2 Years Later

2011 March 03

by Tyler

25 months ago I wrote what I think is my longest blog post ever, entitled “My Church Manifesto.” A truly arrogant title, and a post that I was and am clearly under-qualified to write.

In the post I outlined some specific changes I see the local church going through in the short-term and long-term future. If you’re new to reading this blog, I’d highly encourage you to read it and especially check out the comments after the post.

Anytime I write about the struggles and/or future of the local church in Western culture there’s always someone who quotes “the gates of Hades will not prevail against it,” to prove that somehow every local church is safe from difficult times. I believe the verse is true, but I also believe it to be true of the church, as the body of Christ, comprised of all believers, not all churches.

I’m working on putting together a post that follows up the long manifesto post (I promise, it will be shorter), but I’d love to hear from some of you as I prepare it.

What shifts in Christianity and within churches have you seen already taking place in the last 2 years?

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http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com Kyle Reed

I hope you do not mind me being “that guy”, but instead of me writing it in the comments how about a link to some problems I outlined a while back:
http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/two-major-problems-the-church-faces-today/
http://www.contentunderpressure.net Josh

Man, tough question…

I think we’ve seen the Christian celebrity-ness within the church (American, especially) only get worse in the last two years, and I think there’s an even greater focus on Sunday morning production than two years ago. That discourages me a bit.

I have seen, however, a greater shift in awareness and compassion for the oppressed from my generation. I’m really excited about that. My prayer is for an increasing heart for those things that will require action. A lot of us have had our “causes” for a while with no movement…myself included.
http://www.contentunderpressure.net Josh

You are SO that guy, Kyle.
http://www.manofdepravity.com Tyler

I guess I’ll allow it
shellie (baylormum)

So many thoughts in my head at once!! I went back & read your “Manifesto” post & reread Kyle’s. You guys are of the same generation as my 24 y/o daughter.
I don’t attend church anymore. Unless I go with my daughter. I, like Kyle, grew up in a church. Sunday school, summer camp, choir, catechism; you know, Traditional 60′s/70′s growing up. It was in college when I got involved with Campus Crusade that I really saw that I could carry God’s message into places other than church or a Bible study. I liked moving in the community. Outside of the (C)hurch. No denomination. Learning it isn’t what’s in a building, it’s about what goes on the other 6 days a week. Learning that my actions from the heart can make a difference in those with hard hearts. It was exhilarating!!
Then I got married & fell away from all things church. My Bible got dusty sitting in a drawer. Then came addiction. And recovery. And a return to a God who never left me. Funny how much “change” I have seen in my lifetime. Also in this addiction season, my daughter started going to church. A fairly traditional church. She accepted Christ as a young teen and has never wavered from that belief!
Going to ubc in Waco with her, for the first time, was a thrill. Opening worship with dc*b, then the pastor & a seminary intern took the stage. And did kind of stand-up for the announcements & welcome to the parent kind of thing. It was laid back. Talk about change in the way God’s people are making in their communities!
I see that now in the church in which she has been going to since graduating & moving to Austin. It is a community church. Early in the planting (~3 years or so). In the process of moving from the coffee shop/theater they’ve been meeting in to a real building of their own! I love the small group concept. It reminds me of the summer I spent on a Campus Crusade mission. There were 50 of us. We were split among 5 or 6 churches in the area. We covered so many denominations & ground! I think we made an impact in these smaller groups. Easier on “crowd” control.
I love this concept!! I’m not the door-to-door kinda girl, but we all have a part to play. In how we speak. How we act. How we do it with humility. And passion. And urgency without condemnation.
One of the Traditions in the 12-step program I adhere to is something along the line that “our leaders are but Trusted servants, they do not govern”. I believe that this should be my approach in my Christian life as well.
I also see a shift in the internet community. I am still in awe at the people that have been in my path in the past 2 years! From all around the world. It helps me see the diversity of the world. From reading about others suggestions. And disasters. What seems to work, and what doesn’t. And there is a lot that doesn’t. Today’s church is more than just a Sunday “production”. It is back to the 7-day-a-week footwork. 365 days a year. Not 1-day-a-week.