What if... [a random thought]

Something said in a recent conversation about Church social engagement and social work got me thinking. I couldn't help but think the person had a 'means to an end' philosophy when it came to mission.

What if the social work that church has been engaged in hasn't pointed to the kingdom? What does it say about the Christians that have facilitated that 'Heresy of Mission'? What if social transformation hasn't pointed to the community of justice, freedom, love, grace that Jesus represents because Christians have used it as a means of disguising the 'hook', leaving the message and ministry of Jesus as nothing more than a wriggling worm?

It reminded me to beware 'wriggling worm mission!!'

Comments

Anonymous said…
Greatly enjoy your blog. Admire and respect you for working in the Poplar area of London.Your father- was he is the Peacemaker session? God bless you.
8:25 PM
Gordon said…
My father was indeed in the Peacemaker session - do you know him?
4:44 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A bit of sally bashing....

Came across a good bit of Sally bashing over at salvationsoldiers I have to say we try and make sure that everything we raise goes into projects that build local community in Poplar but hopefully if you read this blog you get that sense anyway.
Read more

'Never waste a good crisis' ~ Winston Churchill

'Never waste a good crisis' ~ Winston Churchill I heard this Churchillian quote this morning while enjoying my traditional 'whatever the weather' porridge. A quick google turned up these interesting words written by Andrew Low for the commercial world. "In challenging times one must question the accepted reality because things are going wrong, rapid answers are needed and the solution may well be found outside the usual compass. In the world of business we are often guilty of not challenging the norm; we are instead satisfied with following procedure and tradition. It takes insight and not a little courage to question your leaders as to why are things done the way that they are? However, in times of crisis there seems to be more latitude to do so – management in fact is actively seeking input it seems. Leading companies nowadays recognise this and cultivate a more open, questioning climate within the office at all times because a degree of co...
Read more

Types of Christian Spirituality...

Image
It is easy to think and to limit ourselves to a single approach to Christian spirituality. A 'if it works for me it should work for you approach' tends to narrow our appreciation of other ways which actually impoverishes our experience of spirituality. Urban T. Holmes has developed a means of exploring spirituality and helps develop an appreciation through discovering links between spirituality, temperament and predisposition. The diagram illustrates his ideas together with potential inherent dangers. The vertical continuum speaks and helps us understand our relational orientation to God. This ranges from engaging with God through understanding and theological process to a more emotive response. Horizontally speaks of a persons preferred means of pursuing the spiritual life. Kataphtic speaks of affirmation and the need of something tangible in an individuals spirituality- this may take the form of worship, art, even imagination with the use of metaphors, symbols and images play...
Read more