Spiritual Abortion
Twentieth-century Americans like me were taught to focus on an instant salvation, a decision-oriented regenration, a conversion event. The church on the other side, more in keeping with Christians throughout history, will emphasize the process of conversion, not only the event. Just as the birth event is the culmination of a long process, and is the commencement of another long process, and in and of itself constitute a process (and a labourious one at that) - so the conversion event will be seen in the new church as a snapshot of a flowing river, a rain shower in a larger weather system, an important episode in an all-important process.
As a result, we won't rush people towards a decision. We will see rushed decisions as potential abortions - harmful, dangerous, even criminal. We will see this process and its component events as all taking place under the watchful eye of a provident, relational, dynamic God.
- Brian McLaren, The Church on the Other Side, p 84-85.
Labels: Reflection
