The concept of presence taken to the extreme can conjure up ideas of deep contextualization–looking, speaking and worshiping like the culture. At best, the world it is left to inquire about the overly contextual person’s spiritual views. Lived out in moderation, presence can be described as friendship building, service and relationship evangelism.
On the other side of the continuum, the idea of proclamation can have synonyms like evangelism, sharing the Gospel and preaching. AlmostM said at the extreme, some refer to this as, “the holy man of God preaching the holy Word of God behind the holy pulpit of God.”
While both extremes present some theological/missiological problems, finding a contextually appropriate middle ground is not always easy. A place on this continuum will be selected and lived out whether one thinks through the issue or not, as an individual is aware of his/her personal inclinations while finding what communicates best to the culture.
Which is more correct for a particular context? Can both ideas coexist in a church plant? What would living and embracing the tension look like?
Plan now to participate in the April 19 webinar, “Points of Tension: A Church’s Missionary Conversation with Michael Frost.” The webinar is free, but space is limited, so sign up now here. Mark your calendar to join the discussion Frost and others will facilitate from Budapest, Hungary, about the tensions of ideas in missional dialogue, including the pull between presence versus proclamation. Also, schedule time in that week to do a virtual Jet Set with our group by participating in the ongoing conversation about what it looks like for the church “to think and act like a missionary.”
A live video stream will allow participants worldwide to engage in the conversation with this traveling mission think tank and respond in real time with feedback and input here on The Upstream Collective site, or via Twitter (#js2011), others’ blogs and Facebook.
The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (4 p.m. local).
Space is limited, so sign up now and commit to the conversation. Interactive participation in the webinar will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
I love the topic. Excited to hear Frost talk about it and other dialog. As we have been on several of these trips now over the last several years this tension always comes up. Gospel presence and Gospel proclamation. Looking forward to it.
This is an ongoing and useful conversation within the church. I am looking forward to being a part of this and hearing Frost’s input on the subject.