How then should we preach?

CHOG blogger, David Owens, in Message in a Bottle has posted a review of Preaching Re-Imagined by Doug Pagitt, a leader in the Emergent movement.

 

The topic of preaching is an important one during these shifting times, as we seriously address the ways that truth is communicated. I remain convinced that preaching is still essential and powerful, but recognize that many of the models familiar to our own movement are increasingly ineffective among the people to which we wish to minister. I struggle with this myself, as I am sure many of you do. While I haven't read Pagitt's book, I affirm that it has to be much more than just a shift in methodology. Unfortunately, however, we tend to be always looking for that magic formula that will revolutionize, and fail to see the importance of our own spiritual formation and the dialogue that is required within our local context.

 

I invite you to leave comments regarding your perceptions of preaching today, including examples and resources that you find helpful.

 

While I am far from having figured this all out, let me offer a few initial thoughts for those of us who preach:

 

First, utilizing the power of the Internet, take advantage of the opportunity to listen to a wide variety of other preachers. Many churches now offer audio archives of their sermons, some even in podcasting format. Don't try to copy what they do (because in most cases it will incongruous to who you are and where you preach), but expand your preaching horizons. On my blog page you will find a small, but growing list of Church of God podcasts. Of course, there are excellent preachers outside of our movement too. Among others, I regularly listen to Rob Bell (Mars Hill Church, Grand Rapids, MI) and Bruxy Cavey (The Meeting House, Oakville, ON, Canada).

 

Second, get into the mind and heart of other preachers. Build relationships with some, or connect with those you respect. This could be someone in your neighborhood, a friend online, or even through the blog of a preacher. Discover how they are wrestling with preaching in their own ministry. An excellent blog is Odyssey by Chris Erdman, who has recently written some profound stuff on the topic of preaching.

 

 

Mission idea

It's great to see more churches taking seriously the calling to minister in the world!

 

Church of God Pastor, Tina Robinson, from Madison, WI shares on her blog, HeavyRevvy, an outreach project they are involved in:

 

"We have adopted the teachers at the neighborhood elementary school and this morning we are providing snacks to get them through the day of meetings they have all day today. My car is filled with muffins, cupcakes, fruit, candy, cookies and two ginormous cheesecakes"

Gulf coast update

Below is an frontline update posted on CHOGTalk by Debbie Weiger:

The following update came from Earl Wheatley in Mississippi, concerning some of the Churches of God in the Gulf region.  I’d like to add that work groups are going into Laurel / Hattiesburg area.  More are needed!  (Contact Rachael Woosley 205-812-3486, rwoosley@riverchase.cc )  Rachael and I went to Laurel and then on down to Gulfport last week, to carry supplies and do some organizational work.  It is just heartbreaking!  And the one thing we heard from our COG pastors and church families was, “Don’t let them forget about us!”

Tony also talked just this morning with Don Coleman at Camp Pollack in Louisiana.  Over the weekend they had 240 evacuees, but now they have 150 – and this without electricity or running water!  Today they are now dealing with the Health Department (another camp has already been shut down) but these folks have no where to go.  Please pray for God to make a way for them to continue to help these people.

The shelter at Austin Road Community Church in Daphne, AL is still in operation, but they are down to about half the number staying there.  They are working to help find permanent housing, jobs and vehicles for those families.

Debbie Weiger

Hi Friends,

Let me give you a site by site update - God is continuing to work through His people in some powerful ways!

Natchez, MS.  Natchez has continued to be an active Red Cross shelter.  As of last Thursday night they had 41 Katrina evacuees still living at the church.  At 2:00 a.m. Friday morning they received another 70 Rita evacuees! People were bedded down in the church, in the fellowship hall and in the gym.  I am attaching a couple of photos sent by  Del Loy.

Del also reports that one couple who has been at the Natchez church since it opened for Katrina has accepted Jesus as their Savior.and several of the other evacuees have been regular attenders in the Community Chapel worship services.

Palmetto, LA.  Pastor Dale Fontenot has shared that they were about 100 miles East of where the eye of the hurricane came ashore.  The Palmetto Campground has another 60 evacuees.  They were without power for 36 hours and had some damage to metal roofs.  But Palmetto was still able to minister to others!  On Saturday, a Red Cross Shelter called, needing food for 285 evacuees. "Because of the generosity of the church all over the country, we had enough food to send to the Red Cross shelter to help in their time of need."

