Thursday, 17 May 2007

  • ... more than duct tape.

    I often wonder: "Is the church broken?"  ... and, IF it is broken, "who or what broke it?"

    Now, obviously the problem rests with individuals - since we, ourselves, are the "temple" - yet the problem becomes all the more complicated as we become organized into a corporate entity.  Certainly, there is strength in numbers (if correct) but that means there is also danger in numbers (if incorrect). 

    I suppose every generation of church leaders, pastors and passionate servants have been grieved by the complacency of the previous generation.  Today's leaders in this are called emergent, postmodern and relevant - and they are committed to saving the church or reinventing it.

    Yet, ironically, the church seems to out survive all of those trying to save it.

    Yes, someday our kids may be referring to Rick Warren, Erwin McManus, Rob Bell, Craig Groeshel, and, yeah, Chilly Chilton as old-school, out-of-touch, religious has-beens... ouch.

    And the church?   It will still be alive.

    Now, I'm not suggesting that we don't seek to improve or fix what's broken - but simply be honest enough to admit that we are not the saviors of the church - Jesus died and rose for that honor - He's always interceding for it - and His prayers are PERFECT.

    I think lots of things need to change, and I'm called to provoke such changes.  God created me and others to think differently, to be culturally sensitive, and missionally motivated. I have a purpose and task - I will be judged for how I did.  But, I don't need another new book - I need more of the old, true & perfect book.  It's more relevant than any other title or writer. And, its author made me... and you... and the church.

    just me rambling at 2:48am...  
    chilly


Comments (10)

  • Ramble on brother ....... some of the best truth I've heard in some time. Christ is the head ! And even the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church !
  • slider .... middle of the plate
  • Okay, so you have no idea who I am, but your posts make me think. It gives me hope for the church world-wide, but at the same time makes me wonder about what has to change in the church world-wide for the church as a whole to become a true representation of the Christ that we believe in. One of my most frequent prayers is that seekers will seek no matter what state they find the believers around them in. I mean, it's so easy to be so lax that we might make it harder for people to come to Christ.
    Anyway, props! Keep up the good work.
  • Interesting.
  • Hey, Chilly, good questions to ask. You might be interested in some reactions I posted a couple years ago to this question:

    Is the Church broken?

    For what it's worth, I think the Emergent conversation asks a lot of great questions, but isn't always great at providing answers. The questions need to be asked, but sometimes they need to be answered, too!

    Regards,

    Rich
    BlogRodent
  • hmmm that's really good...especially since i'm at a 'bible college' where everyone has their complants about this and that. It's not supposed to be that hard...

  • Sometimes are ramblings become the leadings of the Spirit of God.

    Just this morning I was talking with Jeff about the same matter. There is something stirring locally which I think is actually happening on a global scale. Bill Hybels has been credited with using the expression 'holy discontent'. So whatever is being stirred by the Spirit of God at this time it does not belong to any one grouping - simply it is the purpose, plan of God. Recently, I was reading Colossians 3:1 - 17... particularily v16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom..."

    As Rich has commented..."The questions need to be asked, but sometimes they need to be answered, too!
    Given Corinthians states "we have the mind of Christ", it would suggest that we should be giving answers to the questions a needy world are asking. How can we? Amazingly as redeemed vessels - carriers of the Spirit of God - oracles of heavenly wisdom - God is determined to use us in grabbing the lost from hell's clutch.

    Hope that all doesn't cut a over-zealous fundamentalism - but something is stirring within this old belly!

    Blessings Chilly on you and the family... Belfast awaits your next visit

    Les
  • You "ramble" (and I only use that word b/c you did!) better than anyone I know - especially at 2:48 a.m.!  Thanks for the encouragement! And - on a random note - Yesterday, I heard "We Need God in American Again" for the first time since M/C days! WOW - how times, and music, and methods CHANGE! love you!
  • word! i read the post that said you don't write in this any more, but I read this post after getting here through someone else's xanga and i wanted to thank you for writing this. i just finished reading An Emergent Manifesto of Hope, and I attend Mars Hill in Grandville often, and I really like a lot of what the Emergent Church is saying. But what I don't get is why I keep hearing people say that the church must change or die. Granted, it might not continue in its same state, just as it isn't in its original state right now, but we already know that Christ wins. We know that the church will last because we know what Christ has promised us, and that frees us from any fear of the church dying. Thanks for claiming emergence and at the same time expressing that confidence in Christ that sometimes seems lacking in emergent leaders.

    In Christ,
    Kyle

  • Hmm....thought provoking...good blog....

    @llison

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