Before moving on into the Biblical passages that support the idea of the interrelation of the Body let us revisit why I am relating this to the emerging church movement. Those who have been in any conversation with the emerging church idea know that it can be characterized as a reactionary movement. Well, reactionary to what? Some would suggest that it is a reaction to the strict doctrinal creeds of some denominations. Others would suggest that it is a reaction to the watered down “Seeker Sensitive” churches that reach out to everyone but truly touch no one. Still others would say that the emerging church is a reaction to modernity and the Enlightenment’s sway upon the Church at large. All of these examples, and more, are legitimate reasons why another church movement is emerging among the Body. What I would like to point out is that all of these reasons, and probably many others, are inherently connected to the fact that the church is simply not functioning as a Body.
I have seen the brutality of a father in disciplining children that he has never taken time to build a relationship with but whom he expects to obey his every conscious and subconscious expectation. I have also seen the man who meets everyone and has “connections” all over, yet could not tell you an intimate detail of any one of his acquaintances. And we have all seen the man who is so driven by his independent reasoning and opinions on the world that he is oblivious to the importance of another’s point of view. These are all men who have not “interrelated” properly. They set their own agenda, make their own expectations, seek their own ends, and sink their own ship. As I suggested earlier, the church has long been the pulpit of such men, or rather, of such ideologies.
So it is my observation, as I have interacted with the Body, that the Emerging Church Movement is really seeking a community that looks and acts more like Christ. There might be some deviations of opinion about how exactly this should look but the foundational desire is a common one. If some individuals are looking for something other than that then all they are really looking for is another avenue to indulge the self, to lift up the idol of autonomy. In what way do you view the Emerging Church Movement? Do you simply desire to live with brothers and sisters in Christ in such a way that would do honor to His presence among us; that would image His presence within us? Do you desire to live an intentionally interrelated life within our Savior?
11 comments:
I'm definitely actually applying some enlightenment to the church. (ooooh!) Hey, if my "church" doesn't look like the church, then It's inherently something else.
Well Will, you certainly are justified in questioning the state of your church as you compare it to those principles that you clearly see in the Word of God. I will say though that the word "church," that we use to translate the Greek "ecclesia," does not inherently carry the specific qualities that we are discussing here. It might be more appropriate to suggest that your local church, though it consists of members of the Body, is not functioning as the Body of Christ is meant to function in order to remain faithful to the relationship that it has with the Head. So although I share your frustration, the usage of the word "church" by itself, with no prefix, simply refers to the gathering of believers. Your "church" certianly looks like a fathering of believers but does it look like an interrelated Body of Believers? Does it, as a unity, even bear the resemblance of one who is preparing for a wedding day? Good critique Will. Keep it coming.
"They set their own agenda, make their own expectations, seek their own ends, and sink their own ship."
You are right on. Man, I'm glad you've joined the blog world. I look forward to more posts and conversations about the Church.
Blessings.
billy
Edit: my earlier comment should read "a gathering of believers" instead of "a fathering of believers." Although, your church might also share in the process of "fathering" believers.
yeah, fathering of believers, that's well, I mean if you're presbyterian.
man I'm laughing hard right now
presbyterian jokes =)
anyway, if my (or any) 'local church' isn't much on loving, worshiping, interacting and outreaching in a real bible-looking kind of way, I take it for a complicated and historically loaded social club populated with christians and powered with christian rhetoric so, coincidentally connected, but quintessentially disconnected from the actual body of christ.
and why the heck are you up at 5 am?
Well put Will. Augustine points out the problematic issues of saying that your "local church" is the Body of Christ. I am not suggesting that we could ever manipulate one or many local congregations to perfectly represent "The Body of Christ," but that does not mean that we should not try to discern how the Body of Christ functions Biblically, critique our own congregation according to that standard, and then make appropriate changes based on how we might better image the "Body of Christ" in our local congregation of believers. Thus, one should look on their local congregation with a desire to "reform" it rather than a desire to abandone it because it doesn't look like "what mom used to make." Are some local evangelical congregations beyond reform? Probably, but discerning which one's are and which one's are not is not the business that I have been handed by may Lord. I am to preach and actualize within my own life a functional standard of what it means to be interrelated with the Body.
by the way, my clock on this blog is 3 hours earlier than actual NC time. So, no, you will rarely ever catch me up at 5AM. 6AM maybe, but not 5.
with a desire to "reform" it rather than a desire to abandone it
I agree that we should definitely not abanone it, but I am not sure that reform is the right way to look at it. It seems to me that the word reform carries the connotation of someone pushing and litigating for a change that many probably do not want. Shouldn't we rather let the Spirit that is within us to be great enough to affaect all of those around us. I guess that my point is that if we are really living by the Spirit then we will necessarily interrelate with the body. And through that they will be changed by God in us. It is really inevitable because no person can encounter His spirit and not be changed. I am not saying that we should have an attitude of pride, but by humbly serving and loving we can more effectively "reform" the lives of everyone that we even come near. Peter only had to let his shadow fall on people and they were healed. Likewise, we should at least be able to allow enough of His presence in our lives to change small things like the way that the non-interrelated limb of the Body acts in our presence because of the Spirit that we carry with us and will in turn change the way the interrelate with everyone else.
I am not trying to be cantanquerous, but to clarify what was already a good point. :)
Malcolm,
I apologize if I gave the impression that what we should do is push and litigate for change. You have a good point about the word "reform." It does have some historically negative connotations to it according to some persuasions in the Body. I, myself, do not wholly embarce "Reformed Theology" but I do appreciate the Biblical imperative we are given to accountably interact with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I would suggest 2 Tim 3:16 and Rom. 12:10 as two quick passages for how we might scripturally approach our fellow Christians in a Spirit led manner. I appreciate your affirmation and interaction. I look forward to reading more insightful comments as you entertain these ideas with us.
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