What is church?
Neil Cole, a pastor and speaker, offers some thoughts on the subject in an article called "Organic Church." (This article was originally written from a missiological strategist viewpoint--e.g. separating church from the influence of culture--but in this blog entry I only intended to provide thoughts on church in a general manner) Following are some excerpts from his writings.
Neil says, "I went to my peers and leaders, asking them in all sincerity, 'What is church?...' Oh sure, we all know what our traditions are. We speak as though we obviously know the answer to this question. But in reality, we found that many of us hadn't taken a moment to ask the question. Rather than starting with the question of what church is, we had been asking how to make churches bigger or better or how to start more of them. The temptation is to define 'church' according to our own experience. We think we know something because of familiarity... It is much more vital to look at scripture with honesty and courage as we try to define 'church...'"
"...I have come to understand church as this: the presence of Jesus among His people called out as a spiritual family to pursue His mission on this planet. Granted, this is quite broad, but I like a broad definition of church. The Scriptures don't give a precise definition, so I'm not going to do what God has not done. I want something that captures what the Scriptures say about the Kingdom of God... His presence must be an important element of church... To a disobedient and unhealthy church, Jesus threatens to remove the lampstand (representing the church) from the presence of Jesus. The presence of Jesus is crucial to what church is. His presence is life; His absence is death. He is the most essential portion of who and what we are..."
"...We've come to refer to some of the ideals of church planting movements as an 'organic church.' By organic, I don't mean that it is pesticide free. It's a matter of churches being alive and vibrant as living organisms. [[The core reality is not how the followers are organized, discipled, or helped. The core reality is Jesus being followed, loved, and obeyed.]] (emphasis mine) Christ alive, forming spiritual families and working with them to fulfill His mission, is the living reality of the organic church. The church is really an embodiment of the risen Jesus..."
"...Our mission is to find and develop Christ followers rather than church members. There is a big difference in these two outcomes. The difference is seen in transformed lives that bring change to neighborhoods and nations. Simply gathering a group of people who subscribe to a common set of beliefs is not worthy of Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us.[[ We have planted religious organizations rather than planting the powerful presence of Christ...]]" (again, emphasis mine)
As usual, I would love to hear any of your comments. More thoughts on this topic are likely to be posted at a later date.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
3/30
First of all, I really do apologize, to anyone who may happen to read my musings, for the long silence. I'm still getting used to this blogging business. Furthermore, I think my supposed readers should understand that my blog may meander from its original "intent." Most of the time it will probably pertain to culture in some way--and perhaps even a foreign culture--because the subject just holds my fascination so well. But, all things considered, maybe I should just be smart about it and say que sera, sera.
Sigh... on to bigger and better thoughts. Awhile ago a friend asked if I believe in a social gospel. Hmmmm... about the best thing I could come up with at the time was, "That is not a three-minute conversation." :) (We were a little limited on time) Perhaps I could do a bit better now though.
Do I believe in a social gospel?
Well, isn't it interesting... one time (quite a while ago)I read a book (can't remember the title or author's name right now) wherein the author observed the Bible's seemingly blase acceptance of slavery. He pointed out that this is surprising to many modern thinkers, who would have expected Jesus (and any of His disciples/current followers) to violently oppose such an obviously inhumane and unjust institution. "Humans can be the property of other humans" doesn't seem to fit with other messages in scripture. Just a couple of examples--in Galatians 3:28 Paul writes, "There is no longer Jew nor Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians--you are all one in Christ Jesus." Psalm 12:5 reads, "Because of the oppression of the weak and groaning of the needy, I will now arise, says the Lord. I will protect them from those who malign them." Amos 5:22-24 addresses some people who assumed and promoted a strong religious identity but in actuality offended God by taking advantage of and oppressing the poor. It says, "Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream."
Don't those verses sound a little more like what we would anticipate from a God who claims to embody love??
A worthy question. As justified as it is, though, I think it misses the point.
The point is this: God's [primary] concern was never to emancipate man from the yoke of slavery, or to deliver man from unfair discrimination or the very real abomination of ethnic cleansing. Although it is certainly not God's desire for man to suffer under any of those circumstances, His [primary concern] was always [to save man from his sin.]
