FYI, for the many of you who never even look at The CHURCH ADVOCATE, you should know that there is a "meet the new guy" interview of Lance Finley in the new issue, which is to be continued.
It's pretty good stuff. I recommend it to you all. Busy day here. If God is willing, I will have comments later.
Just a few quick comments about the things Lance says:
ReplyDelete1. Though he is much more politically correct about it in the CGGC culture, he expresses many of the same criticisms of the CGGC and contemporary American Christianity that I offer here regularly.
2. He seems to have a view of what righteousness is and what faithfulness to the Lord is that is remarkably similar to what I have expressed on this blog.
3. Very much unlike Ed, he describes a focus on Kingdom building as opposed to church growth.
I have more to observations but need to work this through before I record it.
I encourage you all to read the interview and think through the vision that Lance is announcing.
One more comment:
ReplyDeleteLike some in the position before him, Lance's focus seems to be pragmatic, that is, he seems to care about what is working and what is not.
My focus here is on what is and is not obedient to biblical truth. Understand that I am not suggesting that Lance doesn't care about truth. Many in the CGGC find assertions that this or that way of doing is rooted in truth to be divisive and even destructive. Lance's pragmatism may simply be rooted in the understanding that to claim an understanding of truth would offend many high up on the CGGC mountain. Remember, though, that in our movement days, Winebrenner and his brothers and sisters were obsessed with obedience to truth.
Two words have come to my mind about Lance as I have read and reread what he says in the article:
ReplyDeleteFirst, realistic.
For Lance, troubles face us. Our current ways have failed. They will not meet the demands of the future. In fact, they are inadequate for this moment.
Second, revolutionary.
As gently as Lance says what he says, he trashes old and current CGGC values and goals. Note his comments on how unimportant growing worship attendance is. Now think back to 35,000 BY 2000 and its generation's conviction that the core act of discipleship is to get people into church to worship. Lance's vision is radical by CGGC standards. No doubt about it.
Good for you, Lance. Your radical vision rooted in reality is refreshing.
I picked up a copy of the Church Advocate at our regional conference Saturday (at your suggestion). It WAS a good interview with Lance. It sounds very hopeful and refreshing... but. Maybe I'm just too skeptical. We will see. Thanks for pointing it out.
ReplyDeleteFrom my experience, Dan, the Shepherd Mafia doesn't take kindly to suggestions that it has failed, is failing and needs to change and adopt ways even in the slightest way at odds with its most deeply embedded instincts.
DeleteIf Lance actually attempts to serve the Lord in empowering the changes he describes this may become David vs. Goliath in the 21st century CGGC style. As far as I know, David has only won that one time.