A Church in Transition

I am attending the 27^th General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene. OK do not tune out, this is going to be interesting. This meeting is a gathering of followers of Jesus from all over the world, 155 world areas. We gather as pastors and lay people to try and figure what it means to be the people of God together. There are young and old, rich and poor, west and east, new world, old world, aged saints- baby followers all together for a week or two to decide what it means to be a church. This is a high calling.

Now I can sit here during this gathering and find fault in so many areas. There are so many easy targets for my quick wit. I could go on and on at the many things that are archaic and out of step from what I am about and from most of you, but that is not helpful and not the way of Jesus. Instead I look around and see what God is doing throughout the world.

Because of where I live and love like Jesus, I am most encouraged about what is going on in the United States. There seems to be an upwelling of the Holy Spirit that is taking hold in the younger generation. They are rejecting the dualistic position of Liberal and Conservative. Instead they are post Liberal, post dualistic and are trying desperately to find a life in Jesus that does not embrace one of these two positions, but looks at the world more holistically. Now this movement is worthy of a much longer conversation. But for a start, please read a blog by a colleague of mine in Pasadena, Scott Daniels .

My point is, what is refreshing and gives me hope is that we can come here and talk about this. There is a healthy debate around these issues. I received a DVD on the dangers of spiritual formation practices, the emerging church and the post modern theological movements. I am also in a seminar with Dr. Daniels and others who are presenting the counter to this movement. That is how I want to address all of these issues. That we as a people would dialogue around them, listen to the points that each person is making and then pray that the Lord will help us discern where the truth is found. I know enough to know that I do not know everything, but I do have strong opinions on many of these issues. Although I think that I am right, I am old enough to know that I might be wrong. I want to hear from the other side.

And so we gather and we discuss and we pray and we worship together. We come together and we leave together with the core value that we are the Body of Christ. Like I said, I am very hopeful despite my cynicism and critical mentality. In my heart I know that Jesus is the center of all that we do and say. It is in Jesus that I hope, it is in Jesus that I trust and I ask that you would pray for us as we are praying for you.

 

Peace

Edwin