Check out this article at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118434936941966055.html?mod=home_we_banner_left in today's Wall Street Journal about the signs of hope for the renewal of Christianity in Europe. The major examples in this article come from Lutheran Sweden.
Is the decline of European Christianity at least partly explained in the "take it or leave it" option provided it by a state church dominated religious environment? Is the vitality of American Christianity at least partly explained by a "take it or go to some other church, or start your own church" religious environment?
What does this say about contemporary ecumenism? Should we be concerned with visible unity, or celebrate our diversity in the Kingdom of God?
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2 comments:
Great to hear of the revival in Europe and the coverage. We must never doubt that God's spirit is active whether we like it or not.
I speak in Europe often, and worship there if I am there on Sundays. Many churches have been near empty, but some have been vital. I must confess, we now go online and find a church doing Alpha programs in an area and go there. We have done Alpha at Westlake Lutheran for a number of years. My wife and I find that no matter what the denomination; congregations that do Alpha are into outreach.
We've been to Holy Trinity Brompton in London and numerous trips. They started Alpha. They have as many as 1000 attending programs at any time. They hire ministers to lead new small groups coming out of Alpha. When they reach 250 in new small groups, they send the minister and the 250 to churches who have no members to seed the gospel there.
To me, the Unity in Christ is more important than human ecumenical activities. Sometimes ecumenical causes can expand to the point that Christ is not being praised, just being used! To get everyone involved, you wouldn't know Jesus is the reason we have a relationship with God!
No state supported churches for me! No politically correct churches where we can't disagree openly for me. In men's group today, we read in Galations 2: 11-21 where Paul confronts Peter because he was "clearly wrong." If Paul can confront Peter, we certainly can worship and glorify one God while still disagreeing in love.
http://www.footprintsoffaith.org
We have been offering Alpha for many years. We are planning a major emphasis this fall as part of our plan to build on the visibility of our new worship building. It's amazing how God has used this one program, which started as a glorified new members class, to reach people in scores of countries all over the world.
What I also find hopeful is that it began in an Anglican church, and has been the means by which renewal has come in so many congregations.
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