On Monday I finished 'Planting New Churches in a Postmodern Age' by Ed Stetzer. It was very good. Of course you wouldn't enjoy it unless planting a church was a viable option for your future (as he is VERY practical and hands-on & it is long). He has a doctorate from Southern, and used to teach there before he moved over to help with the North American Missions Board. He emphasizes theology, encourages biblical models and principles, and focuses on being relevant to your surrounding culture, or being missional (sorry Mark). "The concept of missio Dei, the mission of God, is recognition that God is a sending God, and the church is sent. It is the most important mission in the Scriptures. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of that mission; the Holy Spirit is the power of that mission; the church is the instrument of that mission; and the culture is the context in which that mission occurs." (22)
"There is no basis, biblically or theologically, for the territorial distinction of missions and evangelism." (28)
"Postmoderns do not want to hear about Christianity; they want to see Christianity in action." (141)
"Postmodern preachers don't populate the pews; they connect people to the living Christ. Postmodern evangelism doesn't say to the world, 'Come to the church.' Rather it says to the church, 'Go to the world.'"
"When the church exists for feeding believers only, those believers become spiritual sponges that absorb more and more knowledge. If those sponges do nothing but soak in a pool of their own learning, they eventually sour. An unchurched person can hardly feel welcome in such a setting." (268)
"All biblical preaching is expositional preaching." (276) "The church planter must allow the text to set the agenda and to address the issues." (277)
11 comments:
Those were some good quotes. They kinda defined some things I had in my mind but couldn't put into words. The quote about church being for believers only I might have to work with a bit. I think I understand what he means: If the weekly gatherings are so focused on believers to the point there is no sensitivity to the presence of unbelievers then there is a need for reevaluation.
I like those quotes.
Here's a question: Should we be so in love with people coming to faith in Christ and having their lives changed for the glory of God that we as believers should be happy with lighter services if people are really being saved? Or, another way, should we be more in pursuit of salvation above sanctification? I know that you said that that guy emphasized biblical preaching. But, it's just a question I've been asking myself. Should we be getting all upset with PaulAnn and places that are "lighter" if people are really being revived? Since we as believers are already saved, should we pay closer attention to Luke 15:7?
Also, "all biblical preaching is expositional preaching?" I would have to think about that one. What does he mean by "biblical" preaching?
Anyway. That is enough outta me. Peace
I think we should pay more attention to Lk 15, and focus more on souls being saved, but not at the cost of lighter services, esp. if you mean candy-coating the way some of them are doing. Balance is the key. I recently read that Willow Creek has an evangelistic service on sunday, and then they go deeper during the week for the members of the church. This is definitely better than all fluff, but I still don't like it. We can never compromise doctrine (as you know). He has a generous view of expositional preaching. He just means to 'explain the meaning and intent of the bible', not necessarily thru books, although I think he'd be all for that.
Yeah. It's about balance, but it's hard I think. We want all to leave our services feeling like they've engaged God in some way. It's just hard to do that for everyone. There are babes, mature, unconverted, and everywhere in between in most services. Someone is going to get left out at some point. Ministry is freaking hard. My mind is flying with questions right now. I am discouraged and encouraged at the same time. I just rest on Mark 4:26-29 for now. The Lord does ministry - in all kinds of services, preaching, music, and programs. The question is about which one is most true to a Theocentric (and of course, Calvinistic) approach...
(Sorry for all you who read that and are not Calvinists. It's just the way it is.)
Peace.
Small world - great assessment in the first half of what it takes to reach postmoderns; I wasn't as pumped about the practical stuff in the 2nd half though.
I agree, the first half was much better than the second, but that would probably be different if I were about to plant a church.
I really liked, and identified with, the quote on p. 268. I knew the first part was true, but I hadn't thought much about the 2nd part. Thanks. I think I need to read this book.
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