De-constructing and Re-constructing the Institutional Church
Toward a Theology of Spirit-Sensitive Change
In: Journal of Pentecostal TheologyFaced with declining memberships and demands for relevance, many leaders have focused on the inertia of the institutional forms, features, and processes of the Church. While such foci are justified, much of the zeal that animates change reflects an inadequate grasp of the Church’s institutional character. Building on nuances of this character, a set of concepts, contours, and caveats are offered to inform a theology of change for the Church, one that is sensitive to the Spirit. Pentecostal theology provides a compelling context for this endeavor. It is argued that this theology must be sensitive to the authoritative role of Spirit-Word, the de- and re-constructive work of the Spirit, and the dynamics of social context.
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Hugh Heclo, On Thinking Institutionally (Herndon: Paradigm Publishers, 2008).
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3
Neil Cole, Organic Leadership (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2009); Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004); Reggie McNeil, The Present Future (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003); Erwin McManus, An Unstoppable Force (Loveland: Group Publishing, 2001).
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6
John Christopher Thomas, ‘“Where the Spirit Leads”: The Development of Pentecostal Hermeneutics’, Journal of Beliefs and Values 30.3 (2009), pp. 289–302.
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See Anthony Giddens, The Constitution of Society (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1984); Richard Scott, Institutions and Organizations (Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 3rd edn, 2008); and Richard Scott, Organizations (Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 5th edn, 2002).
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9
Michael Polanyi, Personal Knowledge (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1958); Philip Selznick, Leadership in Administration (Berkeley: University of California, 1957).
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12
Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann, The Social Construction of Reality (New York: Anchor Books, 1966).
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13
Lewis Parks and Bruce Birch, Ducking Spears, Dancing Madly (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2004).
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15
Karl Barth, Dogmatics in Outline (trans. G. T. Thomson; New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1959); Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989); Millard Erickson, Christian Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2nd edn, 1998).
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16
N.T. Wright, The Challenge of Jesus (Downers Grove: IVP, 2011); Jurgen Moltmann, The Church in the Power of the Spirit (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993).
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17
G.L. Jones, ‘Why Institutions Matter’, Duke Divinity School: Faith and Leadership, Durham: Duke Divinity School (March 2, 2009). http://www.faithandleadership.com/content/why-institutions-matter; J. Byassee, ‘God Save Us Through Your Institutions’, Duke Divinity School: Faith and Leadership. Durham: Duke Divinity School (May 12, 2009). http://www.faithandleadership.com/content/god-save-us-through-your-institutions; 2009; Heclo, Thinking Institutionally.
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21
Jacob Neusner, Judaism in the Beginning of Christianity (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1984); E.P. Saunders, Jesus and Judaism (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985); N.T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God, Volume 1 (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992).
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25
Andy Couch, Culture Making (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008); Walter Brueggemann, The Word Militant (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007); Darrell Guder (ed.), Missional Church (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1998); McNeal, Present Future.
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26
Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson, Comeback Churches (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2007); McNeal, Practicing Greatness; McNeal, The Present Future; McLaren, Generous Orthodoxy.
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36
J.C. Wilhoit, Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008); Willard, The Divine Conspiracy; Heclo, Thinking Institutionally; Selznick, Leadership.
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40
Jim Collins, How The Mighty Fall (New York: HarperCollins, 2009); Gordon McDonald, ‘How A Mighty Church Falls: What It Takes To Prevent Congregational Decline’, Leadership Journal 30.4 (November 29, 2009), pp. 4–10.
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54
Eugene Peterson, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005); R.D. Moore, ‘Deuteronomy and the Fire of God: A Critical Charismatic Interpretation’, Journal of Pentecostal Theology 7(1995), pp. 11–33; Patrick Miller, Deuteronomy (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1990).
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De-constructing and Re-constructing the Institutional Church
Toward a Theology of Spirit-Sensitive Change
In: Journal of Pentecostal TheologyFaced with declining memberships and demands for relevance, many leaders have focused on the inertia of the institutional forms, features, and processes of the Church. While such foci are justified, much of the zeal that animates change reflects an inadequate grasp of the Church’s institutional character. Building on nuances of this character, a set of concepts, contours, and caveats are offered to inform a theology of change for the Church, one that is sensitive to the Spirit. Pentecostal theology provides a compelling context for this endeavor. It is argued that this theology must be sensitive to the authoritative role of Spirit-Word, the de- and re-constructive work of the Spirit, and the dynamics of social context.
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 122 | 25 | 1 |
| Full Text Views | 161 | 6 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 28 | 10 | 0 |