When the ministers in our section (South Central Section (NY) Assemblies of God) meet in September our theme will be:
Christianity and Contemporary Culture: Responding to the need to be culturally relevant and biblically faithful.
The following scriptures will frame the discussion.
1. The first is John 17:13-18
In this passage Jesus states:
a. That it is not his desire for the Father to take the disciples out of the world.
b.That he has sent them into the world.
These two statements speak to our need to “be in the world” (i.e. culturally relevant)
At the same time Jesus:
a. States twice that the disciples are not of the world.
b. Asks the father to keep them from the evil one and sanctify them by the truth.
These statements relate to the need to be set apart by the truth and therefore, not of the world(i.e. biblically faithful).
Questions to think about
1. What does it mean to be “in the world”?
2. What does it mean to live as people who are “not of the world” and set apart by the truth?
2. The second passage is Romans 12:1, 2.
It speaks to our need to be biblically faithful – “Do not conform to this world…be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
3. The third passage is 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
It speaks to the need to be culturally relevant – “I have become all things to all people, that I may by all means save some”
Paul, the author of both Romans 12:1,2 and 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, did not do the very thing he asked others not to do (i.e. “conform to the world”). In other words, there is a need to relate to people in their own social/cultural setting without compromising the truth and thus failing to conform to God’s will (Rom.12:2b).
Questions to think about
1. How are we doing at fulfilling the imperatives of Romans 12:2?
2. How do Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 apply to us? Are we using all possible means to save people? Have we allowed personal traditions and/or preferences to become hindrances to people becoming part of the church? Have we wrongly assumed that the “way we have always done things” is “the way God wants us to do things”? Are we willing to accommodate to the culture where no scriptural principle is at stake?
In the past month I have had five conversations with non-Christians about faith. One is 21 yrs old, three others are in their thirties and the fifth is a 40-something. Not one of them have ever had anyone take the time to explain Christianity to them. I am finding this ignorance of Christianity more and more. Are we really living as the "sent ones" Jesus said his disciples would be?!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Faithfulness & Fruitfulness
In my last post I reviewed an article by Ed Stetzer on the future of the church and its mission.
In the article he raises the question, “What must the American church become and do in this season of decline? The question seems to presuppose that the decline is the result of a failure on the part of the church, rather than the result of an increasing hardness of heart toward God and the gospel.
A question that ought to be asked prior to the one above is, “What are the reasons for the decline in attendance at church services, the decline in commitment among those who do attend, and the decline in the number of people who believe in the fundamental teachings of scripture?
In Stetzer’s article, as well as in most others I have read that deal with the stated crisis, the cause for the decline is laid at the doorstep of the church. I believe we need a more comprehensive analysis of the cause than is usually offered. We ought to ask the following questions:
These questions can be divided into two categories. The first category deals with the responsibility that the church bears and the second deals with the responsibility that unbelievers bear.
The Responsibility of Christians to Be Faithful Witnesses of Christ
The questions in this category can be divided into two sub-categories:
1. Have we allowed personal traditions and/or preferences to become hindrances to people becoming part of the church? Have we wrongly assumed that the “way we have always done things” is “the way God wants us to do things”? In other words, “Is our failure at a structural/strategical/methodological level?”
2. Do our churches adequately represent the picture created for us in the NT of what the church is supposed to be? Are we lacking the character qualities (i.e. The Fruit of the Spirit) and spiritual power that Christ has afforded us through the Spirit? Is there a lack of authenticity in the life of the church that turns off those who appreciate, and would otherwise be open to the gospel message? Are we too worldy and disobedient? Are we not abiding in the vine and therefore unable to produce fruit (John 15:1-5)!!! In other words, “Is our failure on a spiritual level?”
I am aware that I have left myself open to the criticism that I have created a false dichotomy between that which is "structural and strategical" and that which is "spiritual". While my labels might be deficient, I believe there is a legitimate distinction to be made between the work of the ministry and the condition of the minister's heart. There is no doubt in my mind that a minister, or lay person for that matter, can work diligently at preaching, teaching, and administering in the local church while his heart is far from the Lord!
The Responsibility of the Non-Christian to RESPOND!
Do we operate under the tacit assumption that as long as we are faithful in the employing of our gifts and resources as well as faithful in our personal relationship to God non-Christians will necessarily be converted? Is the lack of willingness to repent and believe ALWAYS due to some fault on the part of the church? Hasn’t history clearly demonstrated that some people groups and some individuals are more receptive than others – regardless of the “spiritual quality” of the witness (i.e. Isaiah)? Would the apostles analyze the reasons people reject the gospel in order to figure out what they might have done wrong to the same extant as we do?
