Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY? A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34,35)
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY? - Encourage one another - Admonish one another - Confess your sins to one another - Forgive one another - Show forbearance to one another - Pray for & with one another - Bear one anothers burdens
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY?
This requires a lifestyle of intentional relating outside of meetings.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY? And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer . . . And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart . . . (Acts 2:42,46)
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY?
This is the difference between going to home group & being in fellowship.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY? - Rivals to community:
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY? - Rivals to community: CAREERISM
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY? - Rivals to community: CAREERISM MATERIALISM
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY? - Rivals to community: CAREERISM MATERIALISM HOBBYISM
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY? - Rivals to community: CAREERISM MATERIALISM HOBBYISM ENTERTAINMENTISM
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY?
Our people are so busy . . . we cant ask them for more than one night a week.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY?
Our people are so busy . . . we cant ask them for more than one night a week.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY?
Our people are so busy . . . so we try to get everything done on Sunday.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #1: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST THE TIME TO BUILD COMMUNITY?
Will we accept these rivals & make excuses for our people or will we challenge them for their own good to biblical involvement?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #2: ARE WE WILLING TO MODEL THIS KIND OF INVOLVEMENT FOR OUR PEOPLE?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #2: ARE WE WILLING TO MODEL THIS KIND OF INVOLVEMENT FOR OUR PEOPLE? - Why should they get vitally involved in a home group if we arent?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #2: ARE WE WILLING TO MODEL THIS KIND OF INVOLVEMENT FOR OUR PEOPLE? - Why should they get vitally involved in a home group if we arent? - How can we help our home group ministry flourish if we arent deeply involved in it?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #2: ARE WE WILLING TO MODEL THIS KIND OF INVOLVEMENT FOR OUR PEOPLE?
I have too many other pastoral responsibilities.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #2: ARE WE WILLING TO MODEL THIS KIND OF INVOLVEMENT FOR OUR PEOPLE?
Others will not lead if I am there.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #2: ARE WE WILLING TO MODEL THIS KIND OF INVOLVEMENT FOR OUR PEOPLE?
I cant afford to be that open & vulnerable to people in our church.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #3: ARE WE WILLING TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE EFFECT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON COMMUNITY?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #3: ARE WE WILLING TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE EFFECT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON COMMUNITY? - Connectivity cannot replace the priority of face-to-face relating
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #3: ARE WE WILLING TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE EFFECT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON COMMUNITY? - Connectivity cannot replace the priority of face-to-face relating Night and day (we) keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith? (1 Thessalonians 3:10)
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #3: ARE WE WILLING TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE EFFECT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON COMMUNITY? - Connectivity cannot replace the priority of face-to-face relating
I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. (3 Jn 1:13,14)
Human interaction at the deepest level involves at least two participants who THE PRIORITY OF FACE-TO-FACE acknowledge & respond to each others spoken questions, comments, and RELATING exclamations as well as the nonverbal Dont let Information Technology language of embodied articulation--the crowd this out your life! raised eyebrow, the of squinting eye, the furrowed brow, the misty eyes, the CONNECTIVITY IS NOT FULLY nodding or shaking of the head. These PERSONAL COMMUNICATION irreducibly personal factors & many others--such as spontaneity & humor-make up a conversation . . . in which no machine can participate.
The Soul in Cyberspace, by Douglas Grootuis (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Co., 1997), p. 152.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #3: ARE WE WILLING TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE EFFECT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON COMMUNITY? - Connectivity cannot replace the priority of face-to-face relating
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #3: ARE WE WILLING TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE EFFECT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON COMMUNITY? - Connectivity cannot replace the priority of face-to-face relating
Virtual community is a biblically self-contradictory term
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #3: ARE WE WILLING TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE EFFECT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON COMMUNITY? - Connectivity can undermine community unless we use it wisely
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century By assigning the highest priority to speed, the power of now enhances the value of those activities that exemplify speed (electronic entertainment & information transfer . . . )
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century By assigning the By assigning the highest priority to highest priority to speed, the power speed, the power of now enhances of now undermines the value of those the value of those activities that experiences that exemplify speed . . . require time to (electronic develop entertainment & (psychological information maturation, the transfer . . . ) building of meaningful human relationships . . .)
