Vertical or horizontal?

A teaching culture has a vertical axis. The hierarchy is vertical, and teaching is from the top down. The doctrine is defined from the top down. This tradition also gave rise to the distinction between laypeople (below) and preachers (above). It is the professionals who are in office who set the tone.

On the other hand, there is a culture of learning. There is only a flat, horizontal hierarchy. In a learning culture, there is no vertical structure in which the truth is taught from above, but a horizontal structure in which shared learning is central. In a learning culture, growth to maturity is actively and mutually encouraged.

Of course, there can and may be mixed forms. In many places, this will already be the case at local level. This article is not about condemning one and hyping the other. I am interested in outlining concepts of learning and the resulting culture of thinking and believing. I think this is helpful for a positive focus on healthy faith cultures.

Maturity

In a healthy community, the maturity of all members is promoted. With vertical hierarchies, there is a danger that maturity is seen as a climb up the hierarchy. In horizontal hierarchies, maturity can be mutually encouraged and it is not something that is initiated or mediated by a higher order.

Growth towards maturity is not possible without teaching, but more teaching does not automatically mean more maturity. Teaching is not negated or avoided in horizontal structures, but the dependence on teaching and teachers is dissolved and prevented. Being an adult in faith requires maturity both in faith and in life. Where this is already happening today, we are moving towards the future, both for the individual and for the community.

These few details do not tell the whole story. But perhaps we can talk to other people about what kind of culture leads further. You can also think about how you can dissolve dependencies and what anchors you need for your soul and spirit. There are questions upon questions that are worth investigating. You don’t have to commit yourself, but you can boldly try to record what is important first.

On the road together

Being a church or a free church today is demanding and no longer as self-evident as it was 100 years ago. Many communities and churches are in a state of upheaval. It is not easy to rethink the past.

An evaluation of existing culture is perhaps born out of necessity. If, for example, the community is no longer financially viable, this can be the trigger for a new dispute.

If municipalities are losing touch with the reality of life and more and more people are expressing criticism or leaving, one can ask oneself what priorities have been set so far and why they are apparently no longer working. It could be the starting signal for something better.

You can try to understand yourself and your previous development first. That would be the current situation. Then you can think about the target state and what would be necessary to achieve it.

People have different experiences and are open to evaluation in different ways. That is also part of it. Perhaps not everyone wants change. However, it always takes a few people who want to think of a new vision together. This can be a task within a larger structure. Some will want change, while others will be against any change.

You can perhaps try to understand the needs of the community. Different needs are part of the diversity of the community. This is the case today and will also be important for the community of the future. Human needs exist independently of vertical or horizontal structures.

Imagine you have never been to a church, free church or religious community. You know nothing about church buildings, liturgies, PowerPoint presentations and worship bands. What would be important to you then? Perhaps you know the scriptures and what do you read there? Are there any suggestions that should definitely be followed up? Why and what for? Is it possible to identify a direction for all efforts?

With this type of question, it may be possible to envision a community of the future. Important elements can be filtered out during the discussion. Networking with other communities that are already involved in such an evaluation can provide a great deal of foresight. This is especially true if these are not churches of their own denomination or Bible groups with the same views. Diversity is key.

Differences between a teaching culture and a learning culture can be used as helpful signposts.

Differences between a teaching culture and a learning culture can be used as helpful signposts.

Can we set out on new horizons together? Is this necessary or not? Why do people move in different directions? What shapes my humanity and what can shape my Christianity?