Can you feel it? A deep rumbling coming from the very foundations of the Church. A change is on its way - a movement of God to usher his people into deeper relationship and deeper truth. Some are calling it the Next Reformation - just as the modern era ushered in the end of the domination of the Roman Catholic religion and the entry into denominational, charismatic expressions of Church, now the modern era has ended and we are being ushered into the post-modern. While the modern Church sought to erect artificial walls, structures and organizations (i.e. denominations) and started to "do church" instead of "be church", the post-modern now seeks to breaks those artificual structures apart - to effect relationships in place of divisions. Some people also use the image of a brand new generation of Church that is the process of Emerging - the state of being Emergent.
There is a kind of freedom involved - a step away from being religionists and toward being simply Christian. That is to say human, flawed, sinful - and yet forgiven, redeemed and related both to God and to each other. Instead of sunday-morning preaching (where a large group of people get together inside the walls of a building in order to act as audience while one person talks about what is on his or her heart) being the primary mode of expounding truth, the emphasis is starting to become focused on a conversation (a dialogue between two or more people that allows for the hearts of all involved to be expressed equally)- perhaps one that meanders throughout the week through emails or blogs, or by getting together with friends over dinner or coffee.
For just about a year now, I have been a part of "The Feast", which is an informal gathering of Christian people who just want to get together over coffee, sing some songs and talk about what is on our hearts this week. It has been remarkable to me how much more I get out of that simple meeting than I do out of sunday services at "church". Not that God is not moving within that community, but there is a feeling of boxiness about it. We have a great pastor who has a lot of really good things to say, but more often than not what is being preached on sunday doesn't meet me where I am at that day. Sometimes it meets me where I was at a month ago, or where I will be a month from now, and that's the problem - what is on my heart now needs to be addressed right now, and that can only happen through organic conversation among equals.
A few nights ago Lisa and I had our close friends, the Petries (Anna and Richard) over for steak and stuff (my new found BBQing skills we put to the test, but I rose to the challenge), and it was so good to just be able to (as Richard said) "let it all hang out." To talk about things that were going on in our lives - work, play, church, etc, all of it culminating in SNL's The Best of Will Ferrell Volume 1 ("I've got a fever.. and the only prescription is more cowbell! Say it babies!").
Over the past little while we have also had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with our friends the Coles (Ron, Colleen, Megan and Ashley), hanging out, watching movies, having coffee, eating chilli or trying to coax some semblance of service out of little seaside eateries. But most of all talking. There is a feeling of acceptance there - where we can say whatever we feel like saying, and they just listen. No judgements, no attempts at correction - just conversation. It felt so good to be able to just drawl on about our marital difficulties, fights and general dysfunction, or our sordid family histories and pasts (some of it, I will admit, is rather shocking) and NOT to get the usual knee-jerk reaction. Instead it is a feeling of knowing familiarity that says "yeah, we've been there too, in fact we're STILL there." That, to me, is what the idea of the conversation is all about.
We all have places in which we are right and strong, and places where we are wrong and weak. Conversation allows for us to understand where another soul is at in their walk and also be understood by others without having to become defensive about it. It allows for the ability to CHOOSE the right paths instead of being forced down them through shame and unacceptance of where we are right now. Richard said something quite insightly when speaking of a mutual friend - he said that though he did not always understand or agree with everything said by our friend, he chose to love him anyway, because "I see Christ in him."
So now the church of the modern era has a choice to make in the face of this oncoming shift into the post-modern era. The institution can choose to embrace God's deeper revelations and break down its own walls in preparation for the shaking of its foundation. Or it can build higher walls and large pillars and stubbornly hold onto an instituation that clearly (attendance in denominational churches has been dropping sharply since the 1970's) is in its death throes, and be broken in the upheaval.
This is starting to happen for me in a very personal way - my community is starting to be shaken in a very real and sometimes startling way. The cracks are starting to show in our walls and in our pillars, and the question remains - what will we do about it?
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9 comments:
At the very end of the song "Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble" by Delerious ~ Martin Smith sings a line followed by hair a raising rumble: Something is changing...
