My dear friend,
I am delighted to know that you found a good class and prof. The next church leaders will not come from seminary but from the school of world missions. It is that understanding that we must have. Not the perpetuation of old models but an understanding of the culture and the gospel in the midst of it. We are old, white, male, upperclass, control... driven instead of "least of these" driven. To not dominate but to serve (not just provide) but to be people of humility. Thomas Merton says that is the beginning of faith. Being unimportant must be our vision. "I must decrease..."
The PCUSA does not "get it" and probably never will, but are you relying on them to get it so you can have a job or is God sending you to a people group, who may belong to a Presbyterian church, to disciple them. The problem is that we have distain for our culture. Christ tells the disciples to begin ministering with Israel. If they reject it, shake the dust loose from your feet (get unplanted) and move to the next place that He is calling you. The calling gets further from center each time. Understand, these people in the center have a comfort that they have been working for all their lives. They now have education, property, power, control, influence, etc. because they followed the rules. They invested, did without, raise kids, paid taxes, financed camps and colleges, etc. Now some new group (mostly white, raised in influence, educated in expensive colleges, worked in churches, drink $3.00 cups of coffee, etc) wants to change all of that in the name of authenticity. I am not saying that the emerging church should not be discussed but there has to be proper perspective and love.
Authenticity in America is silicone enhanced, like Pam Anderson, with all due respect to her. Some are saying it must LOOK like this, not BE like this. (Or is it .bE) Authenticity should be that we bring Christ to the lives of all people. All people. Jesus said it was impossible for the rich, then He adds, but all things are possible with God. We don't include that line much when we discuss the rich. I believe the rich, young ruler did follow Christ, not because he changed but God moved in the spirit to change his heart. How will they know unless they are told and how will they be told unless someone is sent. It is possible for the PCUSA because with God all things are.
The question is, my friend, are you being equipped and to whom are you sent? I can't tell you that, that is between you and God. If you are being equipped, what kind of equipping do you have? Like the adventurer, are you equipped for cold or hot weather climates, jungle or urban, desert or mountain? Are you being equipped for Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Eygpt, or the ends of the world? To the PCUSA or to a people that aren't churched?
In between Chapters 12 and 14 of 1 Corinthians is chapter 13. How will you use your equipment? It must be with love and respect for the people to whom you were sent.
Go to mass, sit and listen...
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