Change seems to be the only constant in this world. Heraclitus determined this long ago when he said, around 500 BC, that "you can't step into the same river twice." He believed the basic principle of the world was "fire and flux" or as he said, "Everything flows and nothing stands still" - constant change.That certainly seems to be the case these days. Change is happening at a faster rate than at any other time in history. This rapid change tends to make life rather complex and convoluted. On top of that, we're confronted with vast amounts of information coming at the speed of light - all at our fingertips. The world is becoming smaller, by that we mean that we are more aware of things going on all over the world. We're forced to process more and more and more information. At times, it is almost enough to make you want to yell at the top of your lungs, "Stop!! Stop, for a second and let me catch my breath."
Sometimes we just want to get off of the information super-highway...to take a break...to find peace and true Sabbath rest. I've discovered that there is a strong desire among many in these complex days to find a sense of simplicity again. This is a reaction against our all consuming culture, and the church should be leading the way. However, it seems that more often than not, life in contemporary Christian community only complicates things further - rather than bringing focus, direction, and simplicity to our lives.
It seems to me that the primary purpose for the tangible Christian community is to carry out God's mission as the Body of Christ by being/becoming Christlike disciples and inviting others to join us in the journey. We are supposed to be an authentic expression of God's Kingdom - bearing witness to our true identity and the real reality. But, we tend to get easily distracted...I think we've got a bad case of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). We need to refocus on Christ and return to simplicity.
How do we do that? What does it look like?
That is the conversation that we're having these days, in response to the simple church movement, which is closely related to the emergent church, organic church, and house church movements. There is a good wikipedia article on the simple church here. Our staff is reading this book together as one foray into that conversation. But, I'd also like to hear your feedback. What's your response to these movements or to the state of Christianity in the United States these days. Should we return to simplicity...if so, what does that look like? Until next time - Blessings in Christ ~ RLS
2 comments:
Richard,
I suppose change could be lumped in with death and taxes as the only things one can be really certain will happen...and as you alluded to in your post, it seems that in these days, it is all the more a force to be reckoned with. I don't really have a problem with change. It is often a very helpful and necessary reality in our lives. However, I do have a few questions as it relates to the simple/emergent/organic church movement. First, as churches are becoming more simple, they are having to reject some ways of operating and revise other. What do you see as some the major things that may be sapping the church's energy, thus not enabling it to fully live into the "Missio Dei"? Conversely, as churches are changing to more faithfully fulfill the mission of God in the world, what are some of the most important changes (in your opinion) that are being implemented? I'd be interested to get your perspective.
Moose,
Hey man, it's good to have your thoughts, comments, and questions. This is something that I hope to explore in a few blogs as I continue processing on these questions. I can give you some of my initial reactions...but I should always warn people are usually not well thought out or researched...so take them for what they are.
I'm still learning a lot about the emergent/organic/simple church movements...which seem to be various expressions of church life that are responding (or at least attempting to respond - whether intentionally or in the tacit dimension) to more general cultural shifts. That large, nebulous word that we've all heard but no body really knows what it means, the movement from modern to "post-modern".
Since Christianity is an incarnational phenomena, we must reckon with and respond to culture...we simply cannot escape that fact because we are conditioned by time & space. That doesn't mean there isn't a transcendent aspect of our faith, which must also guide and shape us, but we must not become Gnostic or isolate ourselves from the culture because that would deny our Chalcedonian Christological confession - it would deny the revelation of God's self to us - it would deny the foundation of Chrsitianity itself - the Triune God who has made Himself known in and through the Incarnation of the Word and has continued to graciously bring His presence into our lives by the Spirit.
Well, I guess I should stop pontificating and get to your questions. Anything and everything that diverts our attention from the "Missio Dei" should be rejected and revised! I guess that means we should spend a lot of time getting to know what the mission of God is - and what it looks like for our particular communities of faith to participate in that mission. It is difficult for me to answer that question broadly...I think each particular Christian community needs to struggle with just what that means for them. The mission of God is only seen in the person and the work of Christ - so we should be continually redirected to Him as the source of our life, purpose, mission and vision. Whatever we do we must be a Christ centered community that has one and only one goal...to participate in the mission of God and by doing so we participate in the life of God. This doesn't sap our energy but instead it energizes us.
One of the biggest and most important changes is doing away with useless or meaningless programs that have become vestiages of bygone days. That is certianly not to say that tradition or programs are unimportant...but everything is brought under the Lordship of Christ and is used for His purposes...if it doesn't help us in that endeavor then it is worthless. Another important change is the renewal of a relational understanding that has become primary, rather than mechanistic models which created cold, institutionalized organizations called "church"...we're attempting to regain living metaphors that better communicate and shape who we are. I'm sure there are other things, but those are the two big ones right now. Let me know what y'all think.
Blessings in Christ ~ RLS
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