Friday, August 15, 2014

What's Next for Christians?

The title of Newsweek's April 13, 2009 cover story by Jon Meacham says it all: "The End of Christian America."  Jon Meacham, the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer made it clear that he was not saying the Christian God is dead, rather, that Christians are exerting less force in America than ever before. "While we remain a nation decisively shaped by religious faith," writes Meacham, "our politics and our culture are, in the main, less influenced by movement and argument of an explicitly Christian character than they were five years ago."  Even if we only partially agree with Meacham's observation, two questions must bubble up in the minds of Christians today:
  1. What does the Christian mission look like in 21st century America?
  2. How does the Gospel go forward in a pluralistic, postmodern, post-Christian society?  
In his book The Next Christians, Gabe Lyons promotes "restoration thinking."  "Restorers seek to mend earth's brokenness.  [The healing process] begins now as we partner with God. Throwing seeds of restoration, they believe others will see Christ through us and the Christian faith will reap a much larger harvest" (47). The Next Christians, the Restorers, engage rather than condemn, offer grace rather than judgment, chose courage over comfort, and honor faithfulness over reputation.

Are you intrigued yet?  Here are two links with more information regarding the book The Next Christians.
Are interested in being one of these "next" Christians? Are you interested in changing the negative perception of Christianity by living a life that is faithful to the Gospel, yet credible and coherent to your friends and neighbors? Or perhaps you disagree with all these ideas but still wonder what it means for you to be a Christian in the 21st century? If any of the above is true, then join a small group! 
  • Sign up online  www.fumcb.org or fill out a form available at FUMC and The Open Door.
  • A limited number of small group discussion books, The Next Christians, are available in the Church Office (during the week) and in the Atrium at FUMC (on Sunday mornings).
  • Small Groups begin the week of August 24th. 
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Stacee at sgehring@fumcb.org or 332.6396.  

Peace and Love!

Rev. Stacee  aka Reverend Awesome

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