ATSS: Skip Bell, “Re-Thinking Church – Are You Ready for Change?”
20 November 2024 |
It is not easy being the church. I am increasingly reminded of the humanity that accompanies our being a connected community of faith. I observe increasing worries over orthodoxy, anxiety around behaviors, reaction to secular culture, and exercise of power or control.
No, it is not easy being church.
Certainly an ecclesiology speaks to the vertical spiritual life. That is an essential foundation and priority in renewal. Ecclesiology also speaks to the life we experience together. What does our shared calling mean on the human dimension? That dimension of ecclesiology, relating to others, invites reflection and renewal. I consider that renewal urgent to our future as a faith community.
Four important perspectives of how we experience church on the human level invite attention and renewal if we are to be faithful in our
calling;
- the church as a relational community encouraging each other,
- the church as a serving community meeting other’s needs,
- the church as an evangelistic community sharing the gospel, and
- the church as a transforming community changing culture.
An adequate ecclesiology embraces all four perspectives on the human level. And therein lies the challenge – if all of the above how will we keep a bond of peace among those voicing singular priorities for the church? How then do we live in this world, in this time? How do we make decisions together? How do we relate to doctrinal issues? How do we relate to choices others make in their Christian living? How do we go about mission? In the process of being church our humanness can actually empower mission. A well-formed ecclesiology, when applied, is a path to transform our worldview, and ultimately our culture.
Teacher:
Skip Bell is Professor Emeritus of Church Leadership at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. He writes from Kennebunk, Maine.
Moderator:
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Coming up:
- Lena Toews
- Warren Trenchard
- Denis Fortin
- Mark Carr
