Conformed

One of the hallmarks of the fundamentalist movement has been its methods of engaging with the culture. The thought behind it appears to have been that the culture is rather vile, so there are a couple ways to respond. The first mirrors the Pharisaical reponse to Roman culture two centuries or so on either side of Christ. There, the thought was that if the culture could be outwardly purified enough, Messiah’s reign would arrive.

Other fundamentalists (some while doing some of the above) opted for an Essene-style reaction by ejecting from the culture so they would become a stark contrast to Roman (hence, American) culture.

In both cases, the response fails miserably. Engaging the culture through politics and protest does more damage to our ability to have a voice above the issues than it helps it. Why are Christians who protest that Christianity supports a better quality of life those who angerly picket abortion clinics with faces of rage? Its no wonder that Christians are thought to be anything but Christ-like.

We should be culturally savvy. In the world, but not part of it. We should enjoy its good, but not tinkering with its ugly side. And no, I don’t mean ignoring the ugly. I mean not becoming ugly.

“Even so, life with Christ in the Roman world will require a specific set of skills. Mindless, undisciplined Christians will soon find themselves extruded into a foreign mold by the viselike pressure of Roman outlooks and practices.” – Christopher A. Hall (Renovate Bible, 1 Peter)

“The Annointing”

Some segments of the body of Christ get really excited about the über Christianese term “annointing.” Many messages and conferences have been devoted to this subject. Yet, there’s something missing in this pursuit. Christians that pursue this tend to ascribe to the ATM model of Christianity that turns prayer into a spiritual economy of praying in exchange for whatever you want.

Prayer is super important and doesn’t happen enough. However, I’m not seeing much in our New Testament bringing this to the forefront. Nothing says, “seek first the annointing and all these things will come hook you up.” Christians should uncover their gifts and talents, but this is not to be our top pursuit. We seek the Kingdom coming in Heaven just like on our planet.

Collaborative Generation

I have a relatively under radar meeting once a month as a part of our youth church that really goes against the grain of traditional church methods. We do very little promotion of the event, while any promotion is as non-hype as possible.

Typically 20 or so students come, primarily from traditional church backgrounds. We bait with a few snacks, worship a bit with a bare-bones band, and then have the teaching time. I stand at a large whiteboard, introduce a topic, and direct traffic. The students collectively discuss the topic to arrive at group conclusion. The content can be a bit more Platonic, but draws largely on discussing main ideas from the Bible, rather than individual passages.

Students are very favorable towards the model. The atmosphere is a hybrid between a college class and a coffeeshop. This style will only work with older Millennials for now, but may become increasingly powerful.