On June 1st I introduced a Rule of Life to our memberhip at NLF at our annual meeting. It was the culmination of over four years of pondering, struggle, and prayer about how to best lead in such a way that Christ be formed in our people. Click on the icon “rule of life” at the NLF website (www.newlifefellowship.org) and listen to my 18 minute introduction to the Rule as well as the Rule itself (it has 16 points). You can download a brief commentary on it as well. I distributed also a laminated card with the Rule and invited our church to begin piloting it this year. I am not sure all that God intends with it, and how this will all work out as a large missional church in NYC committed to evangelism. I just am sure that we are to move in this direction as a local church. It is intentional, focused, clear and a strong call to flee Western, consumer-focused (What can Jesus do for me?) Christianity. Throughout history monastic movements were often a response to compromise and lukewarmness in the church, a laxness that always has begun with the leadership. It seems to me that much of the emergent movement, along with some of the newer monastic communities that are springing up, is a struggle/cry for something authentic, biblical, experiential. A few appear to have a weak ecclesiology and weak biblical foundations, but nonetheless, the movement of the Holy Spirit appears strongly evident in many. The real issue for me, at least, is being a local church that draws on some of the great riches of the monastic tradition (e.g. Rule of Life, rhythms, silence, community) One very great strength of a strong contemplative emphasis is a movement away from an primarily intellectual faith to an experience of our theology. We want to live the Nicene Creed, not just recite it. Do I really believe in the sovereignty of God if I am anxious all the time? If I believe the gospel, then how come so many of us live in guilt, shame and self-hate? Difficult questions! Listen to my introduction to the NLF membership if you get a chance. Read thru the commentary on our Rule. We are going forward –by God’s grace. I will be interested in your thoughts!!!! Let me know. �
11
Jun