New Orleans - Metairie, LA.  Pastor Paul Matte reports they are beginning to cut out sheet rock and get the building back into shape.  Reports from congregational leaders tell us that many homes of the congregation were damaged.  Rita's flooding hit some of the homes a second time.  Between the two storms, 3 families lost everything, 3 other families had extensive roof damage, at least 8 families have varying degrees of flood damage.

New Orleans - Caffin Avenue.  The church was flooded again from the water that hit the lower part of the city from Rita.  No updates yet on specific families and their losses.

Gulfport, MS - Workteams have been in and others are in route.  Good work is taking place in the community.

Now - on to Lake Charles, LA - and "Rita" news:

Pastor Rick McClain of Christ Community Church of God is in Meridian right now, staying with extended family.  As of last night (Monday), 44 Louisiana parishes are without power.  Many of the major transmission towers are down and will be a major piece in the repair/restoration work that is yet to be done.  He has had reports that their church building is in relatively good shape.  Rick has also been in touch with Pastor Terry Aridizzone of the CrossRoads Church of God.  Terry reports that one of their main entrance doors was shattered in the storm and there has been some minor building damage. 

From all current reports all Church of God families are physically OK; but we do know of many homes that suffered tree and other storm damage.  We have five Church of God congregations in the Lake Charles area.  None of them were able to meet this past Sunday and will probably not be able to meet this coming Sunday.  As you know, when the church cannot even meet, finances weaken quickly!

For more information or to give assistance to the Lake Charles churches you can contact Rick McClain at mcclain2005@ccclc.info or (812) 962-4971.or (877) 853-7513

Future work:

New Orleans:  This Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. a strategy meeting will be held at the Landmark Church of God, Covington, Mississippi, hosted by Pastor Ron Allen.  At that time we will assess needs, consider resources and (hopefully) identify a work coordinator for our ongoing assistance to our New Orleans churches and families.   As you pray about this, please remember Ron's wife, Sue.  She has a fractured rib and will be seeing the physicians this week.  Please join me in asking the Great Physician to touch Sue.

Lake Charles:  This situation is still being assessed.  Hopefully more will be known about specific needs and physical assistance opportunities within the next 5 to 7 days.

Blessings,

Earl Wheatley

 

Fleeing Rita

Here's a report from Dr.Magaret Dunn posted on CHOG-Talk today, giving a first-hand report of someone in the path of Rita:

 

All:

I am going off line in about 15 minutes but wanted to give you an
update. Please pray for those involved in the evacuation process. It
was taking 5 hours yesterday to go from Galveston to Houston's south
side. This morning, I-45 and 290 will be opened northbound on both
sides of the interstates. I-10 west will be opened as soon as this
process is complete. Officers will be at each ramp to protect traffic.

Rita is scheduled to hit about 1:00 am on Saturday morning very close
to Galveston Island.

I learned about the church at large in my evacuation planning since I
made one phone call to a Church of God congregation and had a place
for my cat and myself to stay. God is good.

Will be back on line when the storm passes and I am back on line.
Thanks for your prayers for myself and the Church of God congregation
in this area. 

Blessings to you.

Margaret Dunn
Pasadena, Texas

Church of God and disaster relief

Over the past few weeks, we have all been impacted by hurricane Katrina that ripped through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Of course, none have been affected more than the residents there who have had their world turned upside down. And now we dreadfully await Rita's assault on Texas.

 

Living in dry central California (where we haven't even seen rain in four months) it's hard to fathom what is going on in the Gulf Coast states. TV images and newspaper reports seem so inadequate, even as they shock us with the devastation. And, for those of us not living in the area, it's hard to know what to do to assist people living many miles away.

 

Unfortunately, the evacuation and relief efforts have been marred by bureacratic bunglings and ineptness. Compounding the situation is the divisive climiate in our nation, resulting in those on both sides who are getting caught up in political posturing. On the positive side, however, is the rallying together of people in the U.S. and around the world to support the relief efforts through financial contributions and volunteer assistance.