I concur with what Saint said -- indeed something IS rumbling.. and it's coming without rest. I'm finding the whole picture of the emerging church beginning to become much clearer as I see it for what it really is. I'm realizing how "religious" we have become in the church and have we have made Holy Spirit fit our form, rather then our form fit Him.
The denominational structure is not just the politcal institutional face, but it's also a mindset that most of us have grown up with and grown "used" to. It's not to say God isn't moving through them, but the move of God that is taking place outside the walls seems to be one that will re-shape everything on how we BE church.
This has got me to thinking.. and listening more about what is taking place. It seems so many of us deep down are not satisfied with "normal" christianity -- because people are not getting the buffet -- but instead are getting the tea and cakes, or the appy's.
Was John the baptist normal? Was Jesus normal? What is normal? If Jesus wasn't normal, then how can we be satisfied with normal? If we're satisfied..perhaps we're too comfortable...
"Say it Baby !" good post. I'm there.
Hey Ryan, It seemed like the fellowhip we had at the Cafe' at Tulista Park beared fruit. The fellowship at the table with the Spirit of God was sweet, to be able to share ant feed one another...was church.
Casey has articulated beautifully what I too think I might have said. I would only had that institutional christainity/churchianity is crumbling, and out of the debree and rubble someting is beginning to form. There is structure, but it's walls are not rigid and stone like...it is fluid, flexible and permeable. Some people fear this kind of structure, because it doesn't seem solid...but this new structures solidity comes from the Spirit of God and the bond between "relational living stones."
There is generation that wants to see Christianity "walked out" and not "talked out." The western dream of "looking out for number one ", " the worlds yours in a hand basket...yours for the picking" and the modern dream of "grabbing a slice of the american pie"...has been seen for the lie that it is. Being consumed with individual spirituality only serves to drive us further from each other and God...but serves a consumer driven Christianity. People want intimate relational living, tribes or pilgrims authentically sharing life...personal lives and the life of Christ.
Also in our modern evangelical theological development we've accomplished reducing Christianity into nothing more than a moral code, to be defended at all costs.So in defence of the big three, same sex marriage, homosexuality and abortion...we have forgotten to defend the real gospel, to share and give the good news.We need to become this permeable membrane in which " all " God's children can pass through. I'm trying to think of the story Jesus told which realtes to this...about the good and the bad. And Jesus told them, it really wasn't their concern, that when it was harvest time...He would do the weeding. If I remember the verses, I'll make an ammendment. Any way it is Jesus who transforms, re-creates and makes new...our condemnation, fear and judgement won't do it...we can only invite, like the owner who sent his servant out for the banquet...His Spirit will do the work...we just need the faith.
And I envision, leadership to be more like a potluck dinner where everybody contributes something. No matter how small, and tasteless you might think your offering is...when it is laid on the table with everyone elses, it is a valuable contribution that adds to the whole of the community.
But the church is changing, call it " emerging " or some other label...but there is shaking, and thunder...there is change in the wind. The emerging church is facing the reality of change, of living in the uncomfortable wilderness of transition, and have the faith and courage to enter into the journey.
Saint-
I have been following your posts on another blog on which I don't care to comment. I just want to say that your viewpoints are so refreshing. At an early age I became so disenchanted with the judgment that always seemed to be associated with religion that I shy away from anything religious and put my "faith" in science. That fact that you endorse the notion of tolerance and acceptance, letting God be our only judge and living by Jesus' TRUE teachings fills me with hope. I never thought I would comment (positively) on a blog about about religion, but I think you are going about things the correct way. You spread the word in a manner that was as the EARLY Christians intended. Thank you.
Hey Ryan
Thanks for sharing what's in your heart. I agree that a true relationship with God is not dependent on the 'right' things we do in church (or out) and that God uses the people around us, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to minister to our personal needs, so that in every situation, we will be able to experience the grace of God. I am also heartily in agreement where you said 'Conversation allows for us to understand where another soul is at in their walk and also be understood by others without having to become defensive about it.' It is also good to meet with our fellow saints so that we can develop deeper bonds and be in a position to better minister and love each other as Christ has loved us.
