I’ve just finished reading through Doug’s latest book, A Christianity Worth Believing.
Disclaimer: Doug is one of my heroes. Not for theological reasons, but for his prowess in cultural understanding. He knows his audience because he values his story.
This book is simply amazing. Through his own story Doug walks you through a process of deconstruction of the methods and practices that have invaded the church. He forces you to rethink and question why you do what you do. It’s honest and revealing.
It’s also applicable to ministry to children and families. Doug came from a completely unchurched background before his conversion, which took place later in his teen years. He shows you how some of your traditions and methods are a hinderance to kids and families from backgrounds like his. He forces you to step back and evaluate how you minister to kids and if your methods are purposeful and strategic.
Honestly, I found that I was doing my kids a disservice in many ways after reading this book. The postmodern culture communicates through a storying process. They see themselves as part of a metanarrative. I realized that my methods weren’t involving kids to participate in sharing their story and because of this they aren’t able to make the needed connection points to the Christian journey.
I would highly encourage you to get this book. It’s a transparent and refreshing word on the opportunities that face the church.
Does he construct anything, offer any possible answers to the questions, or offer anything to replace the methods you give up on? Not being a snot…..curious…..
It’s not about “giving up” on methods or methodology. It’s about examining why they exist in the first place. Pagitt approaches these issues from a biblical perspective to avoid the trappings of philosophy.
Pagitt calls believers away from the Platonic beginnings of the church as seen in the faith of Augustine (who I love) and some of the Gnostic beliefs that crept into the church in its inception.
His call is to the understand every issue from the perspective of Christ. More specifically a call to return to the Jewish and early Christian approaches to mankind, sin, creation, etc. This is a call to the faith of Jesus, Paul, and the early apostles.
Doug is a deconstructionist… who offers hope.
It is interesting to hear your view on Doug. I have read several of his books, spent a week at his church including the Emergent Summer Institute, and have sat one on one with him over coffee and my view of his outlook is quite different. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Blessings!
Glad to see you have found your new ministry in Michigan. Was looking to see what your Dad was up to for his website. Need to call and visit with your Mom. Great to see you serving the Lord in this new place.
Your relatives in Dallas/Allen, Texas
John and Lynn
Kendall, Allison, and Elliott