The "E" word: Part 1
Yes i let the word slip a few nights ago. EVANGELISM. does it have any meaning in our post christian world? getting folks "saved", "outreach", preaching to "the lost", things that I grew up believing were fundamental to any definition of the christian life. concepts and constructs which have not survived very well in my journey beyond modernity.
Along that avenue here in Edmonton which I referred to a couple posts back ("Whyte Ave.") there are die hard steeet "evangelists" one of which literally stands on a soap box and warns passersby of the impending doom should they not repent. others are not so overt (or irritating) and will attempt "outreaches". a popular acivity of local youth groups and organizations. these may involve prayer walks, handing out literature or sharing with people the "good news". depending on the groups predominant world view this could take on many forms and degrees of silliness. in our north american culture most established churches prefer to just run their in house programs and maybe people on the "outside" will come check out their parellel christian culture, maybe not, it doesn't really matter. but anyways i sure don't want to get into arguements on the church doorstep, i just don't have that kind of time or energy. bottom line is i along with others am a "post evangelical" but none the less evangelical. like i've said before my faith in jesus has survived the deconstruction process whereas for many it leads to agnostisism or even atheism.
what i'd like to focus on is positive ways to create a public presence where the story of god's love is made known to the nations. giving up our "conversion" mentalities for "contibuting" ones. and naturally my focus is in the arts, being a creative redemptive community within and upon this earth now.
what sorts of creative culture can be cultivated and released into human consciousness in the public forum?
to be continued
Along that avenue here in Edmonton which I referred to a couple posts back ("Whyte Ave.") there are die hard steeet "evangelists" one of which literally stands on a soap box and warns passersby of the impending doom should they not repent. others are not so overt (or irritating) and will attempt "outreaches". a popular acivity of local youth groups and organizations. these may involve prayer walks, handing out literature or sharing with people the "good news". depending on the groups predominant world view this could take on many forms and degrees of silliness. in our north american culture most established churches prefer to just run their in house programs and maybe people on the "outside" will come check out their parellel christian culture, maybe not, it doesn't really matter. but anyways i sure don't want to get into arguements on the church doorstep, i just don't have that kind of time or energy. bottom line is i along with others am a "post evangelical" but none the less evangelical. like i've said before my faith in jesus has survived the deconstruction process whereas for many it leads to agnostisism or even atheism.
what i'd like to focus on is positive ways to create a public presence where the story of god's love is made known to the nations. giving up our "conversion" mentalities for "contibuting" ones. and naturally my focus is in the arts, being a creative redemptive community within and upon this earth now.
what sorts of creative culture can be cultivated and released into human consciousness in the public forum?
to be continued
posted by Paul Seburn at Sunday, May 29, 2005
4 Comments:
Paul, back at you. Glad to know there are more Edmontonians who are jumping online and sharing their thoughts. The problem with evangelism is that we haven't been proclaiming the Kingdom, that it is here and can change people's lives beyond their Sunday schedules. The message needs to change, but I think it is pretty tough to leave evangelism behind.
In the words of my aunt, "Instead of protecting the faith, we need to proclaim the faith." I think we still need to let the message out (I'm sure you agree) - and I definately think that we need to be a redemptive presence in this world to be taken at all seriously. You're right - traditional evangelism can be silly.
Amen Erika!! My dad and I were talking yesterday about a book he has recently finished called "A Gentle Orthodoxy" which takes a look at the modern church outside of the modern evangelism that we have come to embrace. I think this is my next "must read" anybody read it?
Paul, do you have The House bugged or are you just psychic? It seems like either you mention something on your blog and then it comes up at The House or visa versa. We just talked about this very thing during our service this past Sunday. Matt even posted about it on The new House blog (thcblog.blogspot.com...that stand for The House Community not the THC that you're thinking of). A big influence in our approach to evangelism *shudder* comes from Doug Pagitt and the community of Solomon's Porch. He says that if our "christianity" benefits only us then we have missed the point.
Our community is now at a point where we need to begin implementing how this will actually happen. I personally feel that working in community will be the key to "success" in impacting our "neighbours". Rather than telling each individual to go forth and feed the poor etc. I would like to see us do it together, for accountability, strength, and maybe we'll even have fun together.
Fun evengelizing...is that even biblical?
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