Our ambidextrous calling

Anyone who is serious about doing ministry, not just theorizing about it, must be willing to live with the tension of what Bruce and Marshall Shelley call “our ambidextrous calling.” On the one hand we are obligated to remain faithful to the unchanging Word of God. On the other hand we must minister in an ever-changing world. Sadly, many Christians unwilling to live with this tension retreat to one of two extremes.

Some churches, fearing worldly infection, retreat into isolation from today’s culture. While most do not retreat as far back as the Amish have, many churches seem to think that the 1950s was the golden age, and they are determined to preserve that era in their church. What I admire about the Amish is at least they are honest about it. They freely admit that they have chosen to preserve the lifestyle of the 1800s. In contrast, churches that try to perpetuate the culture of the 1950s usually deny their intent or they try to prove with proof-texts that they are doing it the way it was done in New Testament times.

Asking for commitment doesn’t turn people off; it is the way many churches ask for it.

Then there are those who, fearing irrelevance, foolishly imitate the latest fad and fashion. In their attempt to relate to today’s culture they compromise the message and lose all sense of being set apart. Too often, these churches offer a message that emphasizes the benefits of the Gospel while ignoring the responsibility and cost of following Christ.

Jesus never lowered his standards, but he always started where people were.

Is there a way to minister in our culture without compromising our convictions? I believe there is and I will discuss this more fully in chapter 12. The solution is to follow Christ’s example of ministering to people. Jesus never lowered his standards, but he always started where people were. He was contemporary without compromising the truth.

Warren, Rick (2004). The Purpose Driven- Church: Growth Without Compormising Your Message and Mission (Kindle Locations 674-690). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.