As we continue to refine our use of this technology (blogging) I thought I would venture this week outside of devotionals and engage people on different topics. (some serious....some humorous)
I was watching a show on the Discovery Channel tonight and as I was fast forwarding through commercials I came across an advertisement for the United Methodist Church. They were promoting a new ministry or focus in the denomination called "Rethink Church: 10K Doors". Here is their tag line off of the commercial and their website:
"What if church wasn't just a building, but thousands of doors? Each of them opening up to a different concept or experience of church - and a journey that could change our world. Would you come?"
As you walk through the website there is a strong focus on "Doing" especially in the area of social justice, staying current in world news, inviting dialog, inviting diversity of perspective, giving people a voice, and engaging people who are looking to "rethink" church. As I read their tag line these elements stand out to me....
1. challenging a previous understanding of church
2. inviting people to rethink what they understand the church to be
3. seeking diversity (of thoughts, perspectives, religious understandings)
4. inviting people to experience/journey
5. this journey has a strong element of doing.
6. Inviting people to be apart of something new/fresh
I am left with questions....questions that made me want to know more about the culture we find ourselves in and the same culture that this church is reaching out to.
1. What portion of our culture (church or unchurched) feels the need to rethink church?
2. What are the major elements of rethinking that people feel need to go on in the church?
3. Is there any pitfalls or blind spots to our cultures apparent affinity for a "doing mentality"?
4. Where does Jesus fit in all of this?
This is raw for me and I am still thinking this through. I wonder how others feel about movements like this in the church today?
I was watching a show on the Discovery Channel tonight and as I was fast forwarding through commercials I came across an advertisement for the United Methodist Church. They were promoting a new ministry or focus in the denomination called "Rethink Church: 10K Doors". Here is their tag line off of the commercial and their website:
"What if church wasn't just a building, but thousands of doors? Each of them opening up to a different concept or experience of church - and a journey that could change our world. Would you come?"
As you walk through the website there is a strong focus on "Doing" especially in the area of social justice, staying current in world news, inviting dialog, inviting diversity of perspective, giving people a voice, and engaging people who are looking to "rethink" church. As I read their tag line these elements stand out to me....
1. challenging a previous understanding of church
2. inviting people to rethink what they understand the church to be
3. seeking diversity (of thoughts, perspectives, religious understandings)
4. inviting people to experience/journey
5. this journey has a strong element of doing.
6. Inviting people to be apart of something new/fresh
I am left with questions....questions that made me want to know more about the culture we find ourselves in and the same culture that this church is reaching out to.
1. What portion of our culture (church or unchurched) feels the need to rethink church?
2. What are the major elements of rethinking that people feel need to go on in the church?
3. Is there any pitfalls or blind spots to our cultures apparent affinity for a "doing mentality"?
4. Where does Jesus fit in all of this?
This is raw for me and I am still thinking this through. I wonder how others feel about movements like this in the church today?
Great post, Brian. Not having seen the website, I'm wondering whether "rethinking" church means that we should rethink what the church *is* (essence/form) or that we should rethink what the church *does* (function). Also, I don't see an emphasis on "doing" as all that bad, especially if it's being contrasted with just "knowing." Actually, the two should go together, but it seems that the pendulum always swings one way or the other.
I think the rethinking they are talking about is both. They use this images of doors and journey which leads me to think about essence or form but at the same time I think there is a significant focus on doing. To your comment on doing....I agree with you. What I hear from you is balance.....my suggestion though is that the blind spot could be when we don't balance doing with knowing. Good comment Armida!