I was talking with a friend recently about issues of denominations, interdenominational fellowships, non-denominational congregations and the like.  We were discussing the benefits and possible detriments of each.  This conversation took place on the heels of a project that I’ve been working on in 1 and 2 Corinthians.

Throughout the Corinthian correspondence, the author, Paul, has been dealing with various in-your-face, nitty-gritty pastoral issues, which require a firm yet tactful approach.  The Christlike heart of the apostle bleeds through his exhortations, admonitions and rhetorical prowess, thereby calling the Corinthian believers to reevaluate their relations with God, others in the faith family, as well as unbelievers.  One thing that stood out to me during this study is how oftentimes we miss the big picture of following Jesus as part of a larger community.  It’s easier uncritically to subscribe to popular labels by which we derive a sense of belongingness and then to allow such identity-markers (be it theological labels, denominational affiliations, patriotic platforms, etc.) to trump the dynamic call to follow Jesus in every area of one’s life. Yet, with Jesus as our Lord, where else should we derive our ultimate sense of idenity other than Him?

Granted, it would be much easier if personal piety were the only requirement in Kingdom living.  And this isn’t to knock personal, pietistic commitments which we have adopted as essential in our lives.  The problem arises when our understanding of “Christian spirituality” becomes weighed down with inwardly focused, performance-driven, non-Christlike lifestyles.  And I’m speaking of myself more than any other.

It reminds me of a movie we recently watched called Forever Strong.  The main character in the movie grew to realize how life is directly connected to the well-being of others.  It’s not about being the star of the show (he was a strong rugby player who was the one who scored most of the points).  It’s about winning as a team.  If we embrace a similar mindset in the church (which is actually the NT witness of being the people of God), then we grow to realize that at the heart of following Jesus is the well-being of others (“saved” or “unsaved”).

As I was studying 1 and 2 Corinthians, I was greatly impressed with how Paul, who had every right to demand the privileges of an apostle (e.g. not having to work another job for money), laid down his rights for the well-being of the community.  And this community included many people who were obviously influenced by those who opposed Paul and his ministry.  Yet, the apostle’s “spirituality” was outwardly focused, Spirit empowered and Christ-centered.  His ministry was characterized by selflessness and suffering love.

And in a society where the label “Pentecostal” is oftentimes loosely connected with such selfless and love-infused ministry like Paul’s, I wonder what would happen if we truly grabbed hold of “Pentecostal fire” and were filled with the Spirit of Christ.  Would there be room for hero worship, individualism, and narcissism in our local assemblies?  Would it redefine our understanding of “missions” and possibly critique our certainties regarding spirituality and grace?

Late night musings,  :sleeping:

Shannon

I‘ve been fighting this allergy / sinus funk for several days now.  This morning I broke down and went to the doctor.  Sure enough, I’m allergic to nearly everything that is out and about for the next month or so (living in Pollen, AL).  Got some nose spray, antibiotics, antihistamine/decongestant and a steroid shot.  Hope to be rid of this crud in the next few days.

On the upside, these last few days have been an opportunity to finish up Mere Discipleship by Lee C. Camp, as well as listen to the videos from Woodland Hills Bridge (see my last post).  I think Camp’s book should be read by everyone upon entering God’s Kingdom (especially in the Western world).  He has a knack for confronting many things which plague the church in America (even our own congregation).  The read is very accessible and has a helpful study guide in the back (with chapter summaries, discussion questions, and recommended readings).  I hope to revisit the study with a friend who is purchasing the book soon.

The next few months should be quite eventful.  I’m still studying for the GRE, which I hope to take in August.  As most know, the GRE includes the horrible four letter word… MATH!  Thankfully, I spend most of my time with someone who knows quite a bit about the subject (lol).  Dee has fit me in her schedule for math sessions.  Which is really cool considering she has a way of making the craziest math insights (and jokes) accessible for the hubby.  Her incredible genius combined with her God-given patience gives me hope. 

