Connecting the Dots

Retreating & Rising Emphases in the church?

 

Can you help me think through something? 

I’ve been taking notes on reading, preaching, and emails for about a year now.

I think I see some dots but I still can’t connect them all.

The dots don’t yet create a clear picture for me.  Maybe you will help me out? 

Here’s what I’ll do.  I’m just going to type up my notes from a dozen or so 3x5 cards right here into a table.

Then I’ll invite you to look it over and comment.  I’m wondering what you make of these dots?

.

 

Seems to be Retreating

 

Seems to be Rising

Your big problem is sin and the solution is confession, repentance and forgiveness of your sins.

1

Your big problem is lack of connectedness and the solution is linking with the community.

Relief from guilt.

2

Relief from loneliness.

The Roman Road & 4 Spiritual Laws

3

Personal story & narrative

Faith & hope

4

Love & joy

Cross

5

Resurrection

The forgiven life—all my sins are gone and I’m forgiven.

6

The abundant life—the life I now live is the most fulfilling.

Get saved

7

Begin a journey

Truth

8

Relationship

Winning the world

9

Serving the world

Proposition

10

Experience

Avoiding vices

11

Practicing virtues.

Gospel lighthouse.

12

Serving community

Talking

13

Listening

Preaching and teaching

14

Worship and service

Scolding the world for sin

15

Scolding church for sin

Separation from world

16

Integration into world

 

17

 

 

18

 

 

 

Are these dots even appearing or have I missed this?  If so, when you connect them what do you get?

Is this a healthy correction or a dangerous aberration? What other dots are missing?

 

So what do you think?

During the first few weeks click here to comment or read comments

 

Keith Drury   January 30, 2007

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