 

So, what has been the involvement of the Church of God in this catastrophe?

 

From all accounts, it appears that we have responded with action. Congregations in the ara are doing the best they can with whatever resources available to them. Some church camps have been housing evacuees. Church of God Ministries has been coordinating efforts at a national level. And, individuals and congregations (e.g. read the story of Winton Road First Church of God, Fairfield, OH at dodgeparkcog) have been doing extraordinary things in an effort to help.

 

I cannot be critical of our response, mainly because I am not fully aware of all the details, and secondly, because my own response is paltry in comparison to what others have done.

 

My point of interest is the future. These tragedies have reinforced the need for us to become actively involved in human needs around us. Here are some initial thoughts for further consideration:

 

- Relief and service efforts are best delivered by those closest to the ground (i.e. local congregations in the area, if possible).

- Most local congregations are poorly equipped for mobilizing people for service within the community, especially during times of devastation. Churches that have a missional outlook are probably better able to respond. In other words, if service to the world is already part of our congregational culture it will be more natural for us to respond during times of calamity. (This is an important lesson for me, as I question how my congregation will respond when the "big" earthquake hits California).

- We must avoid the temptation to centralize our relief efforts in Anderson. While Church of God Ministries can assist through communication and coordination, the last thing we need is a new level of bureacracy expected to do what should be happening at the local level.

 

Our prayers remain for the many people affected by these hurricanes, and now even for those fleeing in Texas. I trust that we can all say that we will continue our service in the name of Jesus.

 

Reaching a New Generation

Occasionally I will highlight a recently read book that might be of benefit to others in our movement.

I didn't intend for this blog to become a journal of book reviews. But, I do a lot of reading, and can't resist wanting to recommend those writings that others might find helpful.

I almost didn't read Reaching a New Generation. It's one of the many books in my library that I haven't' read (although I'm working on it!) because I tend to acquire books at a faster rate than I can read. What moved this book to the top of my reading list was the author, Alan Roxburgh, who I heard for the first time at a seminar early this year. Roxburgh is one of the most significant leaders in the missional church movement, and is one of its deepest thinkers.

It was probably the title, Reaching a New Generation, and subtitle, "Strategies for Tomorrow's Church" that previously had kept this book lower on the stack. It sounded too much like a book about reaching Gen X'ers (which is why I bought it in the first place a few years back), and I'm tired of "strategy" books full of programs and ideas that are hardly transferable to my setting. Unfortunately, these titles are very poor indicators of what to find between the covers. It's not just about the younger generations, and is weak on what we normally call strategy. A more accurate title would serve the book better.

Reaching a New Generation is a relatively short book (140 pages with notes and index!), but is a rich discussion on the shifts that are taking place in our culture, and how the church can appropriately respond. Certainly other authors have tackled these issues with greater depth, but few have packaged it as succinctly as Roxburgh. After reading this profound book you should not be able to help but ponder on how our theology can speak to the questions being asked with our society.

After describing the changing worldviews around us, and the rejection of modernity and Christianity, Roxburgh asks, "How will the Gospel be Heard?" (page 63). He goes on to emphasize that "the mission strategy for each congregation must, increasingly, be shaped by the values, needs and style of its context" (p. 65). In order to do this we must learn to listen and see what is going in the culture around us, and then construct a local theology that allows us to "learn to read Scripture with the eyes of our context, allowing the Bible to engage the culture and reshape the congregations' self-understanding. Strategies for evangelism grow out of this engagement, as such a gospel encounter calls for the congregation's own transformation and conversion as well as the culture's" (page 73).

But, this book is not an abstract discussion. Roxburgh goes on to apply these insights to three of the most significant trends emerging in our society: the ecological crisis, the hunger for community, and the quest for spiritual transcendence. Those living in insulated Christian sub-cultures may have trouble seeing the primacy of these issues, but an honest look around us will show that Roxburgh is both accurate in his assessments and insightful in his theology.

If you are at all concerned about the mission of the church, this is one of the books to add to your reading list and to actually read!

What foundation?

Here are two diagrams, from Thoughts from the Cheap Seats, that contrast the difference between traditional and missional churches. Quite straightforward.