The point is that the [gospel's effective power] is such that a man's arms and legs may be locked in iron chains--while his soul is free indeed. The power of the gospel is such that men can willingly and even happily go to their tortures and deaths--because they have already died to everything but Christ. And simultaneously, in Christ [alone], they live forever.
----
Let's look at it from the other side of the coin though--through the lens of society. Let's say it is absolutely wrong for genocide to exist in a society. Oppression. Injustice. Apartheid--any of these things are just obviously unacceptable. Someone has to do something about this... and if God won't, men will.
One such man was Kwame Nkrumah. His entire life centered around liberating the African country of Ghana (Gold Coast) from Britain's rule--and in doing so, he hoped to generate a movement of liberation across the entire African continent, from various world powers (mainly Britain and France) whose presence had become a widespread source of disdain.
In the extremely transient climate that typifies many parts of Africa, Nkrumah was an overnight celebrity. Literally. One day he was in prison, and the next he was elected prime minister of the Gold Coast.
And I think it took me reading this to really, truly appreciate the importance of necessary order with regard to societal reform--(in other words, the gospel must come first) see, most of Africa (in addition to being continuously washed over with change) is preoccupied with spirituality. Every movement that can be perceived as good or hopeful has spiritual overtones, most of them not at all subtle. Nkrumah, in his sprint for independence, was given titles like "Man of Destiny" and "Star of Africa." People began to believe he was a prophet and that he possessed super-human abilities. Nkrumah himself was quoted saying, "Seek the political kingdom and all else will follow." Like, woah. Blatant biblical allusion, yes???
In his single-mindedness, after years of tireless work, Nkrumah received his reward. The Gold Coast was liberated from Britain's control on March 6th, 1957, and became the African nation of Ghana. It exists under the same name today. But one thing should be noted: Kwame Nkrumah made Ghana independent. [Not free.]
So once again, the point is this: History has seen many Nkrumahs. But [there is only one Christ.] Victory on the political scene cannot and does not compare to spiritual salvation.
Like a space heater radiating warmth, the gospel transforms individuals and societies from the inside out. That order is absolutely critical.
If you put the cart before the horse... well, things are just backwards. Plus. Good luck getting where you're trying to go.
Sigh... on to bigger and better thoughts. Awhile ago a friend asked if I believe in a social gospel. Hmmmm... about the best thing I could come up with at the time was, "That is not a three-minute conversation." :) (We were a little limited on time) Perhaps I could do a bit better now though.
Do I believe in a social gospel?
Well, isn't it interesting... one time (quite a while ago)I read a book (can't remember the title or author's name right now) wherein the author observed the Bible's seemingly blase acceptance of slavery. He pointed out that this is surprising to many modern thinkers, who would have expected Jesus (and any of His disciples/current followers) to violently oppose such an obviously inhumane and unjust institution. "Humans can be the property of other humans" doesn't seem to fit with other messages in scripture. Just a couple of examples--in Galatians 3:28 Paul writes, "There is no longer Jew nor Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians--you are all one in Christ Jesus." Psalm 12:5 reads, "Because of the oppression of the weak and groaning of the needy, I will now arise, says the Lord. I will protect them from those who malign them." Amos 5:22-24 addresses some people who assumed and promoted a strong religious identity but in actuality offended God by taking advantage of and oppressing the poor. It says, "Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream."
Don't those verses sound a little more like what we would anticipate from a God who claims to embody love??
A worthy question. As justified as it is, though, I think it misses the point.
The point is this: God's [primary] concern was never to emancipate man from the yoke of slavery, or to deliver man from unfair discrimination or the very real abomination of ethnic cleansing. Although it is certainly not God's desire for man to suffer under any of those circumstances, His [primary concern] was always [to save man from his sin.]
The point is that the [gospel's effective power] is such that a man's arms and legs may be locked in iron chains--while his soul is free indeed. The power of the gospel is such that men can willingly and even happily go to their tortures and deaths--because they have already died to everything but Christ. And simultaneously, in Christ [alone], they live forever.
