Reformation 2013

Yesterday was Reformation Day.  While the rest of the world celebrated Halloween, I reflected on the legacy of Martin Luther and his impact on both the church and my personal faith.  I have always thought of reform as an ongoing process.   Reforming the 16th Century church was an overwhelming challenge.  Over centuries the church had become stagnant and lost focus.    It took ninety-five thesis for Luther to identify the issues that he wished to debate.  Today I would like to offer five issues that I would like to see addressed as we strive to reform today's church and to more effectively minister to a contemporary culture.

Loving people where they are at, and not where we want them to be.  Jesus loved people where they were, and tried to lovingly move them to where He wanted them to be.  Take Nicodemus for example.  In John 3 Jesus accepts Nicodemus for who he is, a Pharisee.  He gently directs the conversation to the point where Nicodemus begins to consider Jesus' perspective.  In the end Nicodemus becomes an advocate for Jesus (John 7:50-52) and a follower (John 19:39).  We can never make a difference in the lives of others if we don't have a relationship with them.  Consider how different things would have turned out if Jesus said, "You are a Pharisee and I don't want to talk to someone like you."

Questions are OK: The church has gained a reputation as not being a place where you can ask questions concerning moral or ethical issues.  Teens and young adult especially avoid asking question within a Christian setting, because they don't want to be labeled.  We need to have a format where the issues of the day can be discussed.  While we need to teach our children and youth God's plan and His desires for his people, we must also equip them to defend those beliefs.  That happens through discussion.

Recognizing that Faith is Personal: The relationship that an individual has with God is very personal.  The important thing is that such a relationship exists.  We cannot expect every person to share the same traditions and practices that we do.  The only imperative is that an individual recognizes Jesus Christ as their Savior and the only way to salvation. 

Substance is more important than style: Twenty-five years ago David Luecke wrote the book Evangelical Style and Lutheran Substance.  It was the first time I was challenged to think outside of my Lutheran context.  I have come to realize it is theology that makes me a Lutheran Christian.  The style of worship and the context might change but the basic truth that Jesus Christ died for my sins remains the same.  I am still renewed daily by the waters of Baptism and through His body and blood. 

Less generational ministry: As one who spent his career working with teens and young adults, this is a tough one to swallow.  I have come to realize that compartmentalizing people into age appropriate ministry might not be the most effective way to nurture faith.  We need to find a way to merge older adults into youth ministry.  We need to be nurturing and supporting families, equipping parents to do what God intended them to do, teach their children the faith.  Cross-generational ministry is the future of the church.

I continue to pray for the daily renewal of our church.  I have no reason not to be optimistic.  God is good.