I also think that in expressing our new-discovered freedom in christ, not to throw out the baby with the bath water. There is a place for biblical exposition where the trained pastor sheds light on a new angle in the truth of Christ's life, death and resurrection and how we should respond rightly to God's love where justice and mercy meets. I don't deny that mature Christians may not gain as much as a new Christian/unbeliever in these sessions, don't you agree that this thus gives us a great opportunity to serve others and help them grow more quickly in this way follow Christ's example more closely of being the Servant King seen when he washes the feet of his disciples?
Perhaps the key is to do both: getting every saint and their (unsaved) friends to listen to a biblical teaching that will help them all understand Christ's sacrifice and its implications a little better and then after that meeting each other (e.g through 'The Feast') to minister and love each other through sincere sharing and thus also discover how God uses each different personality He has given to different people to minister to everyone?
I feel the key is not to depend on external events/circumstances to fulfill our deeper needs: In my personal experience, nothing beats discovering Christ being my all-in-all through my trusty bible and knowing He hears me through prayer, trusting that He will bring to me what's to my good long term.
Good post, it really helps me think about my personal spiritual walk.
Anonymous: Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me some feedback - your words mean more to me than you know. The buscheney blog has so much potential for misleading people into seeing BC08 as a GOOD example of what Christianity cares about (aka the Big 3 - Homosexuality, Same-sex marriage and abortion), which really misses the entire point. I have hope for him yet - if nothing else the boy is sincere in his beliefs. I hope you'll check back here from time to time!
Carpe Diem: You have an amazing heart for God, my friend and that is a really wonderful thing to see. I read through a number of your posts and got the definate impression that the spirit is working through you in a bigger way than you might realize.
When it comes to your question of what the best way is to do church - my answer is: Why DO church at all? We are the church, so we should be putting our energy into being the church both to each other and to those who don't yet know Christ.
You definately have a point that there is something to be gained by allowing a trained pastor expound the word to a congregation - God has worked and will continue to work within the context of the institution even though that wasn't his original design for how the church would function.
However, I think that the best model of what it means to be the church is to look at how the first Christians ministered to each other. There was no such thing as a professional teacher or pastor really. What passed for a "pastor" was not the person who preached but was more of an administrator who helped keep the synagogue's affairs in order. There were always different people preaching and teaching. If you look back even further into the way that Christ himself did things it seems apparent that he was much more interested in the relationships he made with people than he was with any kind of structured worship that existed in the day. He taught at synagogues because that is where all of the religious went, but most of the really amazing things that he did (miracles, healings, etc) all took place in relational or social settings. When he turned the water into wine, it wasn't at a "church", nor was it for religious purposes. It was at a wedding, for partying purposes. When he healed it was usually while walking down the street and meeting people. People were healed, not because he was a great pastor but because they loved him and had faith in him in PERSONAL ways, and reached out in faith. When he fed the 5000 people, it wasn't church - it was dinner!
Relationships have ALWAYS been the most intimate and effectual ways to spread the gospel. When you ACTUALLY care about a person, regardless of whether they are "saved" or not, that makes a difference in their lives - not someone who doesn't care to know them personally and yet claims to have a "word" for them on a sunday morning. The denominational mode of preaching does have its virtues - God DOES work through it - you are absolutely correct. But from what I have experienced, a relational witness, one that allows for people who really get into what is going on PERSONALLY for them and how Jesus connects to that, is a hundred fold more effective and more real. So if one can help it, why would anyone want to split their time between the two?
Just my thoughts on the subject: Experiences and revelations may vary :)
Hey Ryan
Your points about us being the church and not doing church hits the nail on the head and you are right that the love of Christ is best shown through people and not through formal institution.
I still feel it's important to attend formal biblical church services although our differences in this respect is ok.
As long as Christ, His truth and His salvation remains the cornerstone and capstone of our lives, we are His united body. :)
Thanks for your encouraging words Ryan, it feels good to be affirmed.
i totally understand what u mean by the church not meeting u where u are i sometimes feel that although the sevice is good it just doesn't really address what i am going through at the time but then i step back and see where it may pertain to where i am and it seems to make no sence it's like trying to get a peice of a puzzle to fit when u know it doesn't.
same post !?!
Boo hoo, write something new!
You seem to be writing something once per month so it's that time again sainty. Let's see what's mulling around in that handsome little head of yours.
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