2. Post-Modern, Post-Christian Culture How may we respond?

3. First, a word from our Lord… John 4:35 (The Message) “As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? “Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These…fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!”

4. May the Spirit open our eyes to see… Jesus: – Who he is – What he now is doing in our world Our world, increasingly: – post-modern – post-Christian (post-Christendom)

5. What is Post-Modernism?

6. Pre-modernity Modernity Post-modernity God is king, revelation is queen Science is king, reason is queen Experience is king, plurality is queen Truth is absolute and knowable Truth is absolute and can be proven Truth is subjective and personal God is God I am accountable God is subject to human reason God cannot be limited to one “narrative” Reality is determined by God Reality is determined by human proof Reality is determined by me Two thousand years of Christian experience: Journeying with Jesus in our world, from… TO

7. Post-Modernism: our response Post-moderns value relationships – Provide safe, authentic, relational communities They view faith as a journey of exploration (vs. a confession of propositional truths) – Facilitate an encounter with Christ, not mere information – Use a narrative approach to preaching/teaching They encounter faith through experience. The question is not “Is it true?” but “Does it work?” – Emphasize visual arts (experiential) – Emphasize service to others (incarnational)

8. What is Post-Christendom? It’s life after….

9. Post-Christendom: Our response “Christendom” is a particular (and dying) Christian culture. “Christianity” is God’s people on mission with Jesus in the world as it is. – Be: embrace Jesus’ openness to cultural diversity – Go : show that Jesus transcends boundaries—be missional (join Jesus in the Father’s mission) – Adapt : go where Jesus is going—minister cross- culturally (“speak” Jesus in the native “language”) – Focus : emphasize Jesus’ divinity and representative humanity (his continuing incarnation) – join Jesus in his incarnational ministry of making disciples

10. Making disciples with Jesus in… All generations Many cultures (modern & post-modern Christendom & post-Christendom) New places In short, let’s become….