 

 

 

 

Where the Saints Have Trod

Occasionally I will highlight a recently read book that might be of benefit to others in our movement

I love shopping for books. While at the North American Convention in June I forced myself to browse through the disheveled stacks in the Reformation Publishers tent, just in case I could find a gem in the rough. I was pleasantly surprised to find a normally out-of-print book that I had read years earlier during research for my Master's thesis: WWhere the Saints Have Trod: A Social History of the Church of God Reformation Movement by Val Clear (Midwest Publications, 1977).

Val Clear was a professor of Sociology at what was Anderson College when he wrote this book. His intent was to examine our movement from a sociological perspective, and in comparison to other emerging religious movements. Clear starts with the assumption that "All social institutions arise out of their environments, but none is more closely related to the soil in which it grows than a Christian church" (p. 1). He then goes on to demonstrate how the Church of God transitioned itself over the years to become an organization much more closely resembling a denomination than a movement. This change occurred over many years, and can be summarized in the following stages:

1. Social unrest; milling about

2. A leader appears and defines the issues.

3. A self-conscious minority emerges and rallies around the leader.

4. The parent body rejects the idea of the new group and separation takes place.

5. The new group is isolated.

6. The new group is institutionalized.

7. Sophistication develops.

8. Unrest anew; milling about. (p. 10)

Writing from the vantage point of the 1970's Dr. Clear pegged our movement at stage seven, suggesting that there were "only undercurrents of dissension" (p. 180). We had reached the "quietude of middle age", but were trying to find our "raison d'etre ... in a world that has changed rapidly". (p. 180).

Almost thirty years have passed since the publication of this important book. The insights are valuable for anyone who wants to better understand our movement, and there are critical implications for us today. I, for one, believe that we have moved closer to stage eight, not only because of our own organizational dynamics, but also because of the shifting religious and secular environments around us. In light of this, what can we learn from Clear?

First, we must be honest about the social influences that have shaped us. We cannot continue to assume that we function as a true movement.

Second, it would be good for us to assess current movements through Clear's template. In particular, the Emergent movement has the potential to be one of the most significant Christian developments in over a century. A growing number from within the Church of God are resonating with this trend. Clear's insights can help us be better prepared for these movemental changes within and around us.

If you can find a copy of Where the Saints Have Trod, I urge you to read it.

Hurricane Katrina

In case you haven't seen this from Church of God Ministries ...

 

Hurricane Katrina has devastated the Gulf Coast of the United States, hitting Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama particularly hard. The Disaster Relief Committee has met to plan our relief efforts. While specific information is not yet available, with 175 Church of God congregations in these three Gulf states, it is inevitable that numerous churches and individuals will need assistance with both emergency relief and long-term recovery. Assistance with flood damage may also be needed in southern Florida.

 

The anticipated emergency relief needs along the Gulf Coast are great. Compassionate Ministries, a ministry of Church of God Ministries, Inc., is now collecting money for emergency relief needs. Funds will be distributed through the state offices and local Churches of God in affected states.

 

If you would like to help with hurricane relief, you may give online with your credit card at www.chog.org or send checks made payable to "Church of God Ministries" to Church of God Ministries, PO Box 2420, Anderson, IN  46018-2420. Please write "Hurricane Relief, Project 45.04502" on your memo line.

 

Updates will be made available via the Church of God Ministries Web site at www.chog.org as more information becomes available.

 

For more information on giving, visit www.chog.org or call Obadiah Smith, Compassionate Ministries coordinator, at 800-848-2464, ext 2165.

 

The Forgotten Half of Change

Occasionally I will highlight a recently read book that might be of benefit to others in our movement.

 

The Forgotten Half of Change, by Luc Brabandere, is a new book written primarily to the business community. While Brabandere is not writing to the church or even claiming a Christian perspective, his insights are worth pondering as we all struggle to lead and implement change.