I think the obvious answer is that the church bears some blame as do those who have rejected the faith. Our effectiveness at making disciples will always be conditioned by the faithfulness of the church AND the responsiveness or non-responsiveness of the unbeliever.
In the article he raises the question, “What must the American church become and do in this season of decline? The question seems to presuppose that the decline is the result of a failure on the part of the church, rather than the result of an increasing hardness of heart toward God and the gospel.
A question that ought to be asked prior to the one above is, “What are the reasons for the decline in attendance at church services, the decline in commitment among those who do attend, and the decline in the number of people who believe in the fundamental teachings of scripture?
In Stetzer’s article, as well as in most others I have read that deal with the stated crisis, the cause for the decline is laid at the doorstep of the church. I believe we need a more comprehensive analysis of the cause than is usually offered. We ought to ask the following questions:
These questions can be divided into two categories. The first category deals with the responsibility that the church bears and the second deals with the responsibility that unbelievers bear.
The Responsibility of Christians to Be Faithful Witnesses of Christ
The questions in this category can be divided into two sub-categories:
1. Have we allowed personal traditions and/or preferences to become hindrances to people becoming part of the church? Have we wrongly assumed that the “way we have always done things” is “the way God wants us to do things”? In other words, “Is our failure at a structural/strategical/methodological level?”
2. Do our churches adequately represent the picture created for us in the NT of what the church is supposed to be? Are we lacking the character qualities (i.e. The Fruit of the Spirit) and spiritual power that Christ has afforded us through the Spirit? Is there a lack of authenticity in the life of the church that turns off those who appreciate, and would otherwise be open to the gospel message? Are we too worldy and disobedient? Are we not abiding in the vine and therefore unable to produce fruit (John 15:1-5)!!! In other words, “Is our failure on a spiritual level?”
I am aware that I have left myself open to the criticism that I have created a false dichotomy between that which is "structural and strategical" and that which is "spiritual". While my labels might be deficient, I believe there is a legitimate distinction to be made between the work of the ministry and the condition of the minister's heart. There is no doubt in my mind that a minister, or lay person for that matter, can work diligently at preaching, teaching, and administering in the local church while his heart is far from the Lord!
The Responsibility of the Non-Christian to RESPOND!
Do we operate under the tacit assumption that as long as we are faithful in the employing of our gifts and resources as well as faithful in our personal relationship to God non-Christians will necessarily be converted? Is the lack of willingness to repent and believe ALWAYS due to some fault on the part of the church? Hasn’t history clearly demonstrated that some people groups and some individuals are more receptive than others – regardless of the “spiritual quality” of the witness (i.e. Isaiah)? Would the apostles analyze the reasons people reject the gospel in order to figure out what they might have done wrong to the same extant as we do?
I think the obvious answer is that the church bears some blame as do those who have rejected the faith. Our effectiveness at making disciples will always be conditioned by the faithfulness of the church AND the responsiveness or non-responsiveness of the unbeliever.
Friday, August 8, 2008
For church leaders
Here is my review of, and response to, “Writing on the Wall: The Future of the Church and its Mission” by Ed Stetzer, published in the Spring 2008 issue of Enrichment. The Enrichment Journal is a publication of the Assemblies of God and can be found online.
Ed begins the article by offering his observations concerning the condition of the church in North America. The following quotes sum up his observations.
“In North America the church is in decline.”
“The North American church is losing its influence in society and culture.”
“In the current culture, secular spirituality has replaced the church…As leaders we must acknowledge the fact that the masses have decided that our churches do not have the answers to their spiritual questions.”
“The bigger issue is that the practice of Christianity is repelling people from the church.”
An earlier statement in his article clearly implies that, in the author’s opinion, many have rejected the church, not because they are rebellious sinners disinterested in worshiping and serving God but because the church has failed them in some way.
Following his observations and conclusion that the church is experiencing symptoms of spiritual sickness, he offers his diagnosis of the malady.
“I conclude that the church has lost its influence because it has forgotten its mission.”
“The church has lost confidence in the Gospel.”
This second statement is the main point of the article and obviously the author’s main concern. While we don’t find a detailed definition of “the gospel” the heart of it is the message about “a Savior who died on a cross in our place”. His meaning is further clarified by his citing of Luke 24:47: “Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations.”
