Going Back to Go Forward

Darryl Dash had an interesting post this week on thoughts about church renewal based on the writings and ministry of Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones. See Back to the gospel is the only way forward In Dr. Jones day three proposals were made that seem very familiar.

1. Doing church better

Some tried to "popularize the church and make it appeal to people," offering "special inducements and attractions." Lloyd-Jones once listened patiently as church members in London suggested "more music, livelier music, special musical numbers, shorter sermons, sermons not so deep, more variety in the services, etc." in order to increase attendance. Churches adopted "the methods of big business and advertising" in an attempt to stem the tide.

But even then, doing church better did not lead to greater overall attendance. Lloyd-Jones said, "Our attempts are hopeless failures...The world today is laughing at the church, laughing at her attempts to be nice and to make people feel at home."

Many today are also concluding that doing church better is not the answer. "You can build the perfect church - and they still won't come," observes one recent author.

2. Adapting theology

...Some today argue that theology needs to change. I understand the desire to rethink what we believe. We should never mindlessly accept dogma. But I've become increasingly uncomfortable with theological innovation. In changing the message, it's easy to lose it.

"The more the Church has accommodated her message to suit the palate of the people," said Lloyd-Jones, "the greater has been the decline in attendance at places of worship."

3. Renewed focus on the Gospel

...People found it hard to believe that Lloyd-Jones focused on preaching the Gospel and emphasizing the need for the Holy Spirit to empower the church. Many thought that this approach was hopelessly outdated. Yet the results of his ministry were profound, and its effects still continue to today.

....I'm beginning to see more people take the approach that Lloyd-Jones advocated, even - especially - among younger people. Influential pastors like Tim Keller are emphasizing Gospel-centered ministry. Blogs, books, and groups like The Gospel Coalition are being formed around a renewed focus on the Gospel.

"We need to come back to what Jeremiah called 'the ancient Paths,'" one pastor wrote to me recently. "I have discovered that what we really need is to get back to the Gospel and make that central to all that we do." The way forward to effective ministry in a new day, it turns out, looks an awful lot like the path back to the Gospel.

I've edited the above, so you should follow the link to read the whole thing. I like and agree with the Jeremiah reference. Sometimes the only way forward is to first go back to where you lost your way.