----
Let's look at it from the other side of the coin though--through the lens of society. Let's say it is absolutely wrong for genocide to exist in a society. Oppression. Injustice. Apartheid--any of these things are just obviously unacceptable. Someone has to do something about this... and if God won't, men will.
One such man was Kwame Nkrumah. His entire life centered around liberating the African country of Ghana (Gold Coast) from Britain's rule--and in doing so, he hoped to generate a movement of liberation across the entire African continent, from various world powers (mainly Britain and France) whose presence had become a widespread source of disdain.
In the extremely transient climate that typifies many parts of Africa, Nkrumah was an overnight celebrity. Literally. One day he was in prison, and the next he was elected prime minister of the Gold Coast.
And I think it took me reading this to really, truly appreciate the importance of necessary order with regard to societal reform--(in other words, the gospel must come first) see, most of Africa (in addition to being continuously washed over with change) is preoccupied with spirituality. Every movement that can be perceived as good or hopeful has spiritual overtones, most of them not at all subtle. Nkrumah, in his sprint for independence, was given titles like "Man of Destiny" and "Star of Africa." People began to believe he was a prophet and that he possessed super-human abilities. Nkrumah himself was quoted saying, "Seek the political kingdom and all else will follow." Like, woah. Blatant biblical allusion, yes???
In his single-mindedness, after years of tireless work, Nkrumah received his reward. The Gold Coast was liberated from Britain's control on March 6th, 1957, and became the African nation of Ghana. It exists under the same name today. But one thing should be noted: Kwame Nkrumah made Ghana independent. [Not free.]
So once again, the point is this: History has seen many Nkrumahs. But [there is only one Christ.] Victory on the political scene cannot and does not compare to spiritual salvation.
Like a space heater radiating warmth, the gospel transforms individuals and societies from the inside out. That order is absolutely critical.
If you put the cart before the horse... well, things are just backwards. Plus. Good luck getting where you're trying to go.
Friday, February 26, 2010
2/26
A couple of windows into Haiti... (*note: both of these articles were written before the January 2010 earthquakes. Haiti's desperation has, in fact, been a long-standing rather than recent problem)
http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/haiti/misctopic/leftover/whypoor.htm
Above is a link to a very informative (although a bit long) article on Haiti's extreme poverty and some of the causes and contributing factors embedded within it.
Below is another link (considerably shorter) in which an American journalist describes his experience with the Haitian slave trade.
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/buy-child-10-hours/story?id=5326508
Shall we venture out together, and try to understand?
Then perhaps we could do something to help.
http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/haiti/misctopic/leftover/whypoor.htm
Above is a link to a very informative (although a bit long) article on Haiti's extreme poverty and some of the causes and contributing factors embedded within it.
Below is another link (considerably shorter) in which an American journalist describes his experience with the Haitian slave trade.
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/buy-child-10-hours/story?id=5326508
Shall we venture out together, and try to understand?
Then perhaps we could do something to help.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
1/30
"Ex Africa, semper aliquid novi."
Out of Africa, always something new.
A book I am currently reading contains this phrase on the dedication page. To me, it was refreshing--I was transfixed by the thought... It was unlikely, in my mind, that a work entitled "The Fate of Africa" would also speak of newness.
It is possible, of course, that its intended meaning was not at all what I took it to be. The saying could have merely been referring to Africa's turbulent history--in a place of such political instability--change, (and therefore relative newness) whether for better or worse, takes place almost daily. Maybe it's only my inner optimist that associates "something new" with... the hope that mistakes made yesterday don't necessarily condemn today for us--and certainly not all our tomorrows.
-
You may notice my blog address is "backtomarialbai.blogspot.com." The significance of this actually came from another book; when I was a freshman in college at The Ohio State University, my english section was required to read "What is the What." The embellished biography chronicled some of the struggles and problems contained within southern Sudan in the last decade or so. Marial Bai was the innocent "before;" the quiet African village where the book's subject grew up. Then, an age-old story of greed for power and supremacy disrupted the serenity--there were guns and bombs and hungry lions and starving boys and refugee camps... This blog will be dedicated to finding something new after all the rubble--not that the past can be undone--but I believe a place of innocence and serenity may be found again.