While preparing for the GRE, I’m also trying to get two more languages under my belt, which should help in my application for a PhD program.  I’m interested in the field of Christian Ethics (maybe getting into a program in Fall 2010).  Further, we’re scheduled to be in several ministry services next month at SMCoG; and, hopefully, another church in the area come June.  It’ll be good to visit Georgia.

D and I are still teaching students on Wednesday nights at ACoG, and I’m still researching a possible 2-year curriculum which will help add proportionality to our theological trek.  I’ve been wondering a lot about the direction of our sessions (a.k.a. Kingdom Seminars).  One of the challenges of student ministry (and any ministry for that matter) is getting a good mix of enjoyable activities (conducive to fruitful fellowship) while, at the same time, teaching the students the called-for commitment of discipleship.  How discipleship is more than “coming to church,” or having an “awesome event.”  I’m afraid that many of our ministries expect too much from big gatherings (whether it’s Winterfest, sports teams or youth “rallies”.)  What is the lasting fruit of such things?  I’m not saying “throw the baby out with the bath water.”  Only, are we really learning what it means to live a life in submission to the Lordship of Jesus?  Have we embraced the challenge of going beyond ourselves (e.g. in our preferences for church events) and caught on to the mission of God’s Spirit in everyday relationships in which we share the love of Jesus with those around us?  I digress…

Dee has comprehensive exams this summer.  Although she is at the half-way point of her PhD studies, she has to pass these exams to be officially considered for candidacy.  I’m sure she will do fine.  However, she doesn’t enjoy the tests (who would?).  So, please keep her in your prayers.  Let’s see, what else is going on?  Well, I’ve got an interview this week about a possible (hospice) chaplaincy job.  Not sure how this will turn out.  I’m hoping to hear back from some other apps as well (in the teaching field).  We’re praying for the Lord’s guidance.

Blessings,

Shannon

I would like to unpack a bit further the issue of our last post (Sunday-Monday divide).  I appreciate the comments shared thus far.  The replies have been very helpful.  Sonny brought out a good point concerning the transition that occurred in the church’s identity during and after the time of Constantine.  For those who are unfamiliar, Constantine (ca. 272-337 CE) was a Roman emperor who allegedly had a vision that instructed him to draw the symbol Chi Rho (the first two letters of the word “Christ” in Greek, as seen in the picture above) on his soldiers’ shields during the battle of the Milvian Bridge, Oct. 312 CE.  It is said that in the vision Constantine was instructed, “By this sign you shall conquer.”¹

After emerging victorious in this battle, Constantine attributed the victory to the God of the Christians.  Thus, he and his co-emperor at the time, Licinius, issued what is known as the edict of Milan in 313 CE, which called for religious toleration throughout the empire.²  Until this time, as Sonny mentioned, the Christians were a suffering, persecuted minority.  However, after this edict, Christianity began to take on a more respectable, prominent role in the empire.  That’s a good thing, right?  Not necessarily.

Slowly but surely, the church, in her identity and purpose, began to merge with the empire.  And by the end of the 4th century CE, “the emperor Theodosius finalized the conquest of Christianity, making the faith of the Christians the only legal religion in the empire… The Church had arrived, or so it appeared.  Thus arose ‘Christendom’ – an alliance between church and empire.”³  After this transition, the church began to define the faith in a more compartmentalized manner.  If the empire is understood to be “Christian” and many of its members, for the most part, live in an un-Christlike manner, then discipleship (living under Jesus’ lordship) is emphasized less and less in teaching what it means to be “saved”.  And when one falls prey to the myth of a Christian “religion,” acknowledging proper teachings/doctrines takes precedence over entering a new way of life (now lived in allegiance to Jesus).  Thus, we divorce what we “believe” from how we live.  And as Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.”

As Jeremy, Mike, Dee and Jason have also alluded, salvation entails more than simply claiming to be a “Christian” by title, church membership, and/or experience (e.g. saying the “sinner’s prayer” however many years past).  Not to belittle the relevance of admitting to others (verbally) that we are “Christians,” being part of a local assembly, or surrendering one’s life to Christ in prayer – at the heart of “salvation” in the New Testament is “to participate in the kingdom of God, that long-awaited rule of God, in which the rebellion, with its corollaries of lust and violence and greed and self-seeking, is undone.”4  And, in order to participate in God’s Kingdom, there has to be a change brought about in a person’s life.  He or she must “repent” of the old world order and, by faith, pledge his or her life to Christ.

