I am currently taking a class called Spiritual Discipline And Development. The focus of this class is on the 12 spiritual disciplines that are listed below. As you can see they fall into one of three categories. This is something that I am just beginning to study, but I hope to gain a greater understanding of these disciplines. As I learn and formulate opinions, I will share how and why they each are important to the Christian life.
The Inward Disciplines
- Meditation
- Prayer
- Fasting
- Study
The Outward Disciplines
- Simplicity
- Solitude
- Submission
- Service
The Corporate Disciplines
- Confession
- Worship
- Guidance
- Celebration
Christian Living
I am all for breaking away from the tradition model of church that is so prevalent in America and committing more to the biblical model. For example, I believe that door-to-door visitation is a weak substitute for true evangelism. In my opinion, it is good to try new and different methods. I think Sunday School is usually ineffective and a waste of time…let’s mix it up and try something different. I believe that not being able to explain why you believe something is really no different than not having a belief to begin with. Let’s focus on learning how to defend our faith in a more logical manner. I am all for trying new methodology and new formats and different programs and styles. I believe that doing so is both necessary and healthy as long as the Bible is still the focus.
The problem is that so many that are breaking outside of the box in terms of ministry are also failing to take a firm stand on Scripture. As a result all who are non-traditional in church format are often labeled as unbiblical. We need to realize that many of the churches that are non-traditional are not unbiblical…just different. However, there are many who do fail to take a strong stand on issues that our society deems controversial. Here are a few.
Homosexuality- Many in the non-traditional emerging church movement fail to take a stance on this issue. While I admire and respect their effort to reach out and minister to this often avoided and even hated group of people, the Bible is clear that homosexuality is sin. There must be a balance between taking a biblical stand on this issue (which the emergent church does not do) and reaching out and intentionally ministering to those who practice homosexuality (which those in traditional churches do not do).
Holiness/Morality- Many in non-traditional churches focus so much on God’s love and forgiveness that the reality of his perfect holiness is ignored. I am all for telling people about God’s love and forgiveness…it is who God is. But at the same time God is holy, and a holy God demands holy followers. There must be a balance between focusing on God’s love and on His holiness. A neglect of either has a significant impact on the lives that believers live.
The Reality of Hell- This is another issue that is often avoided in the emerging church movement. There is such a focus on discovering God in this journey that we call life that the destination is ignored. I firmly believe that we should desire to know God more and grow spiritually and be all that we can be in Christ. But there is a reason that Jesus talked about Hell more than any other person in Scripture. He did so because it is a reality. There is a coming judgment, and it should not be ignored.
Again, I am all for breaking out of the box of traditional ministry and trying new methods and new approaches. But doing so to the neglect of taking a strong stand on biblical issues is foolish and ultimately undermines the cause of Christ. We must remain true to the Bible in the midst of traditional as well as non-traditional ministry.
- Pastor Jeremy
Christian Living, Church