The Changing Church
The members of my adult Sunday School class always ask interesting questions that stretch me beyond my comfortable "churchy" knowledge—you have to love that! You wouldn't guess they are so interested in theology by looking at them.
As humble working class Argentines, ages 50 and up, most have used their hands to make a living in the suburb of Moreno, on the western outskirts of Buenos Aires. I became their Sunday School teacher a year ago for lack of another candidate. Since then, we have explored the plagues in Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, Christian churches vs. cults, Christ's kingdom, baptism, and the Holy Spirit.
Each of my short lesson plans usually gets drawn out several weeks, due to the incredible discussions that arise as we delve deeply into Bible truths until their interest is satisfied.
Questions, comments, and occasional outbursts of song force me to come to class prepared, and have touched me more than I expected a year ago.
So on a recent Sunday, when a question came up about the Church becoming modern and contextualized, I pricked up my ears and listened.
It was one of those simple yet historically loaded questions. Before asking it, Jorge, a self-employed carpenter, specifically highlighted our Saturday evening youth service where around 120 young people worshiped through drama, strobe lights, rock worship music, and choreography.
Let me explain that this particular Church of the Nazarene was founded in 1925, making it the sixth Nazarene church planted in Argentina. The long list of respected pastors hangs on a plaque on the wall, reminding young and old of our holiness heritage. Needless to say, I highly doubt this church had seen the likes of that youth service.
As he passed me the "mate" cup (typical Argentine tea that is passed around), Jorge respectfully asked, "If the Church is constantly changing its ways of presenting the gospel, does that mean that God is constantly adapting to us and accepting things in the Church that He didn't accept before?"
I told you they asked good questions.
A wonderful and exciting discussion sprang up, but without delving into all the details, I will share the conclusions.
1. Basically, we all believe that the mission and purpose of the Church on earth is to be salt, to present the message of salvation. We also agreed that this message demands real, daily transformation of each Christian under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, or else our message will be void of power. In other words: the Church is called to be a constant and holy testimony of the gospel in the world. God's demand for holiness applies to the 14-year-old who does choreography just as much as it does to the one standing behind the pulpit.
2. We agreed that throughout time and history, the way we present the gospel has changed. As Nazarenes, we used to avoid the movies. Then, we began evangelizing the world through a movie: the JESUS film. Today, we emphasize many different forms of mass media to reach a lost world. Ironic? No, poetic. It actually makes me kind of proud to be a Nazarene.
3. We decided that Church is called to change. Why? Because it is the only way to not change our purpose. Our purpose forces us to change our methods. Once we get seduced into loving our methods more than our message, we have then truly changed the Church. Our mission is testimony. Once we emphasize worship styles over testimony, delivery over content, and form over truth, God hates the change. In Isaiah 1 (actually throughout the Bible) God admits to abhorring religious feasts, celebrations, new moon parties, and offerings, and sacrifices. Why? Because His people had forgotten that the heart of God revolves around real transformation, specifically justice, mercy, and love.
4. Many cultural aspects may be present in the changes the Church goes through. None of those, however, can involve the acceptance of sin. Styles, music, ways, and clothing may change. Service days and times, evangelism efforts, and tools we use may vary from culture to culture. We may even have to adapt our system and programs at some point. But sin is not part of this barter. We cannot honestly expect a sinful world to listen to our message if it rings hollow. Not only does sin make the gospel ring hollow, but it also desecrates the purity and power to make the world a better place.
Our local church finds itself asking the right questions about the Church's role in the world. Will we mark this generation for Christ? Is the Church willing to risk structure to present salvation to "unreached people groups?" By unreached, I am referring to the thousands of desperate and seeking young people in Moreno, Buenos Aires.
In the end, our class agreed that the Church changes in order to stay the same, the same in its mission and purpose, the same in its hope of real change for the human condition. If we are not reaching our world, we are not the Church. I did not say this. My Sunday School class did. I believe God agrees.
Nazarenes in Argentina ask the right questions about the Church's role in the world.
Robin Brunson Radi serves with her husband, Carlos, as global missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene in Argentina.
Holiness Today, July/August 2011
Please note: This article was originally published in 2011. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.
