commitmentless or faithless Christianity?

[nodak]

I get those articles Christianity Today e mails out. Got one this week about someone who, best I remember, has gone from Vineyard Fellowship to an Anglican group.

I scanned the article quickly, so I may have misunderstood, but it sounded like he was basically saying that pomo's are willing to practice religion without committing to faith or changed lives, so he wants to offer them the chance to come, pray, go through the rituals, and then later on when they are comfortable discuss faith.

Instead of come to faith and then become part of the church, a plan for them to become part of the church in hopes they come to faith.

Are we really that shallow or willing to do anything for numbers?

 

[Darron Steele]

I get those articles Christianity Today e mails out. Got one this week about someone who, best I remember, has gone from Vineyard Fellowship to an Anglican group.

I scanned the article quickly, so I may have misunderstood, but it sounded like he was basically saying that pomo's are willing to practice religion without committing to faith or changed lives, so he wants to offer them the chance to come, pray, go through the rituals, and then later on when they are comfortable discuss faith.

Instead of come to faith and then become part of the church, a plan for them to become part of the church in hopes they come to faith.

Are we really that shallow or willing to do anything for numbers?

Gosh, that is not good if you read it right.

Basically, `church membership' for unbelievers would give unbelievers an opportunity to have as much voice as Christians when it comes to the affairs of a congregation. That is a dangerous thing.

Second, this is the Lord's church. If they have admittedly not met the criteria for Him to admit them into His church -- namely, faith on Him -- we are not in a position to admit them into a congregation thereof.

It is also not safe to let unbelievers think that they are on the same standing as Christians. Why would they ask about faith on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior if the church treats them as Christians? To many of them, it would never occur to them. Many of them will go along thinking that everything is just fine as they remain uncommitted to Jesus Christ.

If you read this right, this person is very misguided -- or wants to give unbelievers greater opportunity to influence the church. I hope you just read it wrong.

 

[Alive in Christ]

"Got one this week about someone who, best I remember, has gone from Vineyard Fellowship to an Anglican group."

Wow. Talk about going from the very good to the not so good.

Whew. Thats a doggone sad situation.

 

[Alive in Christ]

"basically saying that pomo's are willing to practice religion without committing to faith or changed lives,"

Just curious. Whats a "pomo"?

 

[nodak]

Postmoderns. In the article postmoderns were described as no longer believing absolutes exist.

 

[Alive in Christ]

Nodak,

Thanks! :thumbs:

 

[Johnv]

There's not enough info in the OP for an accurate examination. Both Vineyard and Anglican churches require a formal membership and commtiment.

 

[nodak]

Not Anglican, but Anglican Evangelical. But I agree not enough info in the tidbit I read. Anyone get the actual magazine have more info for us?

 

[Johnv]

I get CT deliverd, and will have to look for what your'e referring to.

Something doesn't sound right. The Evangelical Anglican Church In America (EACA) has membership requirmenents like any other mainline church. So does Vineyard.

Regarding the "pomo" comment, that could mean anything, due to the fact that the word "postmodern" isn't well-defined. Again, not enough info in the OP.