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The Church in Transition: The Journey of Existing Churches into the Emerging Culture
The Journey of Existing Churches into the Emerging Culture In our fast-growing post-Christian, postmodern culture, the church often finds itself marginalized and ineffective in mission. The new emerging church is both hopeful and frightening compared to more traditional forms of Christianity. However, these “two churches” need each other. The Church in Transition presents honest stories of the failures and successes of a variety of transitioning fellowships.
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 3, 2008
What an absolutely incredible book. Page after page I was literal glued to what he was communicating. I took two weeks to read this book (instead of one - which is okay, i have a few extra weeks built into my reading plan for the year) - which normally would allow more time for digestion; however, a number of things went on in this two week period which made for reading that was spaced a little too far apart. Upfront let me say that this is one book that will be on my reading list for next year. It is that good and insightful. This is one of two books that I wish I had about 3 years ago in a previous life (metaphorically of course). The other being, Well Intentioned Dragons: Ministering to Problem People in Your Church.
Chapters 2-4 deal with the “Seven Deadly Fears and Seven Essential Conversations.” And within this context deals with such things as culture and the gospel, scriptures and ethics, and christian traditions. He deals with the idea that the method and message have never been culture free. Our understanding and communication of this wonderful message of Jesus has always been linked to the culture we find ourselves in. The message (for right or wrong, good or bad) is always shaped/changed according to our interests, worldview, prejudices, etc. Just look at modern, western churches. Salvation is very personal and private. That feeds off of our value, and cultural idol, of individualism. Yet, biblically there is more said about salvation being communal and public. Another idea in this section is, ‘the loss of tradition.’ Yet he writes, “typically, when we decry the loss of tradition, we mean we’re losing the way things used to be done around here - at least in the recent past….our primary resistance to change stems from the fact we don’t feel comfortable with transition. Comfort and safety are two of our most common, unspoken values.” And then the clincher, “in certain circumstances each can be appropriate, BUT NEITHER ONE IS A BIBLICALLY ORDAINED ‘GIVEN’ IN OUR LIVES OF FAITH AND COMMUNITY.” So you see, safety and comfort are two American values…and for so long chuches operated (and still do) under the banner of safety and comfort - it has tainted how we view the message of God. Since when is what God calls us to corporately or individual always safe or comfortable?
He takes a chapter and talks about “Transition in Community Formation.” So many people today complain that the church has lost her voice in contemporary culture. What they mean is that we don’t have the same influence, primarily, politically that we used to. That our nation was founded on Christian principles and everything is just going to hell today because we can’t pray in school, post the 10 commandments. We need a Christian president, Christian judges, Christian this or that…….but yet, and this is what many people miss, with this marginilization comes the freedom of the church being able to be the church again! The question according to Rodney Clapp used to be, “How can we survive and remain faithful Christians under Ceasar?” to “How can we adjust the church’s expectations so Caesar can consider himself a faithful Christian?” to “How can we create a community identity distinct from our surrounding culture, yet retain our favored status?” Yet what Clapp gets at is this: we don’t have favored status anymore, we are aliens and strangers and because of that we have the ability to pursue what God has truly called us to be.
Isn’t it ironic that so many people will sing of this place not being there home, they are just passing through, etc., yet, they are trying to make the layover as comfortable, safe, convienent, and to their benefit as possible? Hmm. Is this a case we’re we have changed the message of God? I had a guy tell me once that he thought i was not only changing the method but the message in my preaching. And you know what? I think I was. Thankfully! My message was saying you don’t have to vote republican to be a christian, that God cares about social issues and we should too, that God embraces everybody not just people who look, think, act, vote, dress just like us, that our church would welcome people whose lifestyles didn’t match ours…not that we would approve of their choices but because they are made in the image of God and worthy of our love and compassion, knowing that we all make choices that go against what God wants for and from our lives. The message that this guy thought i was changing was ‘God’s Word.’ But really I was challenging his understanding of the message that had been wrapped in the cultural context he grew up in, his own prejudices and worldview. He wanted a safe gospel, I wanted a gospel that challenged us to the core. Whose message was actually changed?
