Comments on: What is Incarnational Ecclesiology? http://www.lofitribe.com/2007/09/08/what-is-incarnational-ecclesiology/ A virtual notebook of Christian expression, journey, and study. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:33:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7-RC1 hourly 1 By: Rich Kirkpatrick http://www.lofitribe.com/2007/09/08/what-is-incarnational-ecclesiology/#comment-5983 Rich Kirkpatrick Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:45:24 +0000 http://www.lofitribe.com/2007/09/08/what-is-incarnational-ecclesiology/#comment-5983 Thanks for buying the CD! I hope to finally record some more material soon. I think Hudson Taylor would be and emerging church guy today, don't you? He lived out the contextual thing well. Now, we live in a mission field in our own neighborhood. So, this such an important discussion for sure! The church has to contextualize. I think I am getting this finally. Thanks for buying the CD! I hope to finally record some more material soon.

I think Hudson Taylor would be and emerging church guy today, don’t you? He lived out the contextual thing well. Now, we live in a mission field in our own neighborhood. So, this such an important discussion for sure! The church has to contextualize. I think I am getting this finally.

]]> By: Shawn Anthony http://www.lofitribe.com/2007/09/08/what-is-incarnational-ecclesiology/#comment-5954 Shawn Anthony Sun, 09 Sep 2007 12:17:49 +0000 http://www.lofitribe.com/2007/09/08/what-is-incarnational-ecclesiology/#comment-5954 Absolutely, Rich. In fact, if done honestly, a movement dedicated to an "incarnational" missiology actually attracts a certain segment of people. I am of course, seriously pushing the definitions of these terms in that example, but I think the truth is apparent. I believe that occasions will arise when the Gospel must be presented in an immediate sort of way. In other words, sometimes you do have to point those with whom you have not had the chance to build a relationship yet towards the Gospel. I think this is your "both and." I still think that either method is seriously benefited if you are an authentic part of and participant of the larger culture in which all of this is unfolding. Take Jesus for example ... he made use of both methods, for sure. He was incarnational and attractional, right? Yes, he was. He also lived in the host culture for 30+ years before he actually began his ministry. So, yeah, the goal is to draw, either incarnationally or attractionally, but both should be done contextually. Thanks for the comment, brother. BTW: I downloaded your CD from iTunes a while back. I love it! I listen to it often. Thanks and keep the great music coming! Blessings to you ... Absolutely, Rich. In fact, if done honestly, a movement dedicated to an “incarnational” missiology actually attracts a certain segment of people. I am of course, seriously pushing the definitions of these terms in that example, but I think the truth is apparent.

I believe that occasions will arise when the Gospel must be presented in an immediate sort of way. In other words, sometimes you do have to point those with whom you have not had the chance to build a relationship yet towards the Gospel. I think this is your “both and.” I still think that either method is seriously benefited if you are an authentic part of and participant of the larger culture in which all of this is unfolding.

Take Jesus for example … he made use of both methods, for sure. He was incarnational and attractional, right? Yes, he was. He also lived in the host culture for 30+ years before he actually began his ministry.

So, yeah, the goal is to draw, either incarnationally or attractionally, but both should be done contextually.

Thanks for the comment, brother. BTW: I downloaded your CD from iTunes a while back. I love it! I listen to it often. Thanks and keep the great music coming! Blessings to you …

]]> By: Rich Kirkpatrick http://www.lofitribe.com/2007/09/08/what-is-incarnational-ecclesiology/#comment-5952 Rich Kirkpatrick Sun, 09 Sep 2007 07:34:02 +0000 http://www.lofitribe.com/2007/09/08/what-is-incarnational-ecclesiology/#comment-5952 I agree with the incarnational approach for sure. I do think, however, that there could be a "both and" reality here, however. Is it possible to both do a "go to" and a "draw in" in your community. Or, is this strictly an "either or"--coming from a moderately emergently missional guy? Jesus did draw crowds, for instance, as well as sit in small settings. He both fed crowds and healed individuals. Just a thought. I agree with the incarnational approach for sure. I do think, however, that there could be a “both and” reality here, however. Is it possible to both do a “go to” and a “draw in” in your community. Or, is this strictly an “either or”–coming from a moderately emergently missional guy? Jesus did draw crowds, for instance, as well as sit in small settings. He both fed crowds and healed individuals. Just a thought.

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