Always Reforming

This past Thursday I was traveling north on Highway 75 near the tennis courts when the overhead warning lights began to flash. As I was stopped to allow a young boy to cross the road on his bike in the midst of the freezing rain and sleet, two thoughts came to mind; the first was a childhood memory of when my parents would make me ride my bike all the way across town in freezing rain and sleet to go to school. No, it wasn’t three miles uphill, but the distance was far enough for me to experience extreme suffering from the ride.

The second thought that came to mind was the days of when the crossing guards stood out there in the frigid weather elements in order to help the kids cross the highway. I thought about all the days poor Kevin the Pizza Man stood out there when all the state would’ve had to do was put up the warning lights.

I also remembered thinking about what a bad idea it was to replace the crossing guards with those warning lights. I was certain some little child would eventually get hit by some motorist who wasn’t paying attention. However, so far the warning lights have been a good reformation in how the kids are able to cross the highway.

Speaking of reformation, this coming Saturday, October 31, marks the anniversary of the Protestant Reformation that was initiated by Martin Luther back in 1517. Luther had major concerns about some of the leadership practices and abuses that were hindering the fruitfulness of God’s Church. The common folk were being deceived as to how a person attained salvation. The spiritual abuse taking place was that the people were forced to pay money to the church government in order to have their sins forgiven or to have their loved ones set free from purgatory.

As Luther reflected on those who were governing the Church, and the way they were conducting their lives, he realized it was time for reform. As Luther interpreted Scripture, it was clear to him that the current practices of the Church of that day were far from the intended purpose of the Church that Jesus died for. The truth of the Bible had become twisted and distorted and rather than becoming life changing and freeing, following Jesus had been reduced to religious bureaucracy. What a sad testimony about the Bride of Christ.

So what do you think? Would you say 500 years later that the Church in America is any healthier or fruitful? Maybe we aren’t charging people to have their sins forgiven, but does our current method of discipleship really equip people to experience the abundant life within the kingdom of God?

Our staff and Churches Learning Change Team have been discussing a need for reformation in our mental model of discipleship. Over time the pseudo gospel that is being presented is that if you’ve been baptized or if you just believe in Jesus, you’ve punched your ticket into heaven. And that when many people place their trust in Jesus, they have little interest in becoming a disciple that obeys everything Jesus taught.

Could it be that another reformation must take place in order to help people become more passionate about proclaiming and demonstrating the message of the kingdom of God?

When you think about discipleship as Jesus modeled, what forms of reformation are needed? More authentic community? An increase in radical obedience among Christ’s followers? Greater use of spiritual disciplines to strengthen our relationship with God and our witness to the world?

Most often reformations begin in the midst of desperation—in the midst of recognizing there may be a more effective way. May it be said of you and me that we would continually be open to reforming according to the Word of God! Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2).

Reformed and always reforming,

Mike Altena

 

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