He deals with the ideas of being missional, and the transition in worship. Along the way he makes comments that are sure to challenge and provoke discussion. But needed discussion. There is a change happening in culture/society. And it profoundly affects the church. And if the church is going to be faithful to her calling she will need to adapt, change, retain that which is good and right, strip herself of unneeded baggage and concern and learn to live as aliens and strangers once again. Tim Condor is a good and needed guide that will inspire and challenge us all in this time of transition.
Chapters 2-4 deal with the “Seven Deadly Fears and Seven Essential Conversations.” And within this context deals with such things as culture and the gospel, scriptures and ethics, and christian traditions. He deals with the idea that the method and message have never been culture free. Our understanding and communication of this wonderful message of Jesus has always been linked to the culture we find ourselves in. The message (for right or wrong, good or bad) is always shaped/changed according to our interests, worldview, prejudices, etc. Just look at modern, western churches. Salvation is very personal and private. That feeds off of our value, and cultural idol, of individualism. Yet, biblically there is more said about salvation being communal and public. Another idea in this section is, ‘the loss of tradition.’ Yet he writes, “typically, when we decry the loss of tradition, we mean we’re losing the way things used to be done around here - at least in the recent past….our primary resistance to change stems from the fact we don’t feel comfortable with transition. Comfort and safety are two of our most common, unspoken values.” And then the clincher, “in certain circumstances each can be appropriate, BUT NEITHER ONE IS A BIBLICALLY ORDAINED ‘GIVEN’ IN OUR LIVES OF FAITH AND COMMUNITY.” So you see, safety and comfort are two American values…and for so long chuches operated (and still do) under the banner of safety and comfort - it has tainted how we view the message of God. Since when is what God calls us to corporately or individual always safe or comfortable?
He takes a chapter and talks about “Transition in Community Formation.” So many people today complain that the church has lost her voice in contemporary culture. What they mean is that we don’t have the same influence, primarily, politically that we used to. That our nation was founded on Christian principles and everything is just going to hell today because we can’t pray in school, post the 10 commandments. We need a Christian president, Christian judges, Christian this or that…….but yet, and this is what many people miss, with this marginilization comes the freedom of the church being able to be the church again! The question according to Rodney Clapp used to be, “How can we survive and remain faithful Christians under Ceasar?” to “How can we adjust the church’s expectations so Caesar can consider himself a faithful Christian?” to “How can we create a community identity distinct from our surrounding culture, yet retain our favored status?” Yet what Clapp gets at is this: we don’t have favored status anymore, we are aliens and strangers and because of that we have the ability to pursue what God has truly called us to be.
Isn’t it ironic that so many people will sing of this place not being there home, they are just passing through, etc., yet, they are trying to make the layover as comfortable, safe, convienent, and to their benefit as possible? Hmm. Is this a case we’re we have changed the message of God? I had a guy tell me once that he thought i was not only changing the method but the message in my preaching. And you know what? I think I was. Thankfully! My message was saying you don’t have to vote republican to be a christian, that God cares about social issues and we should too, that God embraces everybody not just people who look, think, act, vote, dress just like us, that our church would welcome people whose lifestyles didn’t match ours…not that we would approve of their choices but because they are made in the image of God and worthy of our love and compassion, knowing that we all make choices that go against what God wants for and from our lives. The message that this guy thought i was changing was ‘God’s Word.’ But really I was challenging his understanding of the message that had been wrapped in the cultural context he grew up in, his own prejudices and worldview. He wanted a safe gospel, I wanted a gospel that challenged us to the core. Whose message was actually changed?
He deals with the ideas of being missional, and the transition in worship. Along the way he makes comments that are sure to challenge and provoke discussion. But needed discussion. There is a change happening in culture/society. And it profoundly affects the church. And if the church is going to be faithful to her calling she will need to adapt, change, retain that which is good and right, strip herself of unneeded baggage and concern and learn to live as aliens and strangers once again. Tim Condor is a good and needed guide that will inspire and challenge us all in this time of transition.
September 10, 2008
A really good book for those in existing churches that are facing the reality that the world is changing around them and they have lost their voice.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews