Comments on: Towards a 21st Century Church: Four Assumptions to Challenge

By: 2018 Census data - The Baptist Magazine of New Zealand

2018 Census data - The Baptist Magazine of New Zealand — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 20:16:39 +0000

[…] Here I’m drawing on Brian Harris’s helpful distinction between ‘problems’ and ‘conditions’. […]

By: Deb Hurn

Deb Hurn — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 11:55:02 +0000

“Christians aren’t atheists – but often live as though they are.”
Do you think this condition might be the result of crippling introspection caused by intimidation from secular society? I think it is time to stop creeping around; from henceforth just be “out and proud”. Why not? All the deviants and haters are. Enough of all the shame, angst, and self-censorship. Unbelievers hold Christians to an impossible standard of inoffensiveness… impossible because even the mildest expression of your faith is now offensive and the haters get to define what kind and amount of Christian presence or activity is acceptable… basically no kind and no amount. Fear of offending induces silence… muted preaching, PC teaching, gospel-free outreaching. By now, after decades of decline and collective “mea culpa”, there is no program the churches haven’t tried to get people to 1. stay, and 2. come. The disease is in society not the church. In such circumstances (this happens in cycles throughout history) it is better to stop trying to find that magic approach and just do whatever the Spirit suggests.
P.S. I have tried not to be ‘clunky’ with God-talk for years, thinking the expression of Christian faith is socially hazardous. It hasn’t worked. It hasn’t reconverted my family, in fact, things got worse. Paul insists “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ”. He didn’t wait for someone else to bring up the topic, and then make some mild noncommittal comments, hoping to preach merely by (silent) example. Interesting how the old advice about avoiding the topics of sex, politics, and religion at dinner parties now holds only religion as taboo. That will not go away until Christians recover their courage and confidence.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 09 May 2019 19:39:58 +0000

In reply to Amy F. Very good to hear from you Amy. You are, of course, always welcome to study some more at Vose!

By: Amy F

Amy F — Thu, 09 May 2019 06:37:44 +0000

Thank you for your post Brian. Your wisdom and insight is always welcome (and reminds me how much I miss Vose!) You post some questions I had but could not form into words and provided a way to look at them with clarity.
Although I have no answers to my questions, I feel better knowing a) I don’t have to! And b) I am not alone in them. Thank you 🙂

By: Rochelle Masters

Rochelle Masters — Wed, 08 May 2019 23:58:46 +0000

Amazing .. thank you!

By: Towards a 21st Century Church (2): Time for the 500 year Rummage Sale? - Brian Harris

Wed, 01 May 2019 22:02:38 +0000

[…] my earlier blog post “Towards a 21st Century Church”, I discussed four assumptions we should challenge if we are to make a constructive journey […]

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 15:07:32 +0000

In reply to Edward Pillar.

I certainly think we need to live in the light of the resurrection – for this frees us to move from fear to love… which is a big step ahead.

By: Edward Pillar

Edward Pillar — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 10:16:44 +0000

Thank you Brian. This is excellent. Would you characterise the transformation necessary as a form of resurrection?

By: Rod St Hill

Rod St Hill — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 05:59:19 +0000

As always, an insightful piece. I find the distinction you made regarding problems vs conditions helpful. It’s good for thought given my long held beliefs about the seven mountains approach.

By: Peter Oliver

Peter Oliver — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 01:18:37 +0000

All very, very good. There is so much important truth here. But what are we going to do about it? These are vitally important issues – perhaps the most important issues that the church has to face and, most importantly, act on. Are these things on the agenda for the Baptist Pastoral Retreat? I hope that nothing else is because I suspect that nothing is more important.

What are we going to do about it? I would suggest that all we need to do is return to the simple commands of our loving Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Love God. Love others (this means listening to others and treating others with respect). Pray. Humble ourselves. Then the world will know that we are his disciples – because we behave in ways that are so unlike the world’s way of behaving.

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Gandhi.