The Quest for Holiness of Heart and Life

In several weeks our house church will celebrate its second anniversary. It has been an interesting journey for me personally. My wife and I come from a denominational background that is quite different from the rest of the members. We gather in our common faith in Jesus Christ. Our experience of The Church, however, has been different and in our initial phase of development as a house church those varied experiences were topics of discussion and curiosity. Before long, however, "where we came from" became less and less important as "who we are" and who we want to become as disciples of Jesus rose to the fore. This has brought into focus for me something that I have long felt, namely that it may well be that "corporate Christianity" has run its course and has become more of an obstacle to real individual and world transformation than a help. I come from the perspective of graduating from two seminaries and many years in pastoral ministry. My view is from both the "inside" of the church and the "outside" of the church. From this vantage point this is what I see: The corporate church has become a self-serving entity whose primary function is self-preservation rather than aiding in salvation. Its vast resources, more often than not, are devoted to "keeping the wheels spinning". The church is becoming less relevant in people's lives. Not because they lack faith; not because the don't feel the need to gather with other people of faith; and not because they don't want to share their joy of the Lord with others. It is because the corporate church makes it increasingly difficult to do so. Too many self-important clergy have confused the call to serve with a call to BE served. The corporate church is fast becoming an exclusive club that most people don't want to join. Intra-congregational and inter-denominational disputes are painful, hurtful, and run counter to the message of the Gospel. Ultimately such disputes destroy the credibility of the church to speak for justice and transformation - both individually and socially. The "times they are a changin'". People of faith need to band together and and recapture the spirit of the New Testament. In the words of the late Martin Luther King, Jr., "Now is the time".

It has been awhile since my last post because I have been awaiting responses to my last post requesting feedback from those who have been involved in the Pentecostal or Charismatic movements. Regretably I have received none! I find it hard to believe that no one who has been Baptized in the Spirit reads this blog. I know that the issue of the role of the Holy Spirit is a hot button one in the Small Church movement. I continue to invite feedback...this is an issue that I care deeply about and want to learn more. You can respond here or email me directly at: goldengopher72@gmail.com. Thanks and I wait to hear from you.

I hope those of you who regularly visit this site have enjoyed and been enriched by reading the Ten Transformations.

This month marks the 40th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. It began with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on a group of students at Duquesne University in Pittsburg in February 1967. From there it spread to Notre Dame and other colleges throughout the country. Eventually the renewal spread to other denominations, especially influencing the Lutheran and Episcopal churches. Pentecostal and Charismatic movements have been an interest of mine ever since I first heard of the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles in 1906. Although I have attended charismatic prayer meetings, I have never been a member of the movement myself. I would be very interested in hearing from those who have been involved in the renewal who would be willing to share their experiences. I invite anyone who would like to respond.

Welcome to the tenth and last of the Ten Transformation. This transformation characterizes how one who practices the Ten Transformations lives their life in service to others.

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