 

The subtitle of the book is: "Achieving Greater Creativity Through Changes in Perception". It is on this aspect of perception that Brabandere stands above other writings on the subject. While not revealing anything earth-shatteringly new, he probes and packages the dynamics of change in a manner that have certainly got me thinking in new ways. Drawing from philosophical and psychological concepts, he makes the point that there are two aspects of change: reality and perception. The former is a matter of changing actions through innovation. But, the change of perception, derived from creativity, is often neglected or missing because it is typically the most difficult to execute. Brabandere states that both of these aspects are needed. In fact, he says that successful change requires that we "change twice". Related to churches, this is evident when we introduce our programs without seeing an accompanied perception change among our members. Conflict and failure are often the result. Yet, these are the dynamics we must consider especially as we work to transform our orientation to being missional.

 

This tight relationships between reality and perception also relate to our theological understanding of sanctification. The debate that often arises, provoked by our holiness orientation, is whether sanctification is an instanteous event or gradual change. Utilizing Brabandere's model it confirmed my assertion that while sanctification is a life-long process, life-change of the perception-type (remember: spiritual change ultimately takes place at our deepest levels, including our perceptions) also typically involves a more sudden break with our past (i.e. a crisis experience). Translating that change into our lives, however, is a much more gradual process.

 

The Forgotten Half of Change succeeds to change one's perception of change itself. For that reason it is worth reading. If you are looking for practical, hands-on strategies to implement change in your church you will find the book disappointing. But, then, Brabandere's intent was to highlight the part of change we have often forgotten.

 

ViewPoint on mission

Take a listen to the August 28th installment of ViewPoint (Church of God radio program). They are beginning a series that will review and recommend noteworthy books. On this broadcast they discuss The Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill Church, Seattle). Some good thoughts on mission, and especially encouraging to hear this being discussed more within our own movement.

 

(Don't forget that you can subscribe to the ViewPoint RSS feed)

How do we measure success?

Ronald Green, Pastor of Gordon Church of God (Gordon, Nebraska), has a blog devoted primarily to manuscripts and videos of his sermons. What caught my attention is the video of  Ronald Duncan, General Director of Church of God Ministries, who preached in Gordon on July 24th. I was especially curious to see and hear our North American leader share in a local congregation (as he has never visited my church!).

 

While I have always found Dr. Duncan to be a solid and steady individual, I was somewhat frustrated by some of his introductory comments leading up to the sermon. Bringing greetings to the congregation, he gave a brief report of what is happening in the Church of God, and was quick to express that some of our congregations are doing very well. That's good news. But, it was the measuring stick that he used that concerns me. Urging the Gordon attendees to guess, he asked, "What is the largest size church that we have in the Church of God today?" (ANSWER: Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City with around 4500 in Sunday attendance), and then went on to proudly state that we have more large (i.e. over 2000) Church of God congregations in the U.S.  than ever before. Interestingly, the entire population of Gordon is below 2000, so I am sure they were somewhat bewildered by the entire exercise.

 

To be fair, Dr. Duncan did quickly add that "we have many small churches that are doing a wonderful job". But, the emphasis that Sunday morning reinforced the notion that success is measured by size.

 

I don't want to be too hard on Ron, as I am convinced that his ultimate definition of success extends beyond size, and that he has a deep appreciation for congregations of all sizes. My real concern, however, is that his comments are a telling reflection of what most people in the Church of God really think when trying to measure church success: "Bigger is better".

 

Certainly, numerical growth is ONE way to assess church success. And, I do celebrate our sister congregations who have been effective at touching and gathering large numbers of people. But, in the quest for more heads to count on a Sunday morning, we can be misled into believing that  Large Church = Mission. This is not always the case. Some small churches may be far more active in true mission.

 

It is a demonstrated fact that most of what appears to be "church growth" in North America is simply transfer growth, or the attraction of people from other churches. Very few, the "mega" churches included, are truly engaging and impacting the secular culture around them.

 

I encourage all of us, Dr. Duncan as well, to re-examine our ideas of church successs. Yes, let's celebrate where God is work, but may we find ways to highlight mission, not just warm bodies in pews.

 

Modern thinking

Recently on CHOGTalk (a Yahoo! discussion group) I posted a message in response to a debate that was developing over the creation-evolution debate, mainly in response to the recent movement to include "Intelligent Design" ideas in public school curriculum.

While I am convinced that we have much bigger items to discuss, underlying this debate are some deeper issues that we must come to terms with.

