pilgrim in process

Posted by: Len
Church: Aylmer EMMC Aylmer
Date: February 9th, 2012

Walter Unger writes at the MB Herald,

“How long does it take to “get saved” (1 Corinthians 1:18)? Many years ago at a revival meeting, I went to the altar, said a prayer, and went home rejoicing. The work is done, I thought. I’m saved.

“To top it off, my father gave me a verse from Philippians 1:6, which said I could be confident that the one who began the good work of salvation within me would carry it on to completion “until the day of Christ Jesus.”

“Great, I thought. I’m all set….”
More…

love, rightly ordered

Posted by: Len
Church: Aylmer EMMC Aylmer
Date: December 23rd, 2011

So often when thinking of discipleship I think of structures and tasks. Even reminding someone to pray and read their bible can miss the point — which is the heart. The point of discipleship is a heart in love with Jesus.

It’s been popular in recent years among groups where there is some college or seminary training to talk about “worldviews.” The point of training is a Christian worldview. And then we measure a worldview change with beliefs — so conversion becomes all about a belief system. Like bible study and prayer, even a Christian worldview can miss the point.

When Jesus talked about the heart of discipleship, he pointed to conversion — a continual turning of the whole person toward God. He talked of loving God with our whole heart, mind and strength. This interview with James Smith reminds us that God is not known if God is not loved.

love, rightly ordered

Rhythms of community life

Posted by: Len
Church: Aylmer EMMC Aylmer
Date: September 3rd, 2011

“Missional community” is a nice phrase that hides a rich description of how we are to live as believers together. This little phrase works because it also mirrors the life of God – in God’s very essence he is a loving community on a mission. As redeemed people in His image, we mirror His life together.

Neither mission nor community has priority; neither can exist without the other. Mission and community intertwine like the strands of DNA. We are a community because we share a common purpose — a mission that began when God sent Jesus. We are a mission because the reality of the Spirit in our common life generates an overflow of love.

This circle diagram is based on the Trinitarian nature of God. But you can easily substitute “local church” in the center. This rhythm of inward and outward movement is what generates life in the Body. If one of the rhythms stops, we have problems. As Jean Vanier, founder of the L’Arche communities put it, action and prayer belong together. Vanier writes, (Community and Commitment) Continue reading →