I’m still reading Tim Keller’s essays on The Decline and Renewal of the American Church, some of which is very American specific, but much of it also translates into the wider Christian world. Definitely worth reading, he offers a genuine plan for revival and renewal in a post-Christian world, my commentary is below.
Jesus charged his disciples with the task of making disciples. And the Father empowered them with his spirit to fulfill that task, which also includes witnessing Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
I think the church has become to focused on social issues, activism, welfare programs. And although they are good and important, they don’t necessarily fulfill Jesus’ commission to his church—to witness his resurrection and make disciples by teaching them to obey his commands.
Like the first century church, we today need that empowerment of the spirit of God. The pattern we see in Acts is being in one accord and one mind, in prayer, and waiting.
Our societies don’t need more Christian social programs. People are in need of experiencing something supernatural from God. They need to see God in action, giving them a glimpse of what is to come for those who believe, through miraculous works.
The real work will be to get Christian tribes to be of one mind and accord, to pray together and wait.
Perhaps the thing missing here is the Pentecostal element? (It may be in the book.) The Charismatic renewal from 50's to 70's was significant in church life. And perhaps things went wrong there in places, too, with the strange 'charismania' that is usually the part of the church that now gets reported on. Do we need to rediscover the early strengths of that movement, too? I spent 10 years in a London Anglican church that the local Pentecostal minister described as 'more Pentecostal than his fellowship.' We got some things wrong, but there was an awful lot of good that came out of the church - for me it was life changing. The blending of the liturgical and the Spirit was a good balance, in both directions.
Jesus charged his disciples with the task of making disciples. And the Father empowered them with his spirit to fulfill that task, which also includes witnessing Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
I think the church has become to focused on social issues, activism, welfare programs. And although they are good and important, they don’t necessarily fulfill Jesus’ commission to his church—to witness his resurrection and make disciples by teaching them to obey his commands.
Like the first century church, we today need that empowerment of the spirit of God. The pattern we see in Acts is being in one accord and one mind, in prayer, and waiting.
Our societies don’t need more Christian social programs. People are in need of experiencing something supernatural from God. They need to see God in action, giving them a glimpse of what is to come for those who believe, through miraculous works.
The real work will be to get Christian tribes to be of one mind and accord, to pray together and wait.
Perhaps the thing missing here is the Pentecostal element? (It may be in the book.) The Charismatic renewal from 50's to 70's was significant in church life. And perhaps things went wrong there in places, too, with the strange 'charismania' that is usually the part of the church that now gets reported on. Do we need to rediscover the early strengths of that movement, too? I spent 10 years in a London Anglican church that the local Pentecostal minister described as 'more Pentecostal than his fellowship.' We got some things wrong, but there was an awful lot of good that came out of the church - for me it was life changing. The blending of the liturgical and the Spirit was a good balance, in both directions.