Saturday, August 2, 2008

IMMIGRANT/NATIVE POLL RESULTS

Thanks for voting in the Immigrant / Native poll that was based on the blogs between July 23 and 27. The results are as follows:

I believe I am a 'native' - 54%
I believe I am an 'immigrant' - 46%

Very interesting, don't you think? Nearly half-and-half among those who chose to vote. What does that mean? Is it any wonder there is a tug-of-war, albeit a fairly civil one, in our day and age and culture - including in our church landscape?

One thing is certain - whether immigrant or native, church-as-usual is over. We can no longer stumble along and trust that SOMEHOW by the Spirit of God we will enter the Promised Land of excitement and meaning and spiritual growth.

The Bible couldn't be clearer in saying that it is GOD who provides the growth - but it is also abundantly clear that He uses PEOPLE to plant the fields, sow the seeds and water them.

One author says 'most of our churches went to sleep decades ago. Even though they appear to be awake, they're oblivious to changes that have taken place in the culture that affect the church.'

But churches are waking up - and that is very good news. The tendency, of course, is to want to return to the way things were before. If we open our eyes like Rip Van Winkle, who woke after 20 years of sleeping under a tree, then return to our village, we're faced with our own shocking reality. Nothing has remained the same. Like 'Rip,' we're tempted to throw all our energies into making time go backward; but it is impossible.

And THAT is the tension we face today - immigrant or native?

I love Henry Blackaby. I've heard him speak in person on more than one occasion and he is fascinating to listen to, as well as read. He encourages us to ask the all-important question: "Where are YOU going, God?" And then WE go wherever HE is going instead of inviting Him to go along with OUR plans. Doesn't that make so much sense?

I think so too.

And be blessed.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just ordered the book Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. It sounds good. Anything that deepens my relationship with God sounds great to me!

You know, since I am a very new Christian, one key that brought me to Christ was when I found out that He is God in human form. I used to think that Jesus was a great teacher and a great man, but it wasn't until I learned that He was God here on Earth, that I gave Him my heart completely. I think if more people knew and understood the proof of that fact, then they would give Him their hearts and believe in Him as their Savior, too. I read the book A Case For Christ by Lee Strobel, but it wasn't necessarily the book that convinced me. It was the way I felt when the Holy Spirit filled my soul. I knew it was the real thing. I AM a new creation.

Anonymous said...

Hey Kevin,

I just found out you have a blog.

I like this post. Culture vs the church. All too often the church neglects culture and then the people we long to touch disregard the church as irrelevant. Yet, there may be a point when we cross a line and jump too far into culture. It is a very tough line to balance. Personally, I feel the church (speaking in regards to the North American body of believers) has thumbed their noses at culture and locked ourselves in the four walls of our own sanctuaries. I think Blackaby has it right. We need to go where God wants us to go. This may require a major shift in our thinking. Can it be done? The Reformation proved that it can be. Maybe today God is telling us we need a major "adjustment" in our thinking?

keith

PK's BLOG said...

Can it be done? God help us if it cannot be done. It surely cannot be done without His help.

Anonymous said...

Amen brotha! AMEN!

Yes it can be done. But you are correct. It can happen ONLY if it is from God, through God, and with God! I admit that I look forward to the "adjustment". Growing pains and change are AWESOME!

btw...I just noticed you have several emerging church authors on your shelf (McLaren, Kimball, Bell, etc.) One day I would be interested to hear your thoughts on them. You can probably already tell mine. If we read their works and listen to their teachings with our own discernable intellect involved and engaged, then I feel that emerging church leaders are moving in the right direction...IMO.

keith

PK's BLOG said...

I"m not sure I can tell what your thoughts on some of the emerging church leaders are by reading your comment -- as for me, they bring a ton of clarity to a culture that seems to be drifting. They approach ministry in fresh, thought-provoking ways that sure seem to be turning over the soil of a culture's heart that is not only far from God, but has no idea who HE is in the first place.

I don't set them up as deity - I know they're fallible and not everything they say is on my page, but all in all, they have inspired me to think out of the box and challenged me to see ministry thru different eyes. That's been worth the ride.

Anonymous said...

I love the emerging church movement. A few years ago I became pretty depressed over the NA church's failure to make a life-changing difference in our culture. I felt many outside the church wanted nothing to do with the church, and many inside the church were largely content to sit inside the church and enjoy each others company. I got really, really depressed over it. What are we doing to be true followers of Christ and not just "Christians"? I like to ask the question pondering how many miracles in the Bible happened inside a synagogue? We could point to Peter and John at the Gate called Beautiful, but by and large the miracles happened out among the community. Today, our culture has greatly shifted with the tides of postmodernism, and the church has clung to her modernistic roots and stood still. We expect miracles inside the church and fail to move out of our comfortable walls to help bring love to our community. The emerging church movement sees things differently and it refreshed me.

My library is full of books by McLaren, McManus, Wright, Kimball, etc. I too, do not buy into everything they say as gospel, and in certain instances I still cling to my pentecostal upbringing. However, I have been greatly refreshed by their perspective and today I see things in a fresh light.

I am very, very impressed by your "ride"

I'll stop...cuz I could go on forever on this topic. You don't have to post all these comments. I am sure you have some new believers reading the blog and do not want to cast a negative light on the church (definitely not KFAoG!)for fear they think I am talking about KFAoG when we know I am really talking about the NA church as a whole.

Anonymous said...

Hi Keith,

I am one of the newer Christians on this site, but I personally find your comments interesting. Don't worry, I think my critical thinking skills are well enough honed. I won't take what you say as the gospel. :) If I have any bias at all, it would probably be that I tend to believe MOST of what PK says..lol. I do have my own opinion about some things, though, and I don't hesitate to say so. I think the more comments, the better...it makes it far more interesting!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous,

Your comments definitely brought a smile to my face! In reading your comments I am confident that your critical thinking skills are indeed well honed! Keep reading, keep learning, but most important of all, keep seeking our Father's will in all you do. Oh yeah...do listen to most of what PK says (ha,ha) as the love in his heart naturally forces him to speak wonderful words of love and wisdom...God inspired, of course!

I hope you do indeed keep commenting. The thoughts and words of newer followers of Christ are much needed in the body of Christ! They provide encouragement and insight that many "seasoned veterans" seem to forget with the passing of the years.

Peace...

Anonymous said...

Hi Keith and PK,

Sounds like the perfect fit! I can offer the enthusiasm and passion of a new believer and you guys can give me your wisdom that will help me to grow in my walk. And, hopefully, anyone else who feels led can chime in with fresh perspective! :)