Ive been pretty busy this week! Havent had much of a chance to slow down but here I am with another poast...
When I think of church disputes I wonder, who is the person who should give in? If there is a congregation with older people with one set of values/vision and misison and the younger ones have a different one who should give in? Is there a compromise in the middle or do we follow whichever one is closest to Scripture?
Generally speaking the church in Australia has been trying to mix two completely different types of church together. Theres the people with a club mentality who want church for themselves and dont really care alot about those not in their club. People are welcome to join but they cant change the way they do things...
Then theres those who actively want to see people saved. They are outward focussed. Pastoral care etc takes a back seat in favour of everyone putting in, everyone being a minister, everyone helping, everyone saving people.
When these two come together they are different and the church has been trying to shift the first type of values to look more like the second set of values. The only problem is is that it is not working! The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. It is a way or evolution. We'll keep going and see what happens.
The other way it can be dealt with is to try and start something completely new. This is revolution. A drastic change. The church would be outward looking and not so insular. It would be a new plant built upon a set of values, and would be very clear what their purpose is.
Pros and cons are for both. Revolution could lose older generations, but get new people saved, evolution keeps generations together but its hard to get people saved.
What is the purpose of the church? What is the purpose of the Salvation Army? I would say to get people saved! That was Jesus' purpose.
As for me, Im beginning to think, are officers allowed to be revolutionaries? Or do they have to be maintainers of the evolution process that has been proven not to work? Am i too negative about evolution? Is it working somewhere? let me know!
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
Matthew 9:12
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Revolution or Evolution?
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2 comments:
Great questions James! Here are my thoughts:
?Whose values/vision/mission should a corps follow?
The Salvation Army's! There are different views on how to achieve our mission but our common aim is to get people saved.
?Are officers allowed to be revolutionaries?
Actually they are ordered to do so! Orders & Regulations for Corps Officers begins with the following:
Corps officers are charged to bring the message of salvation to the unconverted in their district, and to lead and train the soldiery to win souls for the Kingdom of God.
Pretty revolutionary stuff! I can't speak for other salvos but as a Corps officer I think I must become better at obeying my orders!
Hi James,
I share your passion for soul saving, as do so many in my age group. I wonder sometimes whether you mean old/older as opposed to new/newer or are you suggesting that people have a use by date. I know you are not ageist, and you and I both know a number of people well beyond middle age that work tirelessly for the Lord, and get results for Him.
I share your frustration, being young and energetic you want to charge into battle for these souls. I love you for that. Remember, a lot of people who are slowing up were once as dynamic as you are now, and one day your youth will be gone too.
I think you are really defining an aging culture rather than an aging population. You mention the club like mentality, and that is what must be revoluntionised regardless of the ages of the people it comprises. I have known people in their early 20s with very liberal views, and people in their 80s holding the youth together.
Integration seems good to me. Youth groups should not be separatist movements, church should not be exclusive, and corps council should not be boys club. We need to work together and value each other. Having said that, change is always good if it is necessary and progressive. If it doesnt work, make it redundant, if it does then keep it and continue to improve it.
Try to find balance, peace, love and unity within the corps without compromising mission. Pray.
Love,
Julie
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