by Jim Belcher

This book makes an important contribution to an ongoing conversation about Christianity in general and the church in particular. During the last decade as leaders have wrestled with and argued about what the church and ministry and the ‘Christian life’ should look like in the 21^st century, a group of men and women have proposed some radical changes.

Like most debates within Christianity, the battle lines were drawn and leaders on both sides began speaking and writing about their views. In fact, the amount of time, money, and internet space devoted to this discussion is remarkable. Thus, if you read contemporary Christian literature, attend Christian conferences, or read Christian blogs you are sure to have at least unknowingly encountered the discussion or learned about its major topics.

I mention the book today not as a recommendation necessarily, but more as a way to credit it for leading me to address several topics. While I don’t agree with all of Belcher’s conclusions, I appreciate his fairness in explaining what both sides believe regarding the seven primary issues at stake in the debate and his clarity in articulating his views. If the term ‘emerging church’ means anything to you, then I suggest grabbing a copy of this book for a helpful review. But if you do read it, do so carefully because his third way is not perfect.

My purpose, however, is not to draw you into the discussion. Instead, I want to challenge you to consider your beliefs regarding these seven topics because they provide a foundation for your understanding of Christianity and the Church.

So as normal, I’ll address the following in individual blog entries over several weeks seeking to answer at least the questions listed.

1. Truth - Can we know truth? And if so, how?
2. Evangelism – How can churches strike the correct balance between welcoming unbelievers into their community while fostering growth among maturing believers?
3. Gospel – What are the essential elements of the gospel?
4. Worship – How can the church lead corporate worship gatherings that honor God and minister to people in the 21^st century?
5. Preaching – Why does one guy talk for most of our worship services? Should we continue to do it this way?
6. Ecclesiology – How can the church best organize herself to obey the biblical directives and minister effectively?
7. Culture – How can the church engage culture without being over-taken by it?