action…”the biggest of them all… what determines your community’s action? tough questions…ETHOS propells your community… it’s what people FEEL when they walk in the door… and it’s what they feel when they leave… it’s what is the underlying reason for action…. it’s the motivation… it PROPELLS your community.So how do you shape ETHOS? How do you change ETHOS in the church? If it’s broke can you fix it?signing off till another day…j