I was reminded of something this morning. Much of Christian thought and practice involves paradox. And it leads me to some questions that I've probably had before, but didn't spend enough time thinking about to be able to offer myself some credible answer. (I know, questions without answers is paradox too.) Nonetheless, it is still helpful to query.
How do we communicate paradox to a post-Christian world? Is there paradox in other ways of thinking beyond philosophy and theology? More importantly, does paradox exist in other ways of living? (I have some motives for such questions, but I'll hold them for now.)
I see quite a bit of "tension" in many people's lives (and in their ways of thinking) which, most of the time, is understood and explained as "conflict." And, the hope is that conflict can be resolved.
For me, paradox is attractive and helpful. It allows me to let go of some of the conflict and leave it as unresolvable. But, quite honestly, then I feel an internal struggle at other times to make sure all the pieces fit together nice and neatly.
Len Sweet's article in the latest edition of Next-Wave stirred this up in me this morning where he states, among other things, "In Christ all opposites are not so much reconciled as transcended in the Oneness of Twoness. We are born for ontological tension: in-but-not-of the world." I like what he suggests, but find it difficult to translate it into usable language for a pastor concerned with outreach. Lest, we just reach out to those for whom paradox means compromise.
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perhaps it is the paradox of "outreach" that in light of the shifting zeitgeist, the classical (read 20th century 5 star approach)view of "outreach" , in many cases, seems to estrange rather than include. I know that isn't what the "outreach program" is supposed to do, but the logic and approach was slated for a different era; a different worldview.
It is sometimes hard for churches to understand that people are being turned off by traditional outreach approaches. What's being found is that churches who seem not to FOCUS on outreach are reaching more people. An interesting paradox! People seem tired and untrusting of mailers, banners, signs, door-knocking, all those things designed to get your name out there and bring people to you!
What many people respond to is authenticity in a church's ministry. In my research, I've seen that the churches who are flourishing are putting their outreach efforts all in their missional budget. The church that is SEEN DOING in the community is the church that is doing outreach. However, it seems that churches who do things in the community (like giving away free water with the church's name on it) SOLELY to get their name out and bring people in, find both the outreach and the mission ineffective (since the 2 programs are now bound into one "event".)
No, those that are untrusting (which are many) can sniff that scam out quickly, and it sometimes discredits the church attempting these "events" as being ONLY self-serving. While not a fair conclusion to draw, drawn it is! But those churches who have a presence: working, helping, bettering, loving within their community, seemingly has no need for outreach, for people already know who they are. For the agenda has changed from bringing in people, to taking love out (of the church walls). People are compelled by this authentic expression from a church. It may not always bring in 20 new people, and 5 salvations a month...but it does make that church a living/active part of the community, and the community becomes (in a bigger way than any enrollment list will ever show) a part of that church!
IDK if this is what you are talking about, but this is the "paradoxes" of outreach that I've experienced and have been studying. In PoMo land, there is no room for the old understanding of "outreach"... a new understanding is that the line between "outreach" (means reaching out to others to better their lives) and "missions" (reaching out to others to better their lives)becomes very blurred....indistinguishable even!
I'm not sure there is language to help others transition to a better understanding...But that's the brilliant paradox of it all...where words fail, action will have to speak, and in turn, be heard.
I'm thinking about you and know you are in my prayers. Lunch when???? we said we'd get up this month! let me know bro.
peace and love
j
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