His suggestion that the church has “lost confidence” in the gospel should alarm us all! What he is suggesting, in a somewhat diplomatic way, is that we have redefined Christianity by neglecting, if not outright denying, the very essence of the faith! Consider the following quotes:
“The gospel is about a Savior who died on a cross in our place. These are facts…and they are usually unpalatable to our neighbors. If we do not have confidence in them, then we do not have true faith.” (emphasis mine)
“After all, we must remove roadblocks that keep people from getting to Jesus. But…if strategies and systems replace the core of the gospel, its meaning and power will be lost.” (emphasis mine)
“In an incredible twist of irony, while trying to reach a lost world, many mainline denominations lost their beliefs.” (emphasis mine)
“Herein lies the real danger. We must not replace our confidence in the power of the gospel with a confidence in our own methods and strategies.”
The author does stress the need to be culturally relevant. He speaks of not “pining for methods that no longer work”, and the need to remove cultural roadblocks that hinder evangelism but his main concern is that the church is already, not just in danger of, becoming biblically unfaithful.
I find Ed’s diagnosis of the church’s malady as the loss of confidence in the gospel to be very insightful. It is also very alarming. The suggestion that the evangelical church is suffering from a loss of confidence in the gospel should be understood as a severe indictment. It is a somewhat milder, or perhaps more diplomatic way of saying that we have lost faith in the gospel. If Ed’s diagnosis is correct we need to examine our hearts
and ask ourselves if we can stand with Paul and say, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…”
We should obviously try to remove stumbling blocks that stand in the way of people coming to Christ but often the gospel itself – the message that Christ death on the cross was the remedy for our sin – is the stumbling block: One we dare not touch!
Ed begins the article by offering his observations concerning the condition of the church in North America. The following quotes sum up his observations.
“In North America the church is in decline.”
“The North American church is losing its influence in society and culture.”
“In the current culture, secular spirituality has replaced the church…As leaders we must acknowledge the fact that the masses have decided that our churches do not have the answers to their spiritual questions.”
“The bigger issue is that the practice of Christianity is repelling people from the church.”
An earlier statement in his article clearly implies that, in the author’s opinion, many have rejected the church, not because they are rebellious sinners disinterested in worshiping and serving God but because the church has failed them in some way.
Following his observations and conclusion that the church is experiencing symptoms of spiritual sickness, he offers his diagnosis of the malady.
“I conclude that the church has lost its influence because it has forgotten its mission.”
“The church has lost confidence in the Gospel.”
This second statement is the main point of the article and obviously the author’s main concern. While we don’t find a detailed definition of “the gospel” the heart of it is the message about “a Savior who died on a cross in our place”. His meaning is further clarified by his citing of Luke 24:47: “Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations.”
His suggestion that the church has “lost confidence” in the gospel should alarm us all! What he is suggesting, in a somewhat diplomatic way, is that we have redefined Christianity by neglecting, if not outright denying, the very essence of the faith! Consider the following quotes:
“The gospel is about a Savior who died on a cross in our place. These are facts…and they are usually unpalatable to our neighbors. If we do not have confidence in them, then we do not have true faith.” (emphasis mine)
“After all, we must remove roadblocks that keep people from getting to Jesus. But…if strategies and systems replace the core of the gospel, its meaning and power will be lost.” (emphasis mine)
“In an incredible twist of irony, while trying to reach a lost world, many mainline denominations lost their beliefs.” (emphasis mine)
“Herein lies the real danger. We must not replace our confidence in the power of the gospel with a confidence in our own methods and strategies.”
The author does stress the need to be culturally relevant. He speaks of not “pining for methods that no longer work”, and the need to remove cultural roadblocks that hinder evangelism but his main concern is that the church is already, not just in danger of, becoming biblically unfaithful.
I find Ed’s diagnosis of the church’s malady as the loss of confidence in the gospel to be very insightful. It is also very alarming. The suggestion that the evangelical church is suffering from a loss of confidence in the gospel should be understood as a severe indictment. It is a somewhat milder, or perhaps more diplomatic way of saying that we have lost faith in the gospel. If Ed’s diagnosis is correct we need to examine our hearts
and ask ourselves if we can stand with Paul and say, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…”
We should obviously try to remove stumbling blocks that stand in the way of people coming to Christ but often the gospel itself – the message that Christ death on the cross was the remedy for our sin – is the stumbling block: One we dare not touch!
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