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century The power of now gives us what we want when we want it, from fast food & ATM cash to emergency medical care, thereby promoting the happiness, health & safety of the individual.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century The power of The power of now gives us what now obscures the we want when we need for us to want it, from fast develop those skills food & ATM cash & virtues-to emergency patience, medical care, commitment, selfthereby promoting denial, & even selfthe happiness, sacrifice--without health & safety of which no the individual. civilization can long endure.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century The power of now permits us to know (more people) by electronically connecting us with people of like interests . . .
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century The power of By interposing now permits us to technology know (more between human people) by relationships, the electronically power of now connecting us with displaces flesh-&people of like blood relationships interests . . . with synthetic ones.
Stephen Bertman, Hyperculture: The Human Cost of Speed (Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Publishing, 1999), pp. 192,193
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP?
Our Sunday worship service is the most important thing we do as a church.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP? - How this priority can undermine community:
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP? - How this priority can undermine community: BY DEFAULT, WE ARE COMMUNICATING HOME GROUP INVOLVEMENT AS LESS IMPORTANT
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP? - How this priority can undermine community: BY DEFAULT, WE USE RESOURCES THAT COULD BE USED FOR CULTIVATING & IMPROVING COMMUNITY
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP?
The New Testament neither describes nor prescribes such a worship service.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP?
New Testament worship centers around a daily lifestyle not a weekly service.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP? I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship service. Romans 12:1
GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST (Rom. 12:1)
GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST (Rom. 12:1)
COUNTERCULTURAL THINKING & LIFESTYLE (Rom. 12:2)
GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST (Rom. 12:1)
COUNTERCULTURAL THINKING & LIFESTYLE (Rom. 12:2)
MINISTRY WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST (Rom. 12:3-8)
GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST (Rom. 12:1)
COUNTERCULTURAL THINKING & LIFESTYLE (Rom. 12:2)
MINISTRY WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST (Rom. 12:3-8)
GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST (Rom. 12:1)
MISSION & OUTREACH (Rom. 15:16)
COUNTERCULTURAL THINKING & LIFESTYLE (Rom. 12:2)
MINISTRY WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST (Rom. 12:3-8)
GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST (Rom. 12:1)
MISSION & OUTREACH (Rom. 15:16)
FINANCIAL GENEROSITY (Heb. 13:16)
COUNTERCULTURAL THINKING & LIFESTYLE (Rom. 12:2)
MINISTRY WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST (Rom. 12:3-8)
INDIVIDUAL & CORPORATE PRAISE (Heb. 13:16)
GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST (Rom. 12:1)
MISSION & OUTREACH (Rom. 15:16)
FINANCIAL GENEROSITY (Heb. 13:16)
One of the most puzzling features of Paul's understanding of ekklesia for his contemporaries . . . must have been his failure to say that a person went to church primarily to worship. Not once in all his writings does he suggest this is the case. Indeed it could not be so, for he held a view of 'worship' that prevented him from doing so. This is crystallized in his plea at the beginning of Rom. 12 . . . The striking feature of Paul's statement . . . is his noncultic use of this language, that is, its metaphorical application to the sphere of everyday behavior . . .
. . . So worship involves the whole of one's life, every word and action, and knows no special place or time . . . Since all places and times have now become the venue for worship, Paul cannot speak of Christians assembling in church distinctively for this purpose. They are already worshipping God, acceptably or unacceptably, in whatever they are doing.
