APOLARITY

I have long thought that God has big things in store for the church, and that the church is going to grow in strength. I am increasingly thinking that it is coming in a way that is unexpected, and that is certainly unwelcome to much of Christianity.

In high school, when I was experiencing spiritual renewal through the “Toronto Blessing,” I remember learning about moves of God; how one will stagnate, become institutionalized, and lash out at those who are bringing change – which is often the next thing God is doing. I wondered at the time how this movement could possibly be averse to change, because they were open to any new methods and manifestations. I found it hard to understand this movement lashing out on anything new that God has to offer.

I have realized recently (no big revelation to you, my dear reader) that these circles I have experienced, while being open to new practices, still presupposed evangelicalism and the “Christian Right.” Would they be so open to a move of God that called them to love their neighbor, even if he is Muslim or liberal or homosexual? Would they accept and bless the spirituality of other traditions: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Mainline Protestantism? Would they accept a new appreciation of liturgy, of the saints; monasticism? What would they think if someone told them that the kingdom of God is not America?

Maybe Brian McLaren was right in saying that it may be easier for “traditional” evangelical churches to transition into postmodernity than for those that adopted a modern contemporary model. It will be especially hard, I imagine, for those churches that are successful at that model; that draw many people with a “seeker sensitive” model of programs and services (both meanings) that seem to thrive by what “needs” they can meet in others. It is all like some sort of chain marketing scheme: the hook, the bait, the pitch, the clincher, get you in the door, join the club, now tell all your friends. At its worst, it is enough to make me sick.

Think about the transition from the medieval time to modernity. It didn’t come easily, and the church certainly lagged behind in accepting a shifting worldview.

I don’t want to be only critical, however; I do want to chart out a new way. I do think that some churches and many individuals will make this new transition, and I believe the church will grow and be stronger as it furthers the kingdom of God.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 28th, 2005 at 2:28 am and is filed under religion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.