Emerging and Classic Brethren in Christ Ecclesiology
I am a devoted member of the Brethren in Christ Church. Many of you know that I was converted and baptized under the grace-laden spiritual guidance of an old, pious, and wise BIC pastor. I am now a pastor and church planter within the Brethren in Christ. The BIC is my spiritual home. I’m also conversant with the Emerging Church. The fusion of the emerging conversation and classic BIC expression works well because it’s a combination that offers plenty of opportunities for practical and relevant congruence. The Emerging Conversation resonates with very, very important aspects of classic BIC theology, expression, and praxis. Some say the Emerging Church reflects the principles and theology inherent to Anabaptist expressions of Christianity, of which the BIC is a part. I tend to agree. Read More »
BIC Statement of 1961 on Sanctification
The following is the 1961 Brethren in Christ Statement on Sanctification, with a few very slight modifications to reflect the gender egalitarianism that all believers today should be striving towards. These very slight modifications appear in italics. The 1961 Statement on Sanctification is solid. I actually prefer it to all other statements. We all would do well to strive faithfully and honestly towards full consecration to God. Holiness is not an option in the Kingdom of God as preached and pointed towards by Jesus of Nazareth. God be with us … Read More »
BIC Core Course with Dr. Luke Keefer, Jr.
Tomorrow begins a four day study with Dr. Luke Keefer, Jr. I’m scheduled to begin The Brethren in Christ Theology of Salvation (PM 705), the first of four BIC core courses leading to ordination. I’m nearly half-way through my doctrinal statement, which leads to licensing. I really enjoy the study and the process. It will be great to dive deeper into the Anabaptism, Pietism, and Wesleyanism that informs all we do - or should be doing - as members of the Brethren in Christ Church. Good times.
10 Tough Questions Sermon Series at Manor Church
Today marked the start of a 10 week “Ten Tough Questions” Sunday series at Manor Brethren in Christ Church. Manor BIC is our home church. It is also the commissioning and sponsoring congregation for Inner Metro Green. So, when I was asked if I would preach one of the Sundays in this incredible series, I said yes, and emphatically so! Read More »
Our Christian Discipleship as Political Responsibility
I’m fascinated and thrilled by John Howard Yoder’s position re: the relationship between Christian discipleship and the state as articulated in Discipleship as Political Responsibility. Discipleship is, of course, a major conviction - if not [T]he distinguishing characteristic - of the Anabaptist expression of faith.
Christianity (and Anabaptism) is an invitation to authentic personal liberation and spiritual discipline. In other words, we are simultaneously transformed by Christ’s work (Atonement) and we are called and equipped to follow him daily. The historic influence upon this discipleship wielded by Emperor Constantine and Augustine of Hippo is contemporarily obvious, but many are beginning to question (once again) the historicity of these influences and pre-Constantinian and Augustinian connections - if any - to the New Testament and/or early expressions of followership by the Christian Church. It is good to question these things. The Constantinian shift did not occur without great affect. It changed much. It’s also good to hold up the New Testament as the authority (especially if one is Christian!). Christians should be asking, “What does the Bible teach?” But we should not stop there! We should go one important step further and ask, “How do we apply the teachings of Scripture in our day?” Read More »
A Church Planting Partnership with the BIC
It’s official! I’m planting a church in Lancaster City in partnership with the Brethren in Christ. The church is called “Inner Metro Green.” Yes, it is a church built upon the idea/symbolism of color (Green). Yes, it is an emerging, missional, post-Christendom effort (as any good Anabaptist effort should be!). Yes, we will be seriously focusing on individual and social transformation, and equally so. Yes, we will be meeting in homes, at coffee shops, and on park benches all around the city. Yes, we will all be gathering together on Sundays for stripped down and simplistic prayer, celebration, and teaching. Yes, the Gospel is our ethos; the Trinity is our only center. The official launch for IMG will happen in 2008. ‘Till then, we will be busy building the foundation. Read More »
Lancaster City’s Missional BIC Church
I have been blessed with outstanding denominational leaders, elders and pastors in the Brethren in Christ Church. Together we will be planting an emerging-missional church in Lancaster City aka Inner Metro Green. Yes, we are an emerging church; we are missional minded too. You can find us enjoying life, culture, coffee, church and God in our city. Feel free to join us! Read More »
BIC Theology: Pietist Anabaptist Wesleyan Synthesis
I am very much aware of the unfamiliarity most of my readers claim as regards my denomination: The Brethren in Christ Church. So, I thought a quick overview here and there would be beneficial. The following is the first in what will be a continuing series of informative posts re: the B.I.C.
The people of the Brethren in Christ Church (”Brethren” = Community, not Male Priority) swim in the confluence formed by the convergence of three theological streams: Pietism, Anabaptism, and Wesleyanism. Read More »
An Uneasy Synthesis of Heritage Streams
I stumbled - literally - upon an article by Luke Keefer, Professor of Church History and Theology at Ashland Theological Seminary. Luke Keefer is also an incredible Brethren in Christ pastor, missionary, and scholar. I met Luke Keefer back in 1996 and 1997, I believe. The first meeting took place at Ashland theological Seminary, during a conference by I. Howard Marshall; the second meeting occurred at the General Conference of the Brethren in Christ, at Messiah College. I was a very young convert to Christianity in those days. He was/is a brilliant mind. I remember listening to theological conversations that were way, way over my head. Most of this conversation occurred between my father, a BIC pastor, my then mentor, another BIC pastor, and Keefer. It all went over my head back in those days. I won’t even mention I. Howard Marshall’s conference discussions. He may as well have been on another planet (he was talking Pauline Epistles during his conference). That was then; this is now. I can more than keep pace with theological conversations today, after ten years of catch up. Read More »
MDG: Brethren in Christ Christology
Ministerial Ethics class requirements include the perusal of my denomination’s Code of Ethics. The Manual of Doctrine and Government of the Brethren in Christ Church is really solid theological reading. I especially appreciate Section IV (Jesus Christ and Salvation). Read More »
