I am beginning to wonder if Tim Keller’s remarkable run of influence is beginning to expire. The reason for wondering is his recent post — an excerpt from his new book, Center Church
— at the co-allies’ blog. Although Keller’s failure to be the
Presbyterian minister his credentials say he is aggravate the bejeebers
out of me, this time his call for a gospel movement seems tired,
bordering on #sotenminutesago. It used to be that a megachurch in New
York City receiving favorable press coverage in both religious and
secular publications was novel. Now it’s not. Does anyone get excited
about Willow Creek anymore? Or does Bill Hybels look in comparison to
Rob Bell the way Larry David does to Lucille Ball? At a certain point,
Keller’s cheerleading for the modern metropolis and Redeemer’s cutting
edge ministry sounds stale.
In this case, though, Keller himself sounds fatigued. The reason may
be that the only way he can conceive of transforming the city is to
concoct a set of hoops and ladders that only the Navy Seals could
negotiate. According to Keller, a gospel movement requires three
things: a contextual theological vision, church planting and church
renewal movements (that’s only one thing even though its a mouthful and a
bit redundant — you need a movement to have another movement), and
specialized ministries. Here’s where tiredness sets in, at least for
readers:
Based in the churches, yet also stimulating and
sustaining the churches, this third ring consists of a complex of
specialty ministries, institutions, networks, and relationships. There
are at least seven types of elements in this third ring.
1. A prayer movement uniting churches across traditions in visionary intercession for the city. Continue at D. G. Hart
No comments:
Post a Comment