Change and Metanoia
The challenges faced by congregations in North America and Europe are different than those before congregations in the Southern Hemisphere and Asia. This is important to note because the changed required here looks and feelings different. These challenges in our context require a shifting in attitude and behavior which will not look like the behaviors and forms of our recent past. Make no mistake, the context around our building has already moved through major shifts in attitudes about Christians and Christianity (more negative), about acceptance of multiple beliefs and traditions (all equally valid), and value of church connection (no longer "the" place or even "a" place but "no" place they want to show up). Whether or not a congregation wants to change, the public ministry--or lack thereof-- already has changed either because of passivity to the change around them or a retrenchment to resist the change "out there."
Leaders and congregations have to look at change not just from the local view or even a systemic perspective, but also the biblical perspective on change. What is required of congregations and leaders is to embrace nothing less than a radical change of heart, mind and behavior. This is what Jesus calls every person to: metanoia...a radical change or turning of heart. We often translate this as "repentance" but this does not capture the meaning of the Greek word. This change or turning, is not dictated by the outside forces but by the power of the Spirit working in, through and with the church. Metanoia is accomplished by God's extraordinary presence and power at work in the world and us, as well as through our collaboration with what the Spirit is already doing. This turning finds expression in five ways: turning TO God; turning FROM sin; turning INTO scripture; turning WITH each other; and, turning TOWARD the world.
Keeping God and Christ at the center of how we address the challenges is the cornerstone. Without this in the center of all we do, it will not matter. Recognizing our own brokenness and disconnection from God, each other and ourselves while trusting deeply in the promise of healing and God’s saving power with us now opens us to new hope and possibilities of what possible. We cannot do this alone… we need that living, incarnate Word in the Body of believers, the scripture and our sacramental life (which is more than just Baptism and Communion) and we need to walk with each other. And it has to be toward and for the sake of the world.
As leaders and congregation live into the work of these challenges, it is us who must be changed and transformed to engage the world with the Gospel.
Old Ways, Old Adam (Eve)
I think your piece is well written and accurate, Mike. The question in my mind is how this changed heart/changed life manifests itself in changed church.
My experience in the congregation is that there is little disagreement with anything you've said. In our heads it all makes sense. I think the disconnect is in our hearts. I think in our hearts we are willing to see the church (congregation?) wither and die before we willingly step out of our comfortable bunkers.
I'll take it a step further and say that some of the large, big box churches are so successful because they are adept at using current forms of communication to spread comfortable, perceived old-time American religion of manifest destiny and America as the Zion on the Hill.
I just completed a production of the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 -- Evolution vs Fundamentalism. There was a moderated discussion following the play. Fundamentalist Christians were well represented. The conversation was little different than in 1925. The difference now (perhaps) is that groups like the Fundamentalists ( or the Liberals) are able to cocoon and no longer have to listen to anything that disagrees with their ideology. I think that's original sin -- to be so turned in on myself that nothing else can be true. And that's the antithesis of what you are calling for in your article.
And I think that will be the downfall of Christianity in our culture. I think it is also the curse of our congregations. We understand the need to turn, but we just really don't want to. It's to easy to stay turned within ourselves.
Are you willing to copy?
Michael,
I was thinking about the difference the difference between transformation and transfiguration. You say we don't need change so much as metanoia. Another example: transform- to change in form, appearance, or structure. transfigure- to change as to glorify or exalt. Given this week's text (Mark 9:2-9) it seems appropriate.
Would you be willing to copy that piece into the EWAID page? It parallels nicely with some of the conversation we had at our last synod council meeting and some of the discussion we've been having on SoulCafe.
Eric
40% Solution Comment
Eric and other 40% folks
Feel free to copy whatever is posted. The only way we are going to get the word out is to talk and share. Thanks for the conversations, my own thinking and response continues to morph.
This post has helped me to
This post has helped me to have another perspective. I am researching this topic for a paper I am writing. Your article provided me great insight of my topic.
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