Being a part of a denominational church has its challenges.\u00a0\u00a0 There are structures that have existed for a hundred years.\u00a0 There are political positions and there are power players.\u00a0\u00a0 There are traditions that are amazing and there are traditions that are very out of touch and out of date.\u00a0 \u00a0There are names that have become very dated, Sunday School, Sunday School Superintendent, The Sunday School Secretary, that is just a short list of names. \u00a0The Communion Table, the little plastic church that sets on top of it, to take your offering for your birthday or your anniversary. \u00a0The altars that are where people come to pray, before service or after service when there is an altar call given.\u00a0\u00a0 Altar call is a time when people are challenged to make decisions during the persuasive end of the service.\u00a0 If you are going to move forward in your relationship with God it would be the place that you would tarry and hold on time the Holy Spirit encounters your life.\u00a0\u00a0 All of this started with a group of people who were hungry to follow God and wanted to do it in an organized manner.\u00a0 Sometimes these traditions have become stronger than scripture and more divisive than the Red Sea!<\/p>\n
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The other side of the denominational journey is \u201clike faith\u201d across the states and even around the world.\u00a0\u00a0 I was privileged to eat with the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God of Ireland and his assistant this past week. (They have changed their name to Christian Churches Ireland because no one in Ireland is in an assembly, ever) As we were eating a meal (another denominational tradition\u2026.one that I like), we are connected by a faith that is the same.\u00a0 We believe in the same purpose and the same Jesus.\u00a0 Our relationship is instantly rekindled even though there has been time in between our last meal and meeting.\u00a0\u00a0 Our love for the lost and discovering a new way to reach people is always part of the conversation and rejoicing in the victories and hurting in the losses.<\/p>\n
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So, when I was reading in Martyn Percy\u2019s very culturally aware book about the denominational churches and their ability to grow, I was very intrigued.\u00a0 I agree with his implicit theology and how it shapes every part of faith but I was incredibly encouraged as I read his very simple but very pointed strategy for even denominational churches to change and grow.<\/p>\n
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I will simply highlight what I thought was very insightful thoughts for churches within a denominational structure.<\/p>\n
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These four very straight forward and pointed points give a road map for taking what is considered sacred or traditional and turning it toward the positive instead of the negative.\u00a0 What has been the foundation in the past can continue to be the fuel to ignite a new fire into the future.\u00a0 The exploration of the depths of the past to find a reason for the future is so brilliant.<\/p>\n
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Martyn really has made me think differently about things that I have experienced in being involved with the church over the past half century.\u00a0\u00a0 He simple put up some really clear signs to point out what has happened to the church.\u00a0 His insight into the international church was really refreshing and the conclusions drawn has great insight.<\/p>\n
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I know as I have explored discipleship there are always individuals who bring thoughts to the surface that help to transform and transition into the next generation.\u00a0 I am very thankful that my path has crossed with this brilliant mind to help me think differently into the future of my own ministry.\u00a0 This was a great book.<\/p>\n
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