The Church in the World by Joe
My good friend Joe Thorn and I have continued our discussion on the recent post dealing with churches in the clubs. He has also posted more thoughts in an article called “The Church in the World.” I encourage you to check it out. If you don’t read Joe’s blog or know him, take the time to read through some of his stuff, especially his recent work on the quiet time.
Here’s how Joe concludes:
So in the end how do we remain in the world while not being of it? The only answer I can come up with is three-fold. We have to believe the Scripture is enough to govern us in being the church while not expecting it to lay out all the details for translating what it prescribes to our community. We must also believe that the people God sends us to must be identified with and served with the Gospel. But my greatest hope is that the Father will answer the prayer of my Savior who prayed,
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
John 17:15-19
Read the whole thing. I plan on posting some more thoughts on this soon, as I think this is an important discussion we need to be having.
