AUTHOR: Robin Dugall
DATE: 9:47:00 AM
-----
BODY:
It finally happened...a good buddy of mine made a "hit list" of those pursuing the way of Jesus in our often confusing and divisive times. He alerted me to the fact that his name now appears on the list of "heretics" such as Brian McLaren, Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen and Brennan Manning. Too bad these youth workers have probably never seriously read any of these prophetic voices for life, vitality and passionate faithfulness to the revolutionary movement we affectionately call "the Church". It was amazing to me that along with names, there are things listed like "labrynths, contemplative prayer and (surprise) Youth Specialties. You know, that was the only one that didn't surprise me...I've often wondered why I have always felt that Marko was the anti-Christ. I mean, have you looked at his picture lately? Seriously, I knew this was coming. As long as we have people, egos, money, property, and sytems that we have to defend, we are going to have spiritual turf wars. It's like the emergence of street gangs within a Christian context..."I'm a PostMo"..."I'm just a Mo"..."let's rumble!" Divisiveness within the Body of Christ not only dishonors our mission to a hurting world but it also puts Jesus right back on the cross. Doesn't Ephesians 2 say something about Jesus dying to tear down the emnity between us and our brothers/sisters in the Lord? I've taught for years that if you put up ANY wall of division and animosity, that it is, practically speaking, like saying to Jesus, "your sacrifice wasn't enough...we know better...we prefer the walls". Now, I've been critical of other ministries and people I've prayed for over the years. I believe that we need to be held accountable for our lives and actions in the name of Jesus. Even so, it is not our place to drawn "heresy" lines between people for which Jesus died in order for us to join them in redemptive community. The truth is - one day EVERY BODY and EVERY leader and EVERY ministry will have the pure light of Christ reveal the truth of the motives and fruit of our labors. What does it say...only that which has eternal value will last. So, what do we do in the meantime? Well, we have two choices as far as I can see: one - let's all get into "beware" lists and the person/ministry with the most "beware list" citations wins a prize! I'd love that! Option two - how about loving and supporting each other! How about NOT thinking of ourselves as more important, right, orthodox or spiritual than the other (some guy by the name of Paul wrote that in a book, I think, is called Romans). Yeah, I don't agree with certain people. I am not a big "Purpose Driven" fan; Marcus Borg and Bishop Spong are not on my favorite theologians list; I'm very critical of the direction my former denomination is taking (ELCA); I'm not crazy about hymns; I prefer Taylor and Martin guitars to Yamaha and Gibsons; I like rock 'n roll and NOT pop music; bottom line, we all have preferences. But you know what? I have to listen...learn...read...think...expose myself to different perspectives...look for the TRUTH wherever Jesus might be revealing Himself. So let me close by calling out my brothers in Shockwave Youth Ministry...tear down the walls! Strike the "Beware" list lest "you be judged"...oops, I hate the hammer people with some thing that Jesus said!
--------
COMMENT-AUTHOR: Unknown
COMMENT-DATE:10:36 AM
COMMENT-BODY:on a whim (or was it prompting by the holy spirit?) our group dove into a study on 1 corithians a couple weeks back. the first couple chapters, focusing on division in the church ("I am of Apollos!", "I am of Paul!") and paul's response to that has been a really eye opening experience.
on a related note, God brought an elderly couple into our group, and now we have two 80+ year olds that there every week. i immediately was concerned that there'd be an issue, with them being old-school church. well, turns out they're the most cutting edge of the group. the body they fellowship with has completely deconstructed church and operates without a lead pastor, having each of the elders act as "teaching elders". the emphasis is on scripture, prayer, community and their relationships with Christ, rather than the administration of church or procuring a facility.
timely. to be sure.
--------
Unknown
COMMENT-DATE:10:36 AM
COMMENT-BODY:on a whim (or was it prompting by the holy spirit?) our group dove into a study on 1 corithians a couple weeks back. the first couple chapters, focusing on division in the church ("I am of Apollos!", "I am of Paul!") and paul's response to that has been a really eye opening experience.