What time is it?

A few months ago I cancelled my bloglines subscriptions to many emerging/postmodern/missional/dochurchdifferent blogs. Yes, there is a time to criticize, reflect upon and review how things are being done, but it's just not helpful to sit deeply in that posture for long - you end up stiff, cranky and critical. Better to get up and get busy doing things the the best way that you know how. I needed to be doing. Just like in many areas of my life, I realized I was educated way beyond my obedience. For now, I've read enough about new paradigms, structures and church plants. I know the arguments for mega-church, house-church, wholistic-organic-church and frankly I'm not really convinced that one is any better than another. Sticking the word missional on something doesn't make it missional. Finding your particular church structure in history doesn't make you right. The groups of Followers that I want to learn from don't write blogs or books about "how it should be done." They are too caught up in doing it and it's too messy to fit into a new "paradigm." I am realizing that there comes a time when a drop of inspiration is much more valuable than a waterfall of education. 
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The above thoughts bubbled up last week when I checked out a few of the blogs I had previously followed and discovered that the latest thing causing a stir is this book. Which makes me think that if you really want to make some money you need to write a book that makes outlandish statements about Christianity or the church simply because anything that criticizes the way things are done or believed is guaranteed to sell and cause a stir (or if you'd rather, just wait until the next secular author writes a best-seller and then write a "Christian  Response" to it, that way you can use their title, graphics, fonts and marketing plan!).

Comments

[Erik]

I must admit to growing up in a military family Steve. "Constructive Criticism" was a way of life! The trick was not to take anything personal. See the truth within and throw the rest away.

That said, I think that is what most postmodern authors are attempting to do with regards to the church. It is not meant to be personal rather; they are statements within the context of metaphorical application. Yes, there is over lap and even restatement. At best mostly because it is a continuing dialogue and exploration of truth. Yet, isn't everything just a "newer" version of something old anyways. (Proverbs)

I am actually currently reading an ancient "pagan" text by Sun Tzu called 'The Art of War'. Here is a quote I thought you might like to ponder:

"Ultimate excellence lies
Not in winning
Every battle
But in defeating the enemy
Without ever fighting.
The highest form of warfare
Is to attack
Strategy itself."

Anyways, Alan Hirsch actually wrote a response to 'Pagan Christianity' this morning which I thought you might like to check out too: http://www.theforgottenways.org/blog/2008/01/13/viola-strikes-back-pun-intended/. Love to hear more of your thoughts!