While I was driving today I was pondering a thought dealing with the fear of new "movements." I believe there are new things coming from Christianity... well kind of. I would not say these are new things as much as old, or the oldest, things being re-injected into our current world. We have the old things, which we know are old, and the new things, which will become the old things once replaced by something newer. I believe what many are attempting is a bringing together of the "old ways" with the "new ways" to form a new NEW WAY.
Many people are referring to this new way as The Emergent Church. Others just like to call it the "postmodern church." Either way, you probably have a trying road ahead of you in preparing for it's imminent arrival. It's this "preparation"time that we are currently in. There are many looking to what God is desiring to see in His people, as He has always desired to see in them, and discovering what it may look like, based on the words of Jesus and the appearance of his early church.
This in-between time is the hardest. The blueprints to how this church will look, or all it will encompass, are sketched out, the ground has been plowed and leveled, and we have most of the materials, but we have just begun building. Some are anxious to see the outcome and are inviting people to a building not yet finished. It certainly catches those invited off-guard when they walk on the land where there's the shell of a church the expected to be finished. The beauty here is that they have the opportunity to help build the church and give input toward its desired outcome.
Dangerous words. People giving input to what the church becomes is questionable, no doubt. But at the same time our current churches have not been so divinely appointed that they are without human input. Still I understand this concern, and guess what... it's the point of this blog post. Hooray for unity in thought and concern!
We have our little SAT prep title up there. I'm going to start with Encouragement is to Pride. One thing I've noticed is that many Emergent/postmodernists have each other's back. The concern is so much for the cause that they lump themselves together to become a grand force. Now as I write this I am envisioning the apostles of the early church, with their different styles, but still unified, having each other's back, and that is great. Encouragement is essential for an idea or cause to progress.
There can be a problem when everyone agrees with you though, or more practical, everyone you surround yourself with agrees with you, and you with them. It concerns me how little disagreement I have with one of my friends. No matter what I say or he says, we usually agree almost if not entirely 100% (You know who you are). I am blessed by that encouragement, and it's needed to maintain confidence in the cause I believe God has placed on my heart, but at the same time I cannot surround myself with those kinds of people all the time. Something healthy can turn very unhealthy. I can start being certain that everything out of my mouth is the total truth. I can believe that what is true for me is true for him must be true for everyone.
Like minded people think alike. Is that redundant enough for you? The more you think alike, the less likely you are to get a broad spectrum of though. A gap in thinking I have could very well be a gap that you have as well. You need to include those who will help cover all the gaps.
Now let me clarify. When I said we are welcoming in people to help design this church with their input, that is not to suggest it's solely man's input. I believe, and I think all included in this process would agree, that we are looking at what God has blessed. What God has called blessed that is. It's also a call to look at history (Biblical or not) for how these blessed things have been accomplished in the past and the ethics of how they were brought about, if they have ever even occurred before. This is not to be a man-inspired church, but a Jesus inspired church. At the same time I would argue that it is not to be a Jesus-made church, but a man-made church.
Too become surrounded by too much encouragement will surely arise pride in ourselves (individually and as a sect), as well as hurt what is produced from the labors of our hands with the inspiration of God's Word. But there is another side to this also, an antithesis if you will.
We must all be careful not to put a damper on anything God could be doing. Just because it doesn't suit our idea of ministry, church, or theology, does not mean it is not of God. In fact I would encourage that we continue to check ourselves before Him, holding our hearts and action up to the light of His truth, as well as holding up anything "new" to the same light. We must be pure in our observation also, not attaching our preconceived personal stigmas to what we hold up to the light, otherwise it's easy to see what you wish.
There are times we will box God into our understanding, but this is most likely an issue caused by the issue we first addressed, too much encouragement. It is dangerous to speak any claim, or act out in life any claim, that suggests you have God pegged and don't need more perspective or information on the topic. The fact is, we have a great amount of trouble seeing the unrighteousness of the place we are standing.
I heard yesterday the reminder that white, American Christians largely embraced slavery in this country for a many years, not that long ago. They found no problem with living that belief alongside their Biblical belief. What are other such revelations to come, in which we will acknowledge our wrongs, and then shortly after question how we could have been so obtuse?
We must be accountable to each other to justify what we are proclaiming. We must work together to bring out the most truth found in God's Word and also through our testimony of how God has shown himself personally to all of us and to groups of people. It is for a common, unselfish goal that we can bring about God's change.
Rather than prowling around looking for a statement or proposed belief to attack, be peaceful and heartfelt in bringing others to knowledge. Show them their incorrectness in a way that is beneficial and encouraging toward our united goal. We must realize that we have different priorities. Is there a right set of priorities. Yes and no. There are some definite's and some that change based on the situation.
Let's work together to resolve them. Let's be willing to come together and speak with one another. Just as I am concerned when I am around those who only encourage me, I am equally concerned for those who will not give me an ear and will not join in to the discussion. I am concerned for me and for them. Without each other, we will become wrapped in pride.
Excess in like-thinking and encouraging words will make you think you are undeniably right in all you say. Ill-motivated demand for accountability will lead to the death of a movement, due to frustration, lack of confidence, and demoralization of an individual.
And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Be joyful always; pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24
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