i want to cry
This is an exchange initiated by a clear-eyed brother.
We've got lots of work to do.
From: Kyle Phillips [mailto:123kylephillips@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 9:25 AM
To: 'Scott Roberts'
Subject: RE: i want to cry
Scott,
Sheesh. This latest report from the Barna folks really does provide a snapshot of the crisis in the church. Just coming from the ILI RC in Santa Clarita, the concerns posed are timely. This statement does seem to get at a central issue:
Yet, a new study from the Barna Group identifies an underlying reason why there is little progress in helping people develop spiritually: many churchgoers and clergy struggle to articulate a basic understanding of spiritual maturity. People aspire to be spiritually mature, but they do not know what it means. Pastors want to guide others on the path to spiritual wholeness, but they are often not clearly defining the goals or the outcomes of that process.
Folks (in the church!) really don't know what it means to be Christian. It is an amazing indictment that we can't articulate a shared understanding of maturity. That's why these 8 core values in ILI are so valuable. I like to talk about them as "practices" more than values. They really do capture the multi-layered dynamic that is Christian faithfulness or maturity. Our lives in the grace filled kingom of Christ really does produce a lifestyle, not just "beliefs" or "feelings" but regular behaviors that are a response to the Holy Spirit's presence in the midst of us. It really is a dynamic of fruitfulness as Christ indwells us.
When I was a youth pastor years ago my vision was "Every youth a believer, every believer a leader, and every leader a servant." The cluster of practices captured by the inter-dynamics of the 8 core values does paint a clear picture of Christian maturity. All are critical, intimacy, passion, evangelism, leadership, multiplication, stewardship, family, integriy. All are to lead and love.
Lets get after it.
Kyle
From: Scott Roberts [mailto:scott@upheaval.org]
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 2:45 PM
To: Kyle Phillips
Subject: i want to cry
I knew that I was right, but its even worse.
barna