Robert Banks, Paul's Idea of Community (Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998, pp. 88,89)
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP? - An community-based alternative:
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP? - An community-based alternative: CONSISTENTLY TEACH WORSHIP AS A LIFESTYLE EXPRESSED IN COMMUNITY
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP? - An community-based alternative: REPLACE LARGE-MEETING WORSHIP SERVICES WITH MEETINGS THAT HELP HOME GROUPS IN OUTREACH & INSTRUCTION
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP? - An community-based alternative: AT LARGE MEETINGS, COMMUNICATE THAT HOME GROUPS ARE THE HEART OF THE CHURCH
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #4: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE PRIORITY OF LARGE GROUP WORSHIP? - An community-based alternative: MOVE CORPORATE WORSHIP FEATURES TO THE HOME GROUPS
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #5: ARE WE WILLING TO TELL THE TRUTH TO ONE ANOTHER IN OUR HOME GROUPS?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #5: ARE WE WILLING TO TELL THE TRUTH TO ONE ANOTHER IN OUR HOME GROUPS? - Personal challenge . . . you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:11,12
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #5: ARE WE WILLING TO TELL THE TRUTH TO ONE ANOTHER IN OUR HOME GROUPS? - Informal, private correction I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. (2 Timothy 4:1,2)
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #5: ARE WE WILLING TO TELL THE TRUTH TO ONE ANOTHER IN OUR HOME GROUPS? - Informal, private correction Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another . . . Colossians 3:16
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #5: ARE WE WILLING TO TELL THE TRUTH TO ONE ANOTHER IN OUR HOME GROUPS? - Formal, public discipline . . . if he will not listen, take one or two others along . . . If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Matthew 18:16,17
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #5: ARE WE WILLING TO TELL THE TRUTH TO ONE ANOTHER IN OUR HOME GROUPS?
Home groups that lack this ethos are like dysfunctional families.
EFFECTIVE TRUTH-TELLING REQUIRES HEALTHY COMMUNITY
HEALTHY COMMUNITY REQUIRES RISKY TRUTH-TELLING
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY?
The problem is not professional counseling, but prioritizing it over community in healing personal problems.
LOSS OF COMMUNITY IN OUR CULTURE & CHURCHES
MEDICAL MODEL OF EMOTIONAL & RELATIONAL PROBLEMS
PRIORITIZATION OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING
INSISTENCE ON TOTAL CONFIDENTIALITY
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY?
If we rely on private counseling, we undermine both the need for & the quality of community.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY?
If we rely on private counseling, we also forfeit the healing power of community.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY? - Access to models of (relative) emotional & relational health
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY? - Access to models of (relative) emotional & relational health - Empathy & hope from people with the same problems who have been substantially healed
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY? - Access to models of (relative) emotional & relational health - Empathy & hope from people with the same problems who have been substantially healed - Discernment & application of biblical truth from those who know you well
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY? - Confession that breaks the power of sin
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY? - Confession that breaks the power of sin - Support & accountability to keep cooperating with Gods healing steps
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY? - Confession that breaks the power of sin - Support & accountability to keep cooperating with Gods healing steps - Context for practicing self-giving love in the midst of your problems
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY?
In recent days, I have made a shift. I am now working toward the day when communities of Gods people, ordinary Christians whose lives regularly intersect, will accomplish most of the good we now depend on mental health professionals to provide. And they will do it by connecting with each other in ways that only the gospel makes possible . . .
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY?
. . . The crisis of care in modern culture, especially in the Western church, will not be resolved by training more therapists . . . The greatest need . . . is the development of communities, true communities where the heart of God is at home . . .
Larry Crabb, Connecting (Nashville: Word Publishing, 1997), pp. xii,xvi,xvii.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY? - Community-based alternatives:
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY? - Community-based alternatives: WHY NOT SEEK HELP FROM YOUR HOME GROUP BEFORE SEEKING PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #6: ARE WE WILLING TO RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY? - Community-based alternatives: WHEN IN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING, WHY NOT INCLUDE A FRIEND FROM YOUR HOME GROUP?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #7: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON THOSE WHO HAVE BUILT COMMUNITY TO SACRIFICE IT?
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #7: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON THOSE WHO HAVE BUILT COMMUNITY TO SACRIFICE IT? Whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospels shall save it. Mark 8:35
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #7: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON THOSE WHO HAVE BUILT COMMUNITY TO SACRIFICE IT?
If we refuse to split our home groups for this mission, we will forfeit the very vitality we seek to preserve.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century #7: ARE WE WILLING TO CALL ON THOSE WHO HAVE BUILT COMMUNITY TO SACRIFICE IT?
We are willing to lose some of our relational support so that others can have the same opportunity we have had.
Challenges to Christian Community In the 21st Century
These challenges are great - but the power of God is greater!
Questions? Comments?
Raise your hand -- well bring a microphone to your seat