Such a faith-commitment means that one no longer lives in accordance with the rebellious worldly system (cf. Rom 12.2).  By the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, we surrender each area of our lives to Jesus’ lordship.  Meaning, all of life is sacred or lived out “as unto the Lord.”  As followers of Christ, it is important to realize that our relationship with God is inextricably connected with our relationship with others (even our enemies!).  That at the heart of being witnesses of Jesus is living and loving as Jesus did.  We enter into a Christlike, Spirit-empowered life of love for God and others.  And, of course, we don’t do this by our own strength or smarts.  It is through the empowering grace of God that we enter into this new order; a way of life inaugurated by our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Shannon

¹ Lee C. Camp, Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2008), pp. 25-27.

² See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_I

³ Camp, Mere Discipleship, p. 26.

4 Ibid., p. 81.

Recently, I read a thought-provoking article by John Ortberg called, “Your Hidden Curriculum,” found in the winter 2009 volume of Leadership Journal (a good journal I might add that can be found at Barnes & Noble). Below the title, Ortberg asks – “What do people learn from you about the Christian life?  Sometimes it’s what you never intended to teach.”  The author contends that if there ever is a contradiction between our “formal curriculum” (small group studies, sermons, lessons on prayer, etc.) and our “hidden curriculum,” folks always believe the “hidden curriculum.”  He describes the hidden curriculum of a church as

“Who gets fawned over, and who gets ignored?  How do the staff and leaders get along when they’re off the platform and think nobody’s looking?  How does a small group respond when someone shares a problem that is untidy and unresolved?  Do leaders respond with panic or irritation or confidence or gentleness when a problem strikes?  When there is a conflict, do people face it head on or go into avoidance mode?  Does the church staff run on fear?” (p. 50) 

A few months back, some dear friends of ours visited from Georgia. We were hanging out in the living room for some good ole’ conversation over coffee (or soda for some).  Knowing that the couple recently relocated, I asked if they had yet to find a local church.  The young lady shared with us how she and her husband visited several churches.  One particular congregation (of the same denomination of which they were part in their last locale) seemed to be very promising at first.  However, after the announcements were given before the congregation, our friend said that she was greatly dissatisfied with how inwardly-focused the church was.  

Now, if you took a sweeping glance in the bulletin, there seemed to be no way to arrive at such a conclusion.  There were all kinds of “ministry groups,” “community projects,” etc. that had the trappings of a “successful” church.  But our friends heard and observed something different than what was listed in the bulletin (or on the church website).  They observed folks talking about various fellowships, get-togethers, luncheons, trips, etc. that centered around the satisfaction of those attending.  What was missing was a missional message laced within the conversations and actions of those attending, particularly the leadership.  

Thankfully, our friends did in fact find a local assembly in which to participate; one whose body-life looked more like that of Jesus. However, this conversation, coupled with Ortberg’s article, sparked some questions in my own mind about the traditioning (discipleship) of the church.  What exactly are we passing on?  What legacy of love are our children learning?  If we slow down a bit and prayerfully observe our attitudes, actions, conversations and vision, are we leading people in the way that Jesus is the Way?  Eugene Peterson’s excellent work, The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways that Jesus is the Way, highlights the ways by which Christ embodied the way of salvation.  It’s an interesting and helpful critique.  

• Do I affirm undying love for Jesus but treat others around me in an unChristlike manner?
• If I claim to love all persons, do I surround myself with friends who are only like me?
• Do I profess that all persons are important and then rush past everyone without slowing to hear their concerns?
• Do I preach reckless abandon in worship and then hoard my resources and satisfy my own impulses for stuff?
• Am I undermining God’s love for all by my negative conversations and snide remarks concerning others?
• Do I pray at home with my family or only at church when called upon?

Asking myself these questions and more,

Shannon