American Church
Recently, there has been increasing discussions regarding church planting movements. As a way of recapturing the missional soul of the church, many have chosen to make paradigm shifts regarding the church's expression and life together. This is seen in numerous forms of emergent forms -- especially organic or house churches. I'm part of such a move. Many are looking to several Asian and/or African countries and wondering if the same kind of church multiplication, signs & wonders, and passion for the Gospel can happen here in North America. I'm asking too. While we know anything is possible for the Lord, it makes sense that there needs to be a change in the behavior of His people. I can't help but imagine that the Lord is eagerly seeking our repentance & transformation. We need to repent.
One Indian preacher has compared the American church to Samson in his final days as he was chained to the pillars in the Philistine palace. Bound, blind, but still attracts a crowd. And it has lost the power to put fear in the hearts of the enemies of God.
I certainly hope the fate of Christ's church in America is not the same as that of Samson. However, we do well to listen to our brothers overseas where the Gospel is advancing not so unlike what we often only read about in the book of Acts. Is it a call to structural paradigm shifts? Yes, I suppose it is that. Is it a call to books & lectures on the missional church and postmodernism? Yes, probably; these resources are probably helpful. However, it is most of all a call to repentance. It is a call to seek the Spirit of the Living God to conduct heart surgery.
All the discussions in the world on evangelism won't do a thing if we aren't moved in our gut with compassion for lost people. All the building projects we could possibly undertake will be for nothing if the Lord removes our lampstand (see Revelation). Great presentations and well polished homeletics won't do it if we don't love each other.
It seems that nearly every major turning point in the Scriptures came with repentance. When will this become our starting point for change? When will it for me?
One Indian preacher has compared the American church to Samson in his final days as he was chained to the pillars in the Philistine palace. Bound, blind, but still attracts a crowd. And it has lost the power to put fear in the hearts of the enemies of God.
I certainly hope the fate of Christ's church in America is not the same as that of Samson. However, we do well to listen to our brothers overseas where the Gospel is advancing not so unlike what we often only read about in the book of Acts. Is it a call to structural paradigm shifts? Yes, I suppose it is that. Is it a call to books & lectures on the missional church and postmodernism? Yes, probably; these resources are probably helpful. However, it is most of all a call to repentance. It is a call to seek the Spirit of the Living God to conduct heart surgery.
All the discussions in the world on evangelism won't do a thing if we aren't moved in our gut with compassion for lost people. All the building projects we could possibly undertake will be for nothing if the Lord removes our lampstand (see Revelation). Great presentations and well polished homeletics won't do it if we don't love each other.
It seems that nearly every major turning point in the Scriptures came with repentance. When will this become our starting point for change? When will it for me?
posted by Jared | 8:28 AM
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