Jointly Fit and Bottom Up Culture

Without direction from God, there is no gas in the tank. Without decision making there is no foot on the accelerator, no impetus to move forward. Without horizontal and bottom up counsel, there are no passengers in the car.

In 2005, Media is transformed by the pajamas media that don't buy the corporate spin. Just ask Dan Rather who is now enjoying retirement. In 2006, the Southern Bapists respond to the bottom up leadership of Wade Burleson and the SBC Bloggers like Steve McCoy.

Honesty, integrity, involvement, empowerment, and shared ministry will energize this bottom up culture and release the innovation and passion of the local church. Our churches must embrace the diversity of the community of individuals and rally around singlular passions as articulated by Christ. If there is a time to understand the depth of the concept of colaborers, jointly fit together in Christ, that time is now.

Rhett Smith wrote an excellent piece on bottom up culture. In his article, he said:

The "bottom-up" culture wants to be at the table. They want to be part of the process. But as long as the church operates in a "top-down" model, those at the bottom will often be excluded and will not be allowed to think for themselves.

I would change his premise. Top-down, restrictive leadership, while perhaps depriving people of information, does not prohibit people from thinking for themselves. However, it will prohibit participation and stifle people who are hungry for interaction, development, and personal investment.