Here's a slightly modified form of my original message:

I am astounded at the current "intelligent design" debate because the advocates of this position fail to see that they themselves have been duped into a modernistic worldview, and are trying to read Scripture from those lenses. To be blunt, conservatives who insist on reading the Bible with strict literalness are in bed (albeit in a strained relationship) with the "liberals" they so are so quick to attack. Obviously they each have different presuppositions, but when push comes to shove they both approach these issues from the modernistic, rational perspective that is more a product of the Enlightenment than the milieu of Scripture.

I am not a "liberal", as liberalism has proven its emptiness. But, I also consider myself less and less part of "conservative" Christianity, which also blindly taking its cues from culture instead of faith (despite what they may claim). The tragedy for conservatives is that they are unaware of their sell-out to modernism. And, of course, we in the Church of God have increasingly gone lock-step down this path of intellectual and spiritual demise.

It's time we abandoned these polarizing categories since they have become so emotionally charged and bereft of meaning. If we are serious about following Christ, we all must repent of our worship of modernism (or any other intellectual trend), and that includes our modernistic reading of Scripture. Only then will we allow the Spirit to reveal truth and work among us.

Busy with Mission

I haven't posted for a couple of weeks, as life has been busy. As I mentioned in my last post, my church has been working through what it means to be on mission. We've had some interesting discussions in the intervening time, and have decided to make some major changes in how we "do church". As our new direction folds, I plan to share with you some of the things that we will be doing, and telling you what works (and what doesn't). And, please continue to share your stories!

Mission in Hanford

Since we've been discussing the movement of the Church towards mission, let me share some personal experiences from my own pastoral ministry over the past few days.

Our congregation (Central Community Church in Hanford, CA) has been working through this whole missional thing for several months now. This is an exciting church to be part of, as we have gone through some radical changes in the last three years, transitioning from a fairly staid Church of God congregation to one that it is now reaching unchurched people. But, we still struggle to transform our dominant paradigms. Yet, our church leadership is open and committed to continuing in the process of re-focusing the church even further.

But, we're starting to get it. For example, last week during one of our cell group gatherings a woman, who works at a restaurant, was telling us how she frequently comes home with lots of leftovers and doesn't know what to do with them as she has more than she and her husband could ever eat. She's been doing the obvious things, like eating some, freezing some, and giving some to family and friends. But, what came next was exciting for me, the group, and even her. The suggestion offered to her was: Why not take some of it across the street from where she lives to a housing complex and simply knock on some doors and introduce herself as a neighbor and offer some food? This was a radical idea for her, since she has lived in this house for many years but has never met anyone across the street from her. But, suddenly she saw that this could be a way for her to make some connections with people outside the church. It opened up a paradigm shift to her, and to others in attendance.

To further challenge us toward mission, Sunday evening we showed Reggie McNeal's NAC sermon. It was very well received, and certainly provoked a number to look at the church 's mission differently than before. We are following up with a congregational discussion this coming Sunday to further lead our church towards mission.

I know that my experiences over the past few days are just a very small snippet of what God is doing elsewhere. I'd love to hear how you are coming to terms with mission in your church. Please pass along your own stories by leaving a Comment, or by posting on your own blog and leaving a link in my Comments.

Hit the Bullseye

In case you are not on the e-mail list of "Multiplication Moments" from the Church Multiplication department at Church of God Ministries I will paste portions of the latest edition below, since I can't find a link for it on www.chog.org.

These are quotes from Paul Borden, author of Hit the Bullseye: How Denominations Can Aim the Congregation at the Mission Field, who spoke at a Ohio Ministries meeting on July 7th.

Some good points to contribute to our discussion on mission:

“Churches are not to be places of refuge. They are to be a place where lost people come to find Christ.”

“Not all growing congregations are healthy ones. However, all healthy congregations are growing.”

“If congregations are not growing, they are not healthy. Not only that, they are being disobedient to the call of Christ.”

“Do we run the state and national organizations to continue the institutions or to fulfill the mission?”

“The local congregation should be at the top of the pyramid. Of all church organizations, the congregation is the only one ordained by God. All congregations have the same mission, to fulfill the Great Commission, and God expects the local congregation to do whatever it takes to achieve the mission.”

