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STETZER: “Theologically Preoccupied” vs. “Evangelistically Fixated”
Orginally published on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 7:00 AM
by Todd Rhoades
Ed Stetzer has posted a great article on the state of Christian blogging. Ed writes: Blogs seem to magnify an existing problem in the body of Christ: We don't do a very good job listening to and learning from one another.
It seems large numbers of the Theologically Preoccupied scowl across the pages of their study Bibles at the Evangelistically Fixated and accuse them of being culturally adrift--in some cases rightfully so. Many of the Evangelistically Fixated chuckle when they see books on evangelism written by many of the Theologically Preoccupied who sometimes consider the smallness of their churches a sign of their faithfulness...
Ed continues: Let me propose a different way: Learn from one another and take the best from one another’s approaches. Theologically deep believers with a passion for those far from Christ--I want both.
The first chapter of Acts closes with the disciples sequestered for days praying and waiting. Jesus kept talking about the Holy Spirit coming next. They weren’t sure what that meant exactly, but there was no mistaking the power when He arrived. The rest of the book is replete with rock-solid, wrath-propitiating, substitutionary-atoning, life-giving, grace-filled, Kingdom-centered, culturally relevant, Gospel preaching. You read it from Peter, John, Philip, Stephen and Paul. They began with a deep, fundamental teaching of the Gospel and went out from there in love for people, preaching and serving in the name of Jesus Christ.
I don’t see enough of this type of balance across Evangelicalism. As I move in and out of groups across the spectrum, I see a growing polarization between those who embrace and teach doctrinal orthodoxy and those who are aggressively reaching a lost world.
We desperately need each other and we need to strike the biblical balance of doctrinal soundness with missional engagement and creative action.
You can read the whole post here...
What do you think?
Todd
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I'm a chronic workaholic, love to connect leaders with other leaders, and would consider myself somewhat of a 'maven'. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you'll like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step.
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Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 8:33 AM
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Posted by Peter Hamm
Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 9:06 AM
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Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 9:44 AM
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Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 9:48 AM
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Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 10:02 AM
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Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11:14 AM
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Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 3:19 PM
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Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 4:23 PM
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Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 8:57 PM
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Saturday, August 30, 2008 at 12:00 AM
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Tuesday, September 02, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Post Your Comments:I like what he says. That is, I hope what MMI is doing and is about. I think there are some threads and some people that run contrary to this here.
We need each other, but I wonder if I have as much need for people who don’t have any clue that they need me…
The whole web/blogging world is weird. It lets people say with anonymity, (even when a name is present a relationship is often not) almost anything they want. It allows people to use wording and phrases they would never use in a relationship. In other words it affords people who opportunity to care about a subject but not a person.
It allows us to mis-judge each other, I know I have done that before. It does require the kind of listening Stetzer suggests.
Peter the reality is you don’t need me to be successful at what you do, nor do I need you to be successful at what I do. We connect because we listen, can agree and disagree with respect and the possibility that there is more to learn and know. We connect because we are both hungry for maximum impact in the kingdom. We connect because we value dialog. We connect because we do not expect the other to conform to each others thinking.
I have never met you, but if you were ever in Cali or me in your neck of the woods, I would hope at the minimum a cup of joe would be in order.
There are those who post whose desire it is to grow and advance the kingdom. There are those who post whose desire it is to protect the kingdom. Blogging conflict happens when these two camps do not listen or value each others role.
Leonard,
It’s what I like to call “fake community”. I have REAL community with the people I see and touch, not with those who are only a name and words on a screen somewhere.
BUT…
If I am in the area, coffee’s on me!
I hear you peter, but since my wife works at Starbucks she can hook us up.
I blog for a few key reasons.
#1 It connects me to a world bigger than simply reading a book or article can.
#2 It helps me work out thoughts and ideas in a real world that does not need me to be something.
#3 It connects me to a larger community of people who are in many places doing spectacular things.
#4 It helps me with communication…
#5 it is fun…
#6 I like to share ideas…
#7 I believe I have made a difference in some peoples life through my words, and that is my calling.
Ed’s growing on me. Don’t tell him I said that though… lol
I’m gonna have to disagree with you Peter about “fake community"… Well, at least to some degree. I know I can disagree with you and would still be welcome where you are and vis versa.
Leonard: Family is family as far as I’m concerned - no matter where they are located. There are times when I hear the words certain family members have said in my head as well as heart… and it impacts what I do and say.... how I breathe in and out. God through them....
May we be guilty today… this moment of noticing God… and others… and being a vessel for Him to use however He sees fit.
