It strikes me!
It strikes me odd that there is a growing tension between Missional disciple driven/making movements and traditional American ways of doing church/ministry.
Do you think this is normal and healthy and why?
posted by Bob Carder @ 1:44 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
I am finding a huge tension when I share with those who are locked into a traditional church. I find that they feel one of two ways:
1) that we in missional/disciplemaking/emergent (insert label here) are calling their faith less than ours, that we feel they are doing something wrong;
and 2) that we are doing something wrong, that the institutional church is "the church" and what we are doing is somehow heretical, like we have left the faith.
I have found few who were open to a deeper intimacy with God and other believers. I have found some but not nearly as many as I had hoped. While I can honestly say what we are doing is scriptural, many dont sem to care about that as much as they do it falling in line with their traditional mindset of what church should be.
I will say that I have a much greater response with the "unchurched/dechurched" than with those who are currently institutional.
I hear a lot of "my pastor just preached about that last Sunday" and I ask how is it modeled in your church... the response is always "I really dont know" or "we have cell groups" but usually when honest answers do come most say it is not modeled in their current institutional church.
Carl, I'm in Portland but I still want you to meet with Terry and I soon. Can you drive part way to meet us soon? How about coming this Saturday to S.L. to see what we are doing?
When I set out in ministry as a newly called servant in the Kingdom, I had visions of grandeur that were going to knock the traditional view of ministry of it's ear. Unfortunately, time has proven that the traditional church as a very adversarial foe and it has kept me from ministering, let alone being an avenue for any of the changes I felt so strongly led to. Now, seven years later, I struggle to even find a satisfactory church home for my family, struggle with unemployment as I prepared myself for ministry, not the secular business world, and struggle with now hearing that still-small voice that once was a loud speaker in my head. I need to find some backing that will show me where the volume button is so I can find a way to turn that still-small voice back into a raucous announcement to the world!
Jim in Winter Haven, FL
Should I bring my guitfiddle? (thats hickspeak for guitar)... I will talk to my wife and see if we can pull it off. Finances and timetable will play a fator I'm sure
Jim, I have heard and also hear stories like yours over an dover again. You are not a minority but instead a majority among those prepared but stuck for a variety of reasons.
I would love to connect with you via email: bcarder@centurytel.net
it's because it seems so confrontational. you guys in the traditional church are wrong, we are right. change, now.
i'd show tension, too.
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