Responses to “My students
plan to change your church”
Seems to be that numbers 1 and 5 go hand-in-hand.
There is never greater spiritual depth without a greater knowledge and
understanding of the text. I think I'd change the improving their
"theology" to knowing what their Bible really says. Knowing the text
and knowing theology are two very different things for most people. If I were
picking, I'd take knowing the text over knowing the theology. I belive that knowing theology is what has caused the
"loss of unity" through the years between denominations and within
the holiness ranks.
Number 4 scares me! Greater acceptance and tolerance.
Get rid of the saved/lost mentality and select the us/them,
whew! Less divide between religious and secular.
If you have perfect love, none of numbers 1-6 really ever seem to be a problem.
At least that is what I've experienced/seen from the ones who really know God
deeply.
I find it truly interesting that the lack of power or the move of God was a
deficiency! Jesus said once He departed, his disciples would do exploits.
If I were doing an analysis of the churches and christian colleges, I would identify the following as
the greatest deficiency: loss of purpose! It appears that we have taught
ourselves and our children not to expect anything of God!
And, one last thought, did you notice that everything noted was "of the
flesh"?
I must say I am disappointed they are not more
radical,
I find it interesting (though not surprising)
that "change worship style" has such a little showing. I think it is
interesting because many folks might expect it to score high. Goes to show that worship styles and worship wars have slipped off
the radar of the current generation of ministerial students. My
question: will they get sucked into them when they "get out"???
Sounds good to me. I envision
the next version of the wesleyan
church being deeping in it's thought and practive and more concerned about the poor and needy. I
think the whole tolerance and acceptance thing is probably not a shift towards
winking at sin but being willing to eat with sinners.