Jesse A. Schroeder

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Not sure when or where I first saw this list, but I found it underneath a stack of junk on my dresser today and took a second look at it. I think it's a really good list that points out many of the theoretical, broader shifts taking place within the Church, or rather the relationship between the Church and Western culture at large.

Seven significant ecclesiological shifts from Christendom to post-Christendom:

From the centre to margins: in Christendom the Christian story and the churches were central, but in post-Christendom these are marginal.

From majority to minority: in Christendom Christians comprised the (often overwhelming) majority, but in post-Christendom we are a minority.

From settlers to sojourners: in Christendom Christians felt at home in a culture shaped by their story, but in post-Christendom we are aliens, exiles and pilgrims in a culture where we no longer feel at home.

From privilege to plurality: in Christendom Christians enjoyed many privileges, but in post-Christendom we are one community among many in a plural society.

From control to witness: in Christendom churches could exert control over society, but in post-Christendom we exercise influence only through witnessing to our story and its implications.

From maintenance to mission: in Christendom the emphasis was on maintaining a supposedly Christian status quo, but in post-Christendom it is on mission within a contested environment.

From institution to movement: in Christendom churches operated mainly in institutional mode, but in post-Christendom we must become again a Christian movement.

As I read this list, I wonder what changes need to happen within the Church, in terms of activities, presentation style, and what we actually "do" day-to-day, week-to-week. IMO, one of the biggest shifts needs to move away from preaching the gospel to presenting the gospel. That verbage probably isn't the best, but what I'm thinking about is when pastors spend a lot of the sermon time telling the congregants what they need to "do" differently, or how they are wrong and what should be different.

Perhaps a change in approach could be toward a presentation of information, of truth that is profound and compelling, and then allowing the individuals to understand, interpret and apply for their unique situation. Too many sermons are irrelevant within the first few minutes because of the topic, and within the sermon I suspect that many congregant ignore the preaching because of an innate resistance to being told what to do. Even if the speaker gives compelling arguments and reasons from Scripture, there has to be something that touches deeper, on a more profound level.

This is where multi-sensory and participatory worship could play a role. Presenting the gospel in alternative formats that communicate its radical nature, and then allowing each individual to respond as they saw fit. Would this mirror the prevalent social networking/interaction that so many people find attractive?

What other changes within the church activities need to happen? Or will naturally happen because of these larger ecclesiological shifts?