NextGenKent

Paul Hiebert wrote, "Conversion to Christ must encompass all three levels: behavior, beliefs, and the worldview that underlies these. Christians should live differently because they are Christians." With so many in our nation today stating they are Christians, or they believe in God or the Bible but when pressed on the matter, they don't really know or understand what it is they profess. Hiebert challenges this position of people and thinking they are converted when it is very likely that they are not. He continues to expand these three lines of thought: "However, if their behavior is based primarily on traditional rather than Christian beliefs, it becomes pagan ritual. Conversion must involve a transformation of beliefs, but if it is a change only of beliefs and not of behavior, it is false faith (James 2). Conversion may include a change in beliefs and behavior, but if the worldview is not transformed, in the long run the gospel is subverted and the result i...

A fter studying the dropout problem for the past three years (up to 70% of post-high school graduates defect from church/the faith), I decided to put into positive words what the local church should be about in its focus and ministries. These ten points are not exhaustive but are counter-cultural (sometimes even to the local church). I find them very challenging myself and hope and pray that I might give what it takes to accomplish these things--and see my Savior smile. I hope you agree. 1. Stop concerning yourself with looking religious and become totally committed to Jesus Christ in your lifestyle—this means: a. Developing habits of spiritual disciplines that authentically deepen your love for Jesus Christ; b. Learning the language of faith and speaking it with a group of faith-growing believers. c. seeking biblical transformation that connects you with God, through Jesus by the Spirit; c. Being totally converted in heart, mind, body and soul; d. Doing what it takes to desi...

            Not long ago I could tell something was out of sync with my son. He is thirteen now and I believe is coming to the rude awareness that his innocent elementary days are behind him. He is observing his friends who said they were Christians make hurtful choices that show they are not at least acting that way and he is trying to walk through the confusion that brings. That is a tough place. But something God is showing me is that this really is normal. So normal I need to anticipate that this occurrence would and will happen. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the entire school system disappoints us let alone our friendships in that system. There will always be the feeling for the children brought up since child birth in a Christ honoring home to sense that something is a little off in school. And that can be a major awakening, and one parents need to be prepared for.             The sch...

The converted lifestyle can be understood by looking back through the Gospels and reading what the authors had in mind as they wrote.  This takes a more intuitive (meditative?) approach in synthesizing from the author’s words what is to be understood. Matthew's recording of Jesus’ message of “repent” and “follow me” was all a part of his mission to “the people dwelling in darkness…and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death” (4:16-17).  The “great light” that has “dawned” on them would shine on the “narrow gate” and “the way [that] is hard that leads to life” (7:13-14). The people’s repentance was from some very specific things—the easy yet destructive  way  that many were traveling on. Being born a Jew, being Moses’ people or being Abraham’s people was not going to be good enough for entrance.  Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven”...

A Reaction Tim Challies,  The Next Story:  Life and Faith After the Digital Explosion,  2011. How has the “As Seen on TV” production infiltrated our society and our churches? “A solution to what was not really a problem." We have some problems that many church-assisting companies seem to sincerely help with: discipleship training, evangelism strategies, youth and children’s ministries, etc. and offer products that are meant to assist with the overall effectiveness of those ministries. But are we creating a solution to what really isn’t a problem? What if these are merely distracting us from what is REALLY important, a focus that if was met would provide its own solution? What if we focused on loving God and repenting of sin—what it takes to move us towards God and away from our idols? Would discipleship take care of itself? Would evangelism take care of itself? Would fellowship take care of itself? Would ministry take care of itself? Would keying up our l...

A Reaction to John Drane's,  The McDonaldization of the Church:  Consumer Culture and the Church’s Future . 2001 (215 pages).                 “If our faith was to make a difference to our nation…we could not continue to do the same things as our forebears had done before us” so we need to “find new ways of being church”—the church needs to “reinvent itself'. “the spread of Western influence during the last five hundred years or so has had a profound impact on the way today’s world has developed”. The sociological “bending” culture has is something that hadn’t clicked for me like it had before. In other words, culture has a developmental impact on people—it trains people to be the way they are.                 So what are we to make of this developmental influence culture has on the people who are coming into the church? Is the church infected by it? I...

Reaction to Eugene Peterson's   A Long Obedience in the Same Direction:  Discipleship in an Instant Society , 2000 (216 pages). I have heard of the Song of Ascents and I have read these Psalms prior but never with the insights Peterson had given. Peterson painted such a great picture of how these Psalms were used I wondered how I could have missed this before! As Hebrew pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem three times a year they would sing these fifteen psalms on their journey—a daily devotional in preparation for worship. With this in mind, Peterson gives poignant insights that make God’s Word in these songs stick to your conscience. The Psalms are convicting yet healing, rousing yet focusing, and giving depth yet breadth. One insight I gained was more of a confirmation and encouragement. I was challenged to read the Bible through in a year and that was two years ago. I had wondered why I couldn’t keep up with it and Peterson gave me an insight into this. When I read...