As mentioned previously, I just obtained a copy of Frank Viola’s new book, Reimagning Church. It is the sequel to Pagan Christianity, in which Viola strips away nearly everything we think of as “church.” The book leaves you thinking, “Well, if none of these trappings are necessary for church, what exactly is necessary?” Though I have some preliminary answers of my own, I look forward to reading Viola’s new book to see what he says.
Anyway, after flipping through the book the day it came in the mail, my eyes landed on a section on pg. 27 called “I Have a Dream” (adapted from the speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). Here is what he says:
I have a dream that one day the church of Jesus Christ will rise up to her God-given calling and begin to live out the true meaning of her identity–which is, the very heartthrob of God Almighty–the fiancee of the King of all Kings.
I have a dream that Jesus Christ will one day be Head of His Church again. Not in pious rhetoric, but in reality.
I have a dream that groups of Christians everywhere will begin to flesh out the New Testament reality that the church is a living organism and not an institutional organization.
I have a dream that the clergy/laity divide will someday be an antique of church history, and the Lord Jesus Himself will replace the moss-laden system of human hierarchy that has usurped His authority among His people.
I have a dream that multitudes of God’s people will no longer tolerate those man-made systems that have put them in religious bondage and under a pile of guilt, duty, condemnation, making them slaves to authoritarian systems and leaders.
I have a dream that the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ will be the focus, the mainstay, and the pursuit of every Christian and every church. And that God’s dear people will no longer be obsessed with spiritual and religious things to the point of division. But that that that their obsession and pursuit would be a person–the Lord Jesus Christ.
I have a dream that countless church will be transformed from high-powered business organizations into spiritual families–authentic Christ-centered communities–where the members know one another intimately, love one another unconditionally, bleed for one another deeply, and rejoice with one another unfailingly.
I have a dream today…
What do you think?
(By the way, I am going to be hearing Frank Viola speak at the House 2 House National Conference here in Dallas, TX on August 29-31. If you are in the area, you should try to come.)
Interesting. So Jesus is not currently the Head of His Church? 🙂
Missy,
Ha ha.
I think what Viola is saying is that many churches seem to put their pastor up as the head, or the denomination, or the doctrinal statement, or a particular system of theology, or the Bible. They all pay “lip service” to Jesus being the Head, but Viola thinks they are not allowing Jesus to be the true Head of the Church.
I wonder how Violoa distinguishes between churches that are really submitting to the Headship of Christ and those that are not? Hopefully, he explains some of this in his book.
I know J. Just playing with words. Seriously though, man will one day cease to put anything before Christ, but until then it only happens BECAUSE He allows it. I don’t think He likes it, but He allows it. It’s been happening since Adam.
Maybe I’m too laid back to get all worked up about the the way church gets it wrong. I guess I just think that He’s got it in His hands and I’m along for the ride. Don’t get me wrong, I am responsible to love – but I think this revolutionary stuff you’re reading and getting excited about – well, yes, it will change the world and the kingdom – but not in the way you might think.
My Dad told me a story of working double shifts loading trucks when I was a baby. Now Dad was only in his twenties, but he had been working hard jobs for many years. A newhire that had come in as a management trainee had to work 3 months on the loading doc for the experience. The young man was frustrated by the labor and knew there was a better way to do the job. He came up with some great ideas, but every day Dad would have three trucks loaded before the young man finished his first.
I’m a big fan of walking to the nearest church to you, dead or alive – and loving them until there’s more life there than when you arrived and staying there until circumstances physically move you out of that neighborhood. “God chooses the time and place” and all that. If you can’t love your brothers and sisters in all their errors and sin – how can you attempt to love the lost? What amazes me is how many different congregations a 20 to 30-something-year-old has moved to in his/her lifetime because the church isn’t “getting it right.”
I’m not a theology buff – but a history buff, I am. This “revolutionary” re-vamp of church happens with every generation – and to a larger degree about every 30-40 years. I tend to think of it as another bump on the washboard as Jesus washes the garment (church) clean. A part with a stain gets a little more scrubbing – but it’s still part of the garment. Amen!
Hey Jeremy!
Just happened across your blog from Friend of Missional. Really good stuff. Viola’s ministry contacted me several days ago and offered to send me a free copy of the book if I would read and review it on my blog, http://www.wesojourn.org. I read and greatly enjoyed Pagan Christianity, but left the final page feeling a bit lost and disoriented. I’m a church planter who walked away from vocational ministry in 2005 because many of the same things Viola addressed in his book.
After being a Christian for so long and a pastor, it’s hard to know where to go after taking the “red pill” of Pagan Christianity. I’m anticipating that Reimagining Church will lift us out of the rabbit hole and give some direction.
bill
Bill,
Good to “meet” you. It is truly amazing how similar our paths are! Maybe we can meet sometime soon. I will check out your blog.
I am looking forward to reading Viola’s new book as well.
Keep in touch!
Just found your blog, while doing a google search for the book. Gonna add ya to my blogroll. God bless and hope you can stop over too and see what God has been up to in my life. I am wanting to read this book too. I have fought hard and long on this topic in my heart. I guess time will tell.