I agree with what was said in the original post. Some are so dogmatic that one little step outside of the ‘boundaries’ will get you sent straight to hell, while others are so busy chasing cultural relevance in order to reach out, that it appears they forget about the absolute sovereignty and holiness of God, and the blessings that come from a life lived in obedience to His commands. And that there really is a hell.
There is definitely a need for balance between the two camps which will require open hearts and ears to hear the necessary elements from both.
Isn’t this in essence being a teachable person? something I consider an essential for any leader.
When we forsake learning and have all the answers we become arrogant and dogmatic and judgement for others usually follows, no matter what camp we are in.
As to internet community being true community, I can say I actually have made friends via discussion board..., one for ministry wives has seriously had an impact on my life and I’ve actually met some of these women and planned ministry projects with them.
I’m with Camie on this, that community is community (family), of course at different levels, but I know that I have learned from some of you and it’s why I come back.
The ones who come to spout off about their pet issues, I just ignore for the most part. And I suspect in real life they are the same, especially at church business meetings
Hey Len ... can I get in on some of that Starbucks? lol
I’ve been reading some comments lately about people not using their real names etc. So why not ask everyone to give their real names, addresses, #’s, websites of churches, etc.? I have all my info listed.
While I find blogging fun at times I must admit to not being impressed with the average comment or outlook. Maybe it’s just me but I expect more from those who are joining in the fray.
As for this article ... praise God that our particular church is theologically strong and has developed a true hunger for God to change them as well as to reach others with the gospel! What God has done here is a pure miracle, plain and simple, and I believe to the bottom of my heart that He stands ready to do the same for every church who invites Him to change hearts.
What will be the result of our little experiment? Who knows? Only God. But I do know that 90-100 people have been saved in 2 years, an equal amount of believers (actually more) have had their lives changed by God and their growing to be more like His Son, so no matter what our resolution is here God’s work has moved forward!
Maybe Todd will allow me to share the story that I began sharing one and half years ago?
God’s peace to everyone!
Jan,
Appreciate your input on this! And no, not just because you agreed with me. lol Glad to hear you’ve had those opportunities! You are one I’ve learned from for sure. So, thank you.
Phil,
Great to hear the testimony about what God is doing there… Seems like yesterday in some ways… And still praying..
I’m so thrilled to say that our current church here in Texas is on the major upswing!Tipped back over 1,000 this past Sunday for just a so-called regular Sunday. We’re seeing people come to know Christ, being baptized, and lives truly being transformed and tranforming… And while we’re not sure how much longer we’re staying here… we’re being given the opportunities to do some things we haven’t done here before.
Look for my next article in September’s edition of Serve e’zine. I’ve started writing for Steve Sjogren’s online magazine due in part thanks to Todd and MMI. Proof positive you never know who is reading what we write here unless of course they coming knocking on your email door like Steve did mine. Words cannot express my gratitude for that connection alone.
Okay… I’m rambling.. It’s been an off the hook day.
Looking forward to hearing more about how God is moving there as He is definitely moving here and elsewhere! The harvest is ripe.... may we walk in it and serve Him like never before....
Speaking of Ed… he posted this today on twitter and facebook:
“My dad, Ed Stetzer, just learned that his kidney cancer has returned (already one was removed, now it is on the 2nd). Please pray for him.”
Please pray for Ed’s dad and his family.
Thanks!
It’s hard to address this without sounding like I’m whining. Sometimes I feel like I’m caught between an army of theological axe-grinders and a another set of heaven’s hipsters. If I’m not goose-stepping for God (really for “our” corner of God’s truth exclusively handed to us), or quoting the buzzword brigade, I feel terribly lost and irrelevant. (DISCLAIMER: Present company excluded).
Oh well. Guess I whined anyway.
I think Ed makes a great point. I would just suggest that there’s a world of other kinds of Christ-centered bloggers out there who never use “Rick,” “Craig,” “Perry,” “ESV,” “Piper,” “Driscoll,” “Mohler,” or “MacArthur” in their posts.
I enjoy learning and gleaning from others in the online world. It’s access and the ability to kind of “share all things in common”. I agree with Ed a lot here. Instead of dying on the hills of our own take on things, we should take inspiration from the best practices of others and allow them to compliment and supplement what God has called us to do in our local fellowships. Just my two cents.
As to the “fake” vs. “real” world, I would say that I enjoy being connected with other folks, like here at MMI and on Twitter and it gives another connecting point with other leaders that I might not get to have coffee with.
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