Bishop Graham Cray Lecture
I'm encouraged with the message that Bishop Cray gave, but I wonder what it would take for the church in America to welcome his message. I remember how much criticism was made when the whole post-modern philosophy of ministry started appearing its head and now with the emerging church movement. The critique is true for even myself. Even though my heart is more attuned to what the emerging movement is about and I get super excited when listening to what Bishop Cray is sharing about what's happening in Europe, my own traditional evangelical foundation/background struggles with wondering whether we're watering down the gospel message (this was a constant debate on campus at Talbot!). It's strange. I definitely strongly agree that contextualization is vital as the gospel is about meeting people where they're at. I mean, isn't that what Paul writes about?! The most important thing is that the gospel is preached and heard no matter what. So how much are we limiting the power of the Spirit and the message of Christ because we refuse to change and meet people where they're at? I still remember the time when playing drums was considered "Satan's" music because it was associated with rock n roll. And look at us now. Why must the church continually be the slowest moving entity when it has the most important message to give?