Jim Pace

Some good thoughts on joining a church during your college years…

August 28, 2012 | 2 Comments

The Gospel Coalition and I have a complicated relationship.  There are things about them that I respect and appreciate, and things that I wish they would do differently.  I have no doubt that many in the Gospel Coalition would say the same about me.  Also, the Gospel Coalition is just that, a coalition.  A group of pastors, theologians and writers that are attempting to communicate a certain perspective about God, faith and our world.  So there is a range of thought that needs to be implicitly understood.

What I appreciate is their commitment to teaching the scriptures and training people in them.  This is a scripture focused coalition.  That is a very good thing.  I also appreciate their commitment to explaining the truth about what the death and resurrection of Jesus meant when it happened, and what it means for us today.  I mean, Jesus is at the center of God the Father and God the Spirit’s plan for our world. That focus is a good thing.  Had that not occurred, there would be no hope for us.

So, while I might follow those same scriptures out and draw different conclusions in some instances than they would; and might articulate some of my views differently than they would, I appreciate their presence at the table.  If you are interested in more specifics about where I would differ, just ask…

And I love this posting.  It is simple, straightforward, and needed.  Often it is easier to condemn the whole church thing than to see the beauty that is mixed up in the mess.  Certainly our highly cynical culture can lean that way.  I am encouraged by the bible’s honest account of the mess that the early church was as well!  God in his sovereignty has chosen to allow us freedom to sort out many pieces of of how the Spirit interacts with different cultures over time.  Sometimes we take more freedom than we are granted and other times we hold on to a way of doing life with God that is just that… a way. It makes me appreciate Mark Galli’s book about the church even more.  He titled it This Beautiful Mess.  How true, no?

Many thanks to Jon Nielson for reminding us of the beauty!

Categories: Church, General, life, Sticky Issues