So by now you are probably thinking this blog is going to be all about Africa. Allow me to clarify that a bit... You see, I am (admittedly) supremely interested in the continent of Africa. I am drawn to it--but it's what's in Africa that I find so fascinating... It is a nation of extremes. A land mass filled with violence and desperation--but also with color, and soulful beauty, and determination... a nation of stories--and this is where it becomes somewhat metaphorical--in Africa I find endless expressions of the human condition.
Recently I've taken some sort of loose partnership with a blossoming organization called Loving Shepherd Ministries. Currently operating primarily out of both Haiti (which is somewhat similar to Africa in culture & infrastructure) and Ethiopia, LSM focuses mainly on providing homes for orphans and at-risk children, and pulling women from the sex trade. I agreed to take part in some work that's going to expose me to some undesirable facts of life in Haiti--and this blog will hopefully follow me on some parts of my journey. I want to use what I see and learn to help people--especially those who are broken; I want them to see how they can be built again in Christ. As I delve farther and farther into my study of culture and history and destitute places... I have no idea what I'll encounter. I'm sure at some points I'll come face to face with the kind of pain that changes you forever. But in the end, I'll smile and write you music--because I believe, even out of the most horrible things... in the end, there is only goodness.
I believe that because after all, God is sovereign.
Because He ultimately defeats all things, because at the end of everything there is only an empty tomb... Semper aliquid novi.
My hope has no end.
Out of Africa, always something new.
A book I am currently reading contains this phrase on the dedication page. To me, it was refreshing--I was transfixed by the thought... It was unlikely, in my mind, that a work entitled "The Fate of Africa" would also speak of newness.
It is possible, of course, that its intended meaning was not at all what I took it to be. The saying could have merely been referring to Africa's turbulent history--in a place of such political instability--change, (and therefore relative newness) whether for better or worse, takes place almost daily. Maybe it's only my inner optimist that associates "something new" with... the hope that mistakes made yesterday don't necessarily condemn today for us--and certainly not all our tomorrows.
-
You may notice my blog address is "backtomarialbai.blogspot.com." The significance of this actually came from another book; when I was a freshman in college at The Ohio State University, my english section was required to read "What is the What." The embellished biography chronicled some of the struggles and problems contained within southern Sudan in the last decade or so. Marial Bai was the innocent "before;" the quiet African village where the book's subject grew up. Then, an age-old story of greed for power and supremacy disrupted the serenity--there were guns and bombs and hungry lions and starving boys and refugee camps... This blog will be dedicated to finding something new after all the rubble--not that the past can be undone--but I believe a place of innocence and serenity may be found again.
So by now you are probably thinking this blog is going to be all about Africa. Allow me to clarify that a bit... You see, I am (admittedly) supremely interested in the continent of Africa. I am drawn to it--but it's what's in Africa that I find so fascinating... It is a nation of extremes. A land mass filled with violence and desperation--but also with color, and soulful beauty, and determination... a nation of stories--and this is where it becomes somewhat metaphorical--in Africa I find endless expressions of the human condition.
Recently I've taken some sort of loose partnership with a blossoming organization called Loving Shepherd Ministries. Currently operating primarily out of both Haiti (which is somewhat similar to Africa in culture & infrastructure) and Ethiopia, LSM focuses mainly on providing homes for orphans and at-risk children, and pulling women from the sex trade. I agreed to take part in some work that's going to expose me to some undesirable facts of life in Haiti--and this blog will hopefully follow me on some parts of my journey. I want to use what I see and learn to help people--especially those who are broken; I want them to see how they can be built again in Christ. As I delve farther and farther into my study of culture and history and destitute places... I have no idea what I'll encounter. I'm sure at some points I'll come face to face with the kind of pain that changes you forever. But in the end, I'll smile and write you music--because I believe, even out of the most horrible things... in the end, there is only goodness.
I believe that because after all, God is sovereign.
Because He ultimately defeats all things, because at the end of everything there is only an empty tomb... Semper aliquid novi.
My hope has no end.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
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