A Vision for a Better World Pt. 2
Plan BE
"...he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:9-11 NIV
Jesus of Nazareth, perhaps the most polarizing figure ever to cross the horizon of the globe, had just been taken to heaven, marking the close of his earthly ministry and the start of the church. In this month's writing, I will attempt to broach the question of what the church is and what role (if any) it plays in transforming the world.
Before we can define it, let's clarify what it is not. It is not a building or a two-hour event that takes place inside it—at least not biblically speaking.
So then, what is it?
A translation of the Greek word ekklesia, defined as "an assembly" or "called out ones," the (universal) church consists of everyone, everywhere, who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as a result of having received salvation through faith in him.
Put another way, the church, often misunderstood as a physical structure, is, in fact, a collective of people. Hence, why it is frequently referred to by its code name, 'body of Christ.' So, when you hear the word church, think of a life-giving body, not a lifeless building.
In 2012, I was introduced to a concept that revolutionized my view of the church and its role in the world.
Enter the missional church.
The missional church refers to a vision of the church as a community that sees itself as an extension of God's mission. The triune God sends it to continue the work of Jesus Christ in proclaiming the Kingdom of God, serving others, and bearing witness to the transformation it brings.
The concept of the missional church takes the church from being a destination spot for the world to being a delivery system to the world.
But how? Simple. By following Jesus.
It's no secret that I am among the many people who have found Jesus of Nazareth to be the way. One writer said, "Of the myriad of options, he's the one I choose to follow. I'm going to end up following someone, so I choose to follow Jesus." If you don't agree, I want you to know that I respect your beliefs even if I don't agree with them because, in my estimation, when measured against every other human being who has ever crossed the globe, he (to quote the song “What a Beautiful Name”) has no rivals or equals. He is the way.
Did you know that before being called Christians, those in the first century were called Followers of the Way? I've always been fascinated by that. They never viewed Jesus' teachings as the foundations of a new religion but rather as a new way of life, and the best way to institute a new way of life isn't to legislate it but to live it.
Be the change.
The first-century church took this to heart. Known for its community, generosity, and love, the Way spread like wildfire. As a result, they would come to be known as Christians, originally a term of mockery meaning "the party of Jesus." The term would eventually become a badge of honor for those in the first century. It was the ultimate compliment paid to them by the culture.
Unfortunately, throughout the journey to modernity, the relationship between the church and the culture has become strained, to put it mildly and hostile, to put it honestly.
That's a problem.
Let's examine it through the lens of my five-article thesis: If we are going to change the world, we must change the people in it. So then, how can the church be the epicenter for change with a hostile relationship with the culture that needs change the most? It can't. However, I want to propose a solution—a bridging the gap of sorts. If we are going to change the world, we must change the people in it, and before we can change the people in it, we must know the people in it.
Let me frame it missionally. Before the church can effectively serve as an agent of change, it must engage in cultural exegesis. I'll spend the rest of my time explaining what it means and arguing its necessity.
Cultural exegesis critically analyzes and interprets a culture's beliefs, values, and practices to understand its underlying narratives and dynamics. It involves observing expressions such as language, art, media, rituals, and social norms and then discerning how these elements influence and shape individuals and communities.
Let me offer something more practical.
Suppose you go to the doctor. They ask you no questions and offer you medicine. Would you take it? Of course not. You know nothing is more dangerous than being given a prescription before you've been properly examined and diagnosed. Imagine the consequences of being prescribed something you're allergic to because the doctor never bothered to ask about your medical history.
The church does this too often, attempting to offer prescriptions without a diagnosis.
By engaging in cultural exegesis, the church can better serve and interact with the culture by aligning its actions and messaging with the cultural realities of the people it aims to reach. When the church actively participates in the diagnostic process, it fosters a deeper, more genuine relationship between the church and the culture, paving the way for transformation.
Jesus of Nazareth models this for us in his missional strategy, which Eugene Peterson masterfully captures in his paraphrase of John 1:14 MSG. "The word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood."
He came from heaven to earth to engage in cultural exegesis.
So, what can we, as his modern-day followers, do to embody this transformative vision? The real transformation begins with taking personal responsibility to live out Jesus' teachings and engage the culture. Put another way, to change the world, we must change the people in it, and the best people to change people are changed people.
That's it.
The first-century church thrived in a hostile culture, more hostile than the one we face today. Not because they were more advanced but because they were more committed to the call to being the church. The secret sauce is no secret at all. To transform the world, the church must return to its original plan.
Plan BE.
This is so good. We appreciate your world contributions.