Boring and simple?

As you know, I have wanted to try to understand some of the reasons why I am so unhappy with the institution we call church. Others, including Christian academics, pastors and sincere laypeople, knowledgeable people, are also concerned. Some are equally unhappy. Some are angry. Many have been considering the matter for some time and are rethinking old ways, discussing new ideas about theology, ecclesiology and practice (praxis), and moving on with new forms of “church”. These people love the the Lord Jesus and the “body” but are disillusioned with the institution, the tired formulas and agendas, the predictable simplistic responses to so many issues, the hypocrisy, lack of grace and understanding, the absence of real love to one another and to all people in our communities, the unwillingness to really sacrifice, so little change in those who attend, the laity/clergy divide, highly structured and performance driven Sunday gatherings, and so many other things. In the end I and others have no sense that the institution as it exists presently is the radical and dynamic community that can impact our present world. And so we are emerging – reconsidering where we’ve been and where we want to go, trying to determine what the body known as “the church” should look like and how it should act in this new, post modern time. In particular there is the movement known as the emergent church. They point out the cultural shift from modern to postmodern thinking and the failure of the church to appreciate the shift and transform itself to meet the new paradigm.

My interest is in understanding some basics of the conversation about modern/post-modern thinking. I want to take the ideas (deconstruction, determinism, rationalism, etc.) and simplify them so I can understand the concepts. Then I want to consider the argument and the changes being suggested, so I can be involved and relevant.

I am acutely aware that others have said the same things I will say, at an earlier time, and in a more profound way. Since I have no background in philosophy or history, I wonder if my simplistic summary of what I read and think will be helpful. Recently a friend from the church I previously attended, trying to be kind, suggested that my conversation about the church was discouraging. Many people didn’t want this kind of conversation and it might be preferable to carry on smiling, acting as if nothing was wrong, and occasionally seek change by writing the odd letter to the church board or asking a pointed question at a general meeting. Well like everybody, I want to be liked and so to be both discouraging and boring is a pretty tough label to wear. But I think that attempting to be involved in the critical discussion about the institution which Jesus left to carry on His work is more important than worrying about being foolish, and so I’m going to set out my simplistic thoughts regardless. As well, it’s personal. I’m looking for that abundant satisfying life of adventure that’s been promised, and I need to believe there is a better future, and if so pursue it.