I picked up a new book this weekend by Brian McLaren (pictured above) titled A Generous Orthodoxy. I'm not sure what I think about it yet, but I'm intrigued by what I've read so far. Specifically, the part that talks about correct orthodoxy (knowing what's right or true) leading to correct orthopraxy (doing what's right or true).
For too long I believe churches have been focused on having correct doxy with not enough emphasis on praxy. Scott Waltman, our education minister, addressed this on Sunday. He estimates that he's spent 10,000 hours learning about the Bible. 10,000 hours. Imagine what could be done if Christians spent 10,000 living like Christ?
Our church building is a perfect example of a -doxy emphasis. We have dozens of classrooms. Our church is built like a school!
I don't want to downplay the importance of studying and knowing the Bible. Feasting upon the word of God is essential for anyone who wants to be a committed follower of Christ. But until we start doing what the Bible is teaching, what's the point?
Our church is starting something I'm very excited about. On Wednesday nights, a night that has typically been spent as another hour of study, we're focusing on service. There will be no class (aside from a 4-week class that shares service opportunities) and every member who shows up will be put to work.
If we as Christians can focus less on knowing and studying and more on believing and living the church will never be the same. And I think that's a good thing.
