full disclosure. I’m participating in a blog tour with Zondervan to review a newly-published book your church is too small by John Armstrong. I ran into the author a bit when I was a teenager at America’s KESWICK. I received a pre-published copy for free.
This is not a book about making your local church bigger. It’s a book about discovering the width and the depth of God’s people, joining them and worshiping God as a result. The book is split into three different points.
past: The Biblical and historical basis for Christian Unity
John explores his own story – an spiritual, intellectual, theological journey from a sort of practical fundamentalist separatism to a fresh catholicity. He guides the reader through many historical problems with Christians through the present-day and points out that church separatism/elitism is a great danger to the Gospel and is hurting the cause of Christ. He opens the Bible and points to Gods intent that the church be united. (I really appreciate his candor and his openness in telling his own story and ‘conversion’ experiences.)
present: Restoring Unity in the Church Today
John maps a clear direction for accomplishing unity. In a nutshell – churches become more united as they become more Christian. It’s a prideful church that emphasizes their distinctions more than Jesus. Churches should all be about Jesus and the gospel instead of “human systems”. Essentially, we should expand our idea of “church” to all Christians in areas, and work together as God’s servants. (I appreciate his emphasis on history and the critique of the present Church and her problems.)
future: The Missional-ecumenical Movement
John unveils a new (old?) paradigm for thinking about the Church. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.” (Psa 133.1) This is where the rubber hits the road – hardly anyone is explicitly against church unity, they just differ on what that looks like. His answer comes in 7 commitments.
- a restored commitment to the sacraments
- an increased appetite to know more about the early church.
- an obvious open expression of love for the whole church and a real desire to see the church become one.
- the blending of the practices of worship, devotion and prayer from the three streams tradition.
- an interest in integrating more liturgical depth and structure with spontaneity and freedom in the Holy Spirit.
- a greater involvement of sign and symbol in worship through banners, crosses, Christian art, and clerical vestments.
- a continuing commitment to personal salvation, solid biblical teaching and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
My Take
First, I like this book. Its a book that some people absolutely MUST READ. Everyone should go on this journey of discovering what God has in the global, national, state-wide, city groupings of Christians. I am passionate about networking with other local churches for the Gospel. In the last week, I’ve spoke at a church outside of our tradition, I’ve planned a VBS that DHEFC will be putting on in an Urban church, I’ve been a part of a youth pastors networking group where we support each other… and almost anyone doing youth ministry on Long Island. No single church is an island so to speak. Jesus has a huge mission for us and we need each other to accomplish it.
Second – it’s a book that I didn’t need to read. For me this idea is like a family reunion. It’s important (I guess) to realize I have relatives in Switzerland or Indiana and its nice to see them, but I’m not planning on moving in with them. What I missed in this book is an affirmation that each church’s flavor is valid and the diversity that it contributes puts God’s glory on display. I really appreciate what my former professor Peter Enns said on this - (and I wish I could quote him correctly) but he was talking about Fundamentalist churches (and i guess, on my background at BJU) – Lots of people outside of the separatist tradition would say that they’re wrong, and they need to change – their church is too small one might be quick to say. Pete said (loosely quoting) ~”Most people think about Paul’s ‘the church is the body with diverse parts’ as talking about people in a local church each being unique and gifted, but I wonder if it’s also talking about local churches in a universal church, because even churches and movements that I disagree with contribute important things to the body. Perhaps it is arrogant of us to look at certain parts and wish they were more like us”. (again loosely quoted, based on a recollection) What I didn’t like about John’s book is that it seemed to at times confuse unity with uniformity. I wish there was more of an affirmation that of unique worship styles cultures, or languages – something that can get lost in a zeal for unity. I love the Church on Long Island, but I’m also thankful that God made the churches as diverse as the people living here.
This book is an encouragement about the Gospel and I left it with renewed thanks to God for how big and expansive is his church.
