[sydneyanglicans.net] 29 Jul 2008--Willow Creek is abandoning its famous seeker services after nearly 30 years of running weekend services tailored explicitly to the unbeliever. The American megachurch now plans to gear its weekend services towards more mature believers seeking to grow in their faith (Christianity Today, June 2008).
Apparently the church decided it had gone too far towards making church relevant to its target community and not enough towards building up the integrity and strength of the Christian faith internally.
The tension between relevance and integrity very much lies with us here in Sydney. One thing I really love about our clergy and people is that so many are so committed to making our churches good places for non-believers to attend and be attracted to.
The trouble is, some of the efforts have been counterproductive. Too often, a lack of discipline and thoughtfulness have led to ‘do-it-yourself’ services that are unthought-out, sloppy and incoherent, rather than friendly and warm.
There has been enough attempts to rewrite creeds and improve the sacraments. Trying to improve these crucial elements is a bit like me trying to improve my high-tech motor car by fiddling with the engine. Almost certainly I will be degrading its performance.
And what’s with the growing reluctance to have a clear assurance of forgiveness after a confession of sins?
No comments:
Post a Comment