A Notion to Reject

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if there has been any fundamental change in the Christian ethos since the reformation. Sure Protestantism has arisen but the "practice of church" has been pretty much the same in the West for the last 3 centuries. The forms are codified, social expectations are strong and change comes slowly if at all.

As Emergent Christians, I don't think we should try to change the forms of church. People in the mainstream of society are too hopelessly inured in the system to be turned on to a new way of being. Sure some will make the shift, but I don't think we should seek to change the church at large.

I'm not saying that we reject God's church. In the words of Paul, "May it never be."  I'm saying that we should reject the notion of intentionally seeking to change the church. We should be more concerned with reaching those who do not follow Christ.

I say, Stay on the fringe. Live in the margins. Reject Evangelical success. Love the Pagan. Strive to love God. Give your entire being. Live as authentic Christ-Followers in our era. Gather together to celebrate the grace and freedom of Christ. Follow Christ as he leads us. Forget about being influential. Let God worry about changing His church.

History demonstrates that God brings renewal to His church through people who live like this.

Comments

[Glenn]

A hearty agreement from this corner!

[A]

With you on the margins bro.

[George]

I echo Glenn's agreement.

[Mike]

Well said. (Life is so much more exciting out on the edges anyway!)

[Darren]

Thanks guys! I'm finding the margins to be a place where my faith gets shaped in new ways.

[Josh]

I've come to a personal realization that my dissatisfaction with "the Church" in it's current state is something that is my responsibility to address. The American way would be to simply pull up roots and find something that I think suits me better. That seems to be an adventure that misses the point completely.

It's not about me. It is about Christ, in me and in those around me - whether they are part of the Church or not. We are all imagebearers, and by drawing closer to His Light that image becomes more visible.

Jesus called us to make disciples, not pledge card converts. How are we to do this if we are not first disciples of His way? If we truly live as Christ, the questions of "program" and "church model" become irrelevant, and others may be discipled by Christ in us.

Christ lived in the margins.

Darren... give me a call! 360-319-6672. I have missed having you around on a semi-monthly basis, back in the days of the short-lived Indie Allies Meetup group.

[Darren]

Josh, Great to hear from you! I'll be giving you a call in the next few days.

D~