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pastoral publishing in the 21st century

Let Me Plagiarize Your Work

9/20/2012

 
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    As we prepare for an upcoming Regeneration Summit October 7-8 here in St. Louis, I solicit your feedback.     Walls divide, fragment, and compartmentalize.  In an increasingly polarized society, the church is faced with walls from within and without. Here is a list of "walls."  Please comment, disagree, or add to the list.     Be careful, I may plagiarize your comment.

  Walls:  Between Church and World

  • Public perceptions of the church.  ("A homo-phobic, greedy, corporate entity trying to legislate morality.")
  • The church’s missional mandate in a complex and changing context.  (This ain't the 1950's.)
  • The church’s nature as sojourner in a foreign land.  (Residents and aliens at the same time.)
  • Church “culture” and popular culture(s). 
  • The different “languages” spoken.  ("What does 'imputed righteousness' mean?  Seriously.")

Walls:  Within the Church

  • White/Western church and the relationship to global Christianity.  ("Oh, there are Asian Christians in my city?").
  • Rift between clergy and other professional church workers; divide between clergy/professional and laypeople.  ("You can call me The Rev. Dr. _______.")
  • Church staff relationships  ("I hate my boss.  The problem is, he's my pastor.")
  • Men and women ("Since when could women vote?")
  • Polarizing divisions: theological, political, practical, stylistic.

Walls:  Personal
  • Personal ("I'm fat, a failure, totally awesome, depressed, stressed . . ."
  • Professional/clergy burnout and breakdown.  ("I just want to quit and drive a bread truck for a living.")
  • A Christian’s authenticity vs. the Christian facade  (Singing on Sunday, cussing on Monday.)
  • The compartmentalization of faith (Jesus is one commitment among many  - work, family, leisure, etc.)

    There are certainly Scriptural instances of “wall-building” and “wall-shattering.”  Jesus walked through walls.  Literally, like after his resurrection (John 20:19).  He crossed numerous boundaries – the woman at the well, into the homes of sinners and tax collectors, etc.  His death split the temple curtain in two, as the transcendent presence of God was not to be bound by walls (Luke 23:45).  In Christ, the “dividing wall of hostility” is broken down (Eph. 2:14).  “In him” there is unity, peace, and an end to every wall of separation from God and his people.  In all of the walls we encounter, we pray, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.” 


Sito
9/23/2012 10:59:09 am

Pastor,

I would also encourage you to address inter-denominational tension. The stigma of being evangelical or protestant in a predominantly Catholic South America is substantial. Even in the states, I have met numerous anti-Catholics and anti-evangelicals. The polarization between traditional liturgy and modern contemporary services is there as well. More than anything, I think that there is a growing need for Christians that are both educated and empathetic of other denominations.

Unfortunately, I'm not so sure that Ecuadorian Catholics and evangelicals know that they serve the same God.

Hope this helps,
Sito

Jeff Cloeter
9/23/2012 11:53:13 am

Sito,

Thanks. I'll make sure to bring this to the speakers. I was with Mark K. this afternoon, and will look to his wisdom from a Latin American perspective. Two questions come to mind: 1.) What do non-Christians think of our internal walls? Is our polarization confusing, or does it reinforce their stereotypes of Christianity? 2.) I know that the charasmatic/pentecostal movement is exploding in South America. What is your assessment of this movement?

We are video recording the speakers, so you'll be able to watch when we upload them.

Peace


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  • Blog
  • About
    • Sixth Generation
    • Jeff Cloeter
    • If you're not a Christian . . .
    • Contact
  • Loved & Sent
    • Get The Book
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    • The Stories
    • My Children's Book
  • The Daily Pattern