Mistakes I've Made

Here is the latest Slant33 post featuring Eric Iverson, Lilly Lewin and yours truly.  The question "How have some of the mistakes you have made helped you grow as a leader?"

Comments

[Aaron]

Mike, thanks for sharing. At this point in my journey, I feel I am exactly where you were. I want people to like me and I truly HATE conflict. I rarely face difficult situations head on and deal with the problems. I am also at a place in my young life/ministry where I have thousands of questions and I'm not sure where I "stand" on many things: evangelism, philosophy of ministry, among other things. I have a question a little off the subject-kind of. The postmodern culture is quite young and the church is right in the midst of it as we seek to be the people of God. Many questions and concerns are being asked and talked about. Do you see any similarities or relation between a young pastor or person in general like myself and like you were, who is afraid to "take a stand" or lead in difficult situations and want people to like him/her WITH the postmodern church who, in trying to engage culture and want people to like her, does the same thing. I guess what I'm asking is, "Do you think the postmodern church is immature in her early stages?" If this is the case, is it possible to look down the road and learn from our mistakes now rather than in 50, 100, or 200 years? I guess I'm just thinking out loud at this point. I know there are resources out there that speak about the Ancient-Future faith, but what are your thoughts. As a leader in the church and youth ministry as it shifts from modernity to postmodernity, have you had any conversations about any mistakes or short-comings that are happening? Thanks again for sharing.

[Mike King]

Hey Aaron,

Certainly there are weaknesses and problems, not only with a church trying to deal with the cultural realities of postmodernity but with all churches everywhere and in every time and context. The church is imperfect because it is filled with imperfect and broken people on the path of redemption and restoration. Specifically, I think that some early adapters to cultural contextualization can overreact but is this mistake or immaturity more problematic than a late adapter to cultural contextualization of the Gospel witness and life? For example, I think there are some in the church who believe and declare that they are faithful to God and the Bible and refuse to compromise truth as it relates to changes happening all around them, even willing to demonize and break fellowship with those who profess "Jesus Christ is Lord." However, some of these "mature" and "non-compromising" Christians and church leaders are actually defending cultural tool kits that may have more to do with socio-economic or political philosophies than Scripture or Theology. One of the biggest mistakes I made as a young Christian leader was to assume that the positions I took on the Bible were always right. Yes, there are several things that I would be willing to die for (Apostles Creed) but most things I hold very lightly. I don't know if this helps, it is just how my response to your questions unfolded.

Peace,

Mike

[David Hanson]

Mike,

Great thoughts! Where are the lines drawn in both today's "postmodern" (if anyone really knows what that means) culture and the modern culture between standing for truth and being open to learning and expanding knowledge? Some think that postmodernism is an "All-Play" type mentality, but it may just be a re-contextualization of truth in world uncomfortable with rigid dogma. Any thoughts? What should we hold as those things we would be willing to die for?

Blessings,

David Hanson

[Mike King]

Hey David,

I think the phrase "where are the lines drawn" is problematic. Fences speak of exclusion and it is crazy the issues that Christians divide over. Postmodernity is not the invention of "progressive Christians" who are sliding down a slippery slope to relativism. Postmodernity represents an epistemology that is embraced by many, especially those living in prosperous western cultures. Those who are bearing witness to the Gospel must share Good News that is actually good news to everyone, even those who have bought into the good and bad of postmodern thought. This is why I believe it is very important to reserve our dogmatism for the most essential issues - that's why I cited the tenets found in the Apostles' Creed.

I think we should be honest about what we would really die for.

Peace,

Mike