Incarnational vs. Attractional Mission

Here's another thought provoking post from the Australian blog, "Backyard Missionary", that provides additional food-for-thought to us in the Church of God who are concerned about a return to mission.

The title says it all.

LINK

Strege and Babylon

Fitting to my recent post on "Examining our Unity" is consideration of the "Trumpet times" column by Merle Strege in the June/July 2005 edition of OneVoice! magazine (page 25): "Babylon: More than a place".

As the Church of God historian, Strege discusses "Babylon" and "Babel" - key terms used in the early years of our movement. These biblical images were understood by our pioneers to represent the falsity and confusion surrounding denominationalism, the perceived major threat to Christian unity.

Strege contends that the use of "Babylon" especially "has waned among many Church of God congregations". He believes that this symbol needs to be "reexamined" since denominationalism may not be as big an issue today, others are also taking up the cause of Christian unity, and "equating Babylon with denominations may never have been a truly valid interpretation". Instead, Strege proposes that we adopt a much broader understanding of Babylon, namely the seduction of the dominant culture.

I really can't disagree with Strege's intrepretation of Isaiah 48:20, the source of our anti-Babylon teaching. It certainly fits better with the original context in which Isaiah was written.

For me, the question that erupts from this discussion is whether our Christian unity emphasis may be tainted by other problems?

Certainly, the teaching of unity in Christ is a central New Testament theme that hasn't been lived out very well in Christendom. But, could it be that our take on unity ended up as a negative stance, that is, largely anti-denominational instead of presenting a positive vision of what the church should and could be like? Has this negative, confrontational orientation contributed to our own struggles with unity, exhibited in many of the internal issues we face? And, most important, can this help explain why we have been weak at engaging our culture in mission?

Questions worth pondering.

Mission: Chicken or egg?

Briefly going back to the topic of Mission (before continuing on the Unity issue):

I came across a reference on Backyard Missionary to something said by Gordon Cosby (Pastor of Church of the Saviour in Washinton, D.C.). Cosby said that

"in all his years of service he has never (and he emphasized ‘never’) seen a group go from community to mission. Rather, he said one should organize around mission and community will follow."

A very significant observation. Many times we make the false assumption that if we build and nurture our congregation, mission will be a natural outcome. The reality is, however, that this rarely happens.

A reminder that mission must be at our center, just as it was for Jesus.

Examining Our Unity

Some recent comments following my "Level the Dome" post have focused on the issue of unity.

Andy asked the question: "Could someone please share with me some concrete examples of Unity in this movement?" The implication is that we are not practicing what we preach when it comes to unity.

I know of many examples within the Church of God where unity is being lived out, but we must honestly acknowledge that there are also serious problems. The buzz word that we have heard coming out of Anderson, especially in the last six years, is "reconciliation". This is a blatant admission that not all is well among us. The most obvious example are the walls that have separated our African-American brothers and sisters from the rest of the movement.

A case can be made that we have a had less than stellar track record at living this, one of our distinguishing doctrines. In fact, it is almost embarassing to admit our struggles in this area. And, of course, before we can "reach our hands in fellowship to every blood-washed one" outside of our movement, we must address our internal unity. There is work to be done to build stronger bridges with not only our large African-American constituency, but also with Hispanics among us, the German churches in North America that were alienated during and following World War II, and churches on the geographic fringes outside of the Midwest.

The fact is, there is much more diversity in the Church of God than we are often willing to admit. Apart from some of the obvious racial and cultural differences, there is also a certain degree of theological latitude in our movement. Unfortunately, however, we have not tolerated internal or external theological differences very well. We have often bought into rigid doctrinal purity at the expense of the unity of fellowship we desire, but find elusive. In reality, we call people to unity in Christ, but only if they come on our doctrinal terms.

For a movement with roots in Wesleyan-holiness it is tragic that we have veered from our orthopraxic orientation, and towards a Calivinist-evangelical fixation on orthodoxy.

I don't want to be too hard on us, but we must face this issue of unity head on. We don't need more doctrinal ink spent describing the unity of the church. It's time we started to live it both inside and outside our circles.