While specific to the SBC, this article hits many of the same issues that I posted previously. When you hear over and over that the issue is getting “back to the basics”–the same basics that most churches never left–you know that any denomination’s leadership is as clueless as they can be about the reality surrounding their own decline.
The issue is that “the basics” are no longer a part of the culture, thus getting “back to the basics” doesn’t affect the culture. Sadly, it gives us a sense of false hope as if merely doing things by rote is the answer. “Pray more.” What about responding to and living out the answers to prayer that God is already giving? “Pray more.” What if God has given the answer, but we’ve so assured ourselves of what the answer should be that we don’t recognize the voice of God when He speaks? “Pray more.” What happens when the answers to those prayers are then equated with “worldliness” or “cultural accommodation”?
“Witness more.” Really? What if it takes years to prepare the soil so that the seed of the gospel can even be watered, much less take root? Have we forgotten that seed thrown on hard soil can actually be washed away by water, not to mention plucked up by the Devil? All those smashmouth evangelism efforts may have accomplished absolutely nothing in the way of preparing human hearts. “Witness more.” What if damage control from a thousand hypocritical Christians has to be put into place before the unbeliever will even give us a hearing? “Witness more.” What if they have never understood one word of our gospel spiel since we are, for all intents and purposes, not speaking a language they understand?
“Don’t be like the culture.” I’ve got news for you we are already like the culture. Our presence is part of what makes the culture. What we do not need to be like is the world: living by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Playing an Eagles song in a worship service is no more worldly than going to an opera the night before. “Don’t be like the culture.” And how, exactly does one suppose to get the gospel into it? Open the windows of the temple and throw the seed toward the target? If we are not living in the culture, not only are we not living like sojourners and pilgrims, we are not living like Christ.
How about let’s get back to these basics: (1) Exegeting the culture so as to infiltrate it with the kingdom of God. (2) Befriending those who are victims of the Enemy rather than treating them like the enemy. (3) Using stones to create God-honoring landscapes, rather than throwing them at those who aren’t like us (that’s actually a metaphor). (4) Actually being salt and light in our cultures rather than thinking that we already are by virtue of being saved. (5) Leaving behind all the quasi-religious, expired denominational, hindering traditions that weigh us down so that we can run with endurance the race that is set before us.
End of rant.
Marty,
Amen! We don’t live in the 1950’s anymore! We have to be students of culture and realize what worked 10 years ago doesn’t work today. Man, what worked 2 years doesn’t always work today.
Comment by Kevin Bussey — June 7, 2008 @ 10:53 am
We just need another evangelism strategy and an SBC president with an emphasis on evangelism. That will change everything. Also, we need to get rid of everyone who has a glass of wine once in a while. One more thing: we need churches loyal to the CP. That way, our denominational bureacracy can have more money to reach the world for Christ and do foreign missions, since that is what the money is always used for. Yep, if we just try harder, everything will be okay. I mean, doesn’t anyone remember the 1950’s when we were in our glory days? Things worked pretty well back then. Well, except for having the liberals in charge. That wasn’t good. Okay, if we can do what we did in the 1950’s minus the liberals, everything will be great! Perhaps we could set up a new denominational training structure to help our churches be like they were in the 1950’s (minus the liberals – racism optional) and we can drip training down through the state conventions and local associations. Of course, that will cost money, so we better get those CP gifts up. Maybe we could have another special Sunday called “Back To the Past.” We will have it right after we have the “Read the Alabama Baptist Sunday” that I was just informed about in the mail.
I keep doing what they tell me and I don’t know why our church isn’t growing. That’s okay. I’ll get all the training and inspiriation I need at the Pastor’s Conference next year. I love hearing about all the things I’m supposed to be against. I can’t afford to go this year, but next year I told my wife that our whole family is taking our vacation at the SBC. She isn’t talking to me right now, but that’s okay. She’ll come around.
Marty, I think that you’re wrong about all of this. With just a little tweaking, an ongoing, never-say-die Conservative Resugence, two revivals a year led by an evangelist, more resolutions against other people’s sins, and some more programs, we’ll be fine. The lost are just waiting for us to get back to basics.
Comment by Alan Cross — June 7, 2008 @ 11:03 am
Marty,
Can I hang out with you for one day? It would only be one day, and not your day off. Can I, please?
:)
Tim Dahl
Comment by Tim Dahl — June 7, 2008 @ 11:30 am
Tim-
I’m honored. Come spend a day?
*Channeling Napoleon Dynamite* “Heck, yes!”
Comment by Marty Duren — June 7, 2008 @ 11:40 am
David skids in, fresh from attending a last run through of a “Mission OK” (backyard Bible club like) event with a group from another church, which included hearing a year’s worth of banjo on “The B-I-B-L-E” that is the book for me, and wonders what the heck is Marty talking about?
Won’t 1.5 hours over 3 days of Bible stories, songs like Give me a “J” for Jesus, puppets, crafts and water fun win Valparaiso for Jesus?
What?
I’m I missing something?
David
Comment by David Wilson — June 7, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
Marty,
So here I am at the great Zoo Outpouring known as the Annual Meeting of the SBC and yours is the first thing I read.
On second thought, animals in a zoo are in cages. Make that a Jungle Outpouring.
I presume the basics we’re supposed to go back to are the ones that built an army with a 50% AWOL rate. That does NOT sound like a 20th Century tactic, to me. Let alone 21st Century. I personally think a raft of well educated, gifted women as teachers could probably sort the whole thing out.
No, wait. We already tried that (Can you tell I spent Thursday morning visiting with Dr. Sheri Klouda?).
Comment by Bob Cleveland — June 7, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
Marty~
Not sure if you remember me. We talked a long time ago about a lot of stuff. Well, if you consider 3 years ago a long time, it was a long time ago. A lot has happend in life with me and after reading this I see a lot has happend in ministry in regards to you. I see you have co-authored a book. Kudos. I wanted to stop by because I found your name while researching Missional.
I’m living in Indianapolis now. I’m not sure if you will be here for the convention, but I would love to meet up with you or anyone else for that matter. I’m no longer affliated with the SBC from a vocational ministry perspective or a worship perspective, but of course my roots are SBC. I’m a part of the UMC now for a number of reasons. One, admittedly, because I married a Methodist :). But, I haven’t had many conversations with relevant SBCer’s lately and didn’t know if you are anyone you know might be in town and would want to join me for lunch.
I hope all is well and that I hear from you soon.
P.S.: I left a message at your church with my number if you’d like to contact me. Peace.
Comment by Thorny — June 10, 2008 @ 9:52 am