I'm exploring the idea of "Authentic Christianity". By this I mean Christianity as we see it originally intended to be. Having said that...I realise that much of what we see in scripture is descriptive and not prescriptive. What does God want His church to be like? The characteristics, profile, shape, of His church?
I've addressed this several times in recent years in sermons I've preached, but I'm wanting to discover/develop a more substantial theology of Authentic Christianity.
I'm impatient of theorising and philosophising and I'm passionate to discover a practical, livable model.
This will mean examining how we do church in 2010; what we think is essential; our identifying characteristics. Then I'm interested in identifying what the scriptures have to say....bearing in mind that much that is said is descriptive rather than prescriptive of church, I'm looking for ingredients, components of AC. Christocentric. Love. Holy Spirit. Anointed. Super-natural. Diverse. Sacrificial. Giving. Going. Prayer. Servant leadership. People not building focused. Character before gifting. Gifting rather than academic qualifications. Koinonia. Miracles. Team.
What do you think?
Russ
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About Me
- Russandus
- Bromley, London, United Kingdom
- I met in a life transforming way with Jesus 40 years ago. Been preaching since I was 15, and been in "full time" ministry 32 years now. Married to gorgeous Gerrie. Father of Wesley,Carmen,Romona,Corali, and Rigby. Granddad to Tyler,Tobias,Isabella,Kiara,Reuven,Charlize, and Lee. Planting the Amazing Grace Church in Bromley, south east greater London. This is the 6th church I've served as pastor
Try Peter Rollins, The Fidelity of Betrayal. After that, lets talk!
ReplyDeleteDuncan.
The Pharisees, Scribes and Teachers of the Law, had no problem with the idea of Messiah, nor of it's fulfillment - they had a problem with the process of revelation of the "Messiah from Nazareth".
ReplyDeleteWhat's that got to do with Authentic Christianity - nothing! However...whilst we would all agree on the idea of AC, we struggle with the process; we need to open ourselves to the revelation of that same Messiah in order to find it's full meaning.
You may need to be seriously iconoclastic in finding your answers!
Russ - you're supposed to read and respond to keep the convo going!
ReplyDeleteCheck out Chris Wienand's blog through Colossians