The Blind Beggar

Chuck Warnock over at Confessions of A Small-Church Pastor has noted six major shifts taking place within the church today. Most of us know this stuff, but its good to be reminded of how things have fundamentally changed in a post-Christian culture.

Six major shifts are taking place in churches — large and small — and here’s how your church can benefit:

1. The shift from observation to participation. I read a quote from a 23-year old graphic designer recently who said about her generation, “We’re creators.” The age of the spectator in worship, learning, and service is over. People want to participate, not just observe.

2. The shift from religious education to spiritual formation. During the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, the education model drove church programs. Church buildings consisted of a maze of small classrooms. Churches enlisted “teachers” and planned curriculum. Now the shift is to spiritual formation. Willow Creek has just discovered that church programs, based only on an educational model, don’t make better disciples. Spiritual formation — building in the practices of faith in everyday life — produces “self-feeders” that Bill Hybels now says he wants to produce.

3. The shift from “what does it mean” to “what does it say” in Scripture reading. Ancient practices like lectio divina — divine reading — make followers of Christ aware of what Scripture is saying to them, not just what it means. Paul literally wrote, “All Scripture God-breathed.” The old view has interpreted that to be the explanation for how scripture was inspired. The new view interprets that passage as meaning that God is present today in the pages of Scripture and that God speaks through Scripture to us now.

4. The shift from “hereafter” to the “here-and-now.” Following Christ is not just about going to heaven when you die. Rick Warren’s PEACE plan for aid to developing countries, and his ministry to those with AIDS has helped broaden evangelical awareness of our call to do things now. Care for creation, service to community, engagement with culture — are examples of the shift that there is good news in this life, too.

5. The shift from the individual to the community. For the past 100+ years, we’ve focused on the individual as focus for salvation and spiritual growth. We now realize that community is both the incubator and facilitator of our spiritual lives. New expressions of community are helping people find their calling, their passions, and a new relationship with God.

6. The shift from belief to practice. People want to do something to express their spiritual commitment now, not just learn something. More groups are now focused on “doing” rather than “meeting.” The ancient idea of the apprentice is that a person learned by doing, not just listening. The spiritual director of the ancient abbeys provided guidance in how to live, not just what to believe.

Feed for this entry. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.