Lost In Translation

This is a world of constant change. Our society is advancing in technology, science and communication faster than ever before. The response to these changes have been varied and continue to be. Some find it too hard to keep up so they stop trying. Others May not like it but have come to the realization that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Others have never known a world without such things and cannot wait until the newest thing comes along.

The church as a whole has not been a big fan of change. Martin Luther was not the most popular guy around the Vatican, John Wesley preached int he fields because there was no parish in England that would have him anymore, and the list can go on. The church as a whole has a history of resisting change. Even now when there is debate about worship styles or even when to worship, or even further, how we worship the primary objections I believe are not about style or even appropriateness, but because they are different.

That is where we need translators for this new paradigm that is taking hold. I believe God is doing a new thing and the church would do well to listen. Even in our attempts to be hip and with it and reach out to young people, the established church (and I include myself in that category) still is trying to adapt and tweak the former dominant paradigm and make the details fit. What was it the president said about putting lipstick on a pig?

For the sake of building Gods kingdom we would do well to listen to the change in the paradigm itself, and allow God to work within those new systems of building relationships so that the church might flourish in a new generation. What that means is new churches will not look like anything we have ever seen before. Or will they?

Methodism itself was founded on small groups meeting in homes or establishments for relationships study and accountability. Pastors trained class leaders for this type of community organizing that held everyone in prayer and offered support for their journey of faith. The early Christians met in house churches. Where have we lost that today. The new paradigm is in some sense a recovery of the old. The difference is instead of having pamphlets, booklets, tracts, to guide us during the week and going to Sunday worship, we have Twitter, Podcast's, email and Facebook, and perhaps Wednesday night worship (if you can make it, otherwise they will just download it and watch later).

We can still have and should have, what are considered traditional styles of worship, but we must also not try to force others into that paradigm lest we loose them all together. Will we continue to be lost in this translation, or will we learn a new language and translate the timeless message of Christ to a new generation?