Walter Brueggemann writes the following: "The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us."
Although many youth ministries and ministers claim to do such a thing, it has been my observation that this is not very common. Even in my own ministry, I find it a rare moment that many of our programs, strategies, and structures actually fulfill such a prophetic role.
Are we supporting the culture of self-fulfillment and success? Or are we seeking to challenge it with an alternative way of being?
Hey Justin, an extremely time and an urgent post that needs to be heard by the church. Paul exhorts the church in Corinth ( 1 Corinthians 14:1 ), let love be your highest goal, but also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives, especially the gift of prophecy...
ReplyDeleteAnd lets be honest, right now we the church in most cases are supporting a culture of self-fulfillment and success.Unless we can live the alternative way of being 24/7 times 365, instead of for a couple of hours on a Sunday...the world will not see the Kingdom displayed on earth, and will see no alternative to the earthly empires of man.
We need leaders who are will to stand in the midst of communities and speak a language not their own...but that of God himself...we need the return of the prophet.
Great question, Justin. We must seek to be an alternative society. However, when you look at many churches around the world and around the community, they are clearly NOT alternative societies. Actually, so many churches look like so many typical rock concerts, self-help seminars, and child-care facilities that its hard to tell the difference.
ReplyDeleteThis is where I begin to appreciate seeing ministries that are truly different. Truly alternative. A pleace where the people who come and say, "Wow. Now here is a place that is different than anything else I can experience. These are people who know and live something different than me."
That is the type of society I see the church becoming or rather, should be become.