How to Faithfully Engage the Dechurched Movement as a Church in Exile
Aug 22, 2023
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In this podcast, the hosts and guest discuss the idea of being a 'church in exile' and its benefits. They explore the transition from empire to exile and the importance of patience in this process. They also delve into the role of attention in a digital age and how living in a state of exile can be advantageous. Additionally, they touch on learning from others in church history, providing advice for clergy and business owners in secular workplaces, and the significance of relational wisdom in a low-trust environment. The podcast concludes with a discussion on preparing for a future of persecution and exile.
Living in exile allows Christians to exercise love and trust in relationships and engagements with a low trust society, presenting unique opportunities for ministry innovation.
Approaching challenging situations with love, humility, and dependence on God allows Christians to maintain a faithful witness in a cynical world and model Christ-like character.
Deep dives
Embracing Exile: Navigating the Shift from Power to Margins
Living in a season of exile is the new norm for God's people, as influence from the margins has historically been the mode of operation. The American church is facing the decision of regaining power or embracing exile. While some advocate for a return to a more explicitly Christian America, it is not a compelling option. The rapid changes in culture and technology make this approach outdated and unrealistic. Another perspective suggests revising core teachings of the faith to survive in the new America. However, compromising the gospel in response to cultural norms undermines the heart of Christianity. In the midst of this tension, many Christians seek a nuanced path, paying attention to their local contexts and finding ways to love their neighbors faithfully. The book of Daniel provides insights on how to navigate life in a disorienting and vulnerable context. Embracing exile allows for dependency on God, provides unique opportunities for ministry innovation, and enables Christians to exercise love and trust in relationships and engagements with a low trust society.
Deepening Faithfulness: Wisdom and Prudence in Challenging Times
In a polarized and tumultuous world, wisdom and prudence are crucial for pastors and professionals navigating complex situations. While it may be tempting to either avoid drawing any lines or to engage in confrontational approaches, there is a middle ground that demonstrates Christian virtue. For pastors, this may require standing up for core matters of faith within the church, even if unpopular. Professionals in secular work settings can strategically assert their convictions while maintaining positive relationships with employers and colleagues. It is essential to approach challenging situations with love, humility, and dependence on God, rather than seeking personal fame or being belligerent. By modeling Christ-like character, Christians can maintain a faithful witness in a cynical world.
Fruitfulness in Exile: Building Trust and Generosity
Living in exile presents Christians with an opportunity to demonstrate the true nature of the gospel through trust and generosity. As societies face relative scarcity, communities bound by love and trust become essential for meeting needs. The example of a group of friends renovating a house for a disabled individual exemplifies the potential of relationships built on love and trust. In a low trust society, where public trust is eroding, the Church's commitment to living out the gospel and loving one's neighbor stands out. Christians have the unique capacity to pay for things through trust and affection rather than coercive means. The willingness to sacrificially serve others and meet their needs demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel and creates space for gospel innovation and creativity.
Preparation for Exile: Sandpaper for Complex Situations
Preparation for the possibility of exile involves understanding the complexities of different situations and applying wisdom accordingly. Like different levels of sandpaper, Christians must discern appropriate responses depending on the context. An axillic posture requires navigating the balance between drawing lines and showing love and grace. As society becomes increasingly critical of the church's ethics, the need to embody Christ-likeness and care for the hurting and vulnerable becomes evident. Christians should leverage the opportunities exile presents, demonstrating the truth, goodness, and beauty of the gospel. By embodying love, trust, and moral conviction, Christians can thoughtfully engage with a world longing for authentic faith and ethical commitment.
In this episode of As in Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Michael Graham welcome Jake Meador to discuss the merits of having a posture of a "church in exile." They explore how this exilic posture could help us close the back door of the church and regain our prophetic voice.
Episode time stamps:
Episode and guest introduction (0:00)
Moving from empire to exile (4:37)
Centrality of patience (11:38)
Role of attention in a digital age (16:53)
Advantages of living in a state of exile (23:08)
Learning from others across broader church history (29:41)
Advice for clergy and business owners in secular workplaces (36:11)
Relational wisdom in a low-trust environment (43:31)
This episode is part of As In Heaven’s third season, devoted to The Great Dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history. To learn more about this phenomenon on which the episodes of this season are based, preorder The Great Dechurching by Michael Graham and Jim Davis.
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