Behind the Scenes of a typical Dubliner today
Rev’d Kieron Lynch and Immanuel Church Dublin are reaching a multinational context which is at the epicentre of a cultural and spiritual melting-pot. In this briefing he uncovers the radical nature of simple Biblical ministry today in an urban setting and stresses the need for engaging with the ‘behind the scenes’ thought life of those we are trying to reach.
“What does it mean spiritually when a butterfly flies around you?”
Seriously? What does it mean?
Maybe you think we’ve gone theologically wayward of late. It’s an odd question - or is it?
We have a popular culture magazine here called ‘Totally Dublin’. On their website the number one article as I write answers the question I began with, What does it mean spiritually when a butterfly flies around you? The question is not odd to the readers of Totally Dublin. That tells me we are on a different page to those around us. Those we need to reach.
How did you react when you read that question? Did it seem laughable, odd, irrelevant? That is precisely how we sound to those around us when we speak of Jesus.
And we have a whole lot of baggage to overcome too. Recent toxic church history means scandal and corruption is expected from us. In the New Ireland butterfly-spirituality is more welcome than bibles.
What we hold dear is marred in irrelevance and met with indifference. Plus we have a constantly moving target in the city - people come and go constantly.
There is a genuine sense of impossibility. The gulf is too great. Or is it?
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Because of God we are in Christ Jesus. We are told three times: God chose, God chose, God chose.
Can God chose people in this city who are on a different page? Yes, or we ourselves wouldn’t be here.
But how do we engage in real time; how do we propose to plant and strengthen churches that bridge the gulf between butterflies and bibles?
For a start we need to know the norms around us, the thinking, and the trends.
Whatever our particular context we must get to grips with the specific cultural obstacles before us. With that Spirit-given knowledge we can attempt to build what we might describe as a bi-cultural bridge -a bridge less alien and redundant looking to those butterfly worldviews.
So, what does it mean spiritually when a butterfly flies around you?
I was fascinated to find the following headings in the article:
Symbol of Resurrection
New Beginnings
Transformation and Spiritual Growth
Endurance and Hope
Love and Longevity
Connection With Mental and Emotional Wellness
Creative Expression
Freedom and Lightness
These are themes that matter to people. They matter to us all whether Christian or not and they shout gospel! The gospel fulfils all these longings. Maybe the gulf is not so great after all?
No doubt our task is intimidating. All of us feel weak, fearful and ill equipped.
Listen to how Paul knew such trepidation;
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
May we all rest in the power of God and take the gospel forward for His glory alone. Because of Him we are in Christ; He chose us; He bridged the gap through Jesus Christ, His incarnation, His death, His resurrection. We cannot add to that-but we must make Him known.
What does it mean spiritually when the Spirit lives within you?
It means we are sober minded about the challenges in our city but we are emboldened to build bridges and depend upon a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that our churches and ministries might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
What does it mean spiritually when a butterfly flies around you?
Seriously?
It means people are asking questions and Jesus is the answer.
In ICM we are not only concerned to start new churches, but also to strengthen existing churches that will engaging meaningfully in their local context with the gospel.
Should you and your church want to discover more about the need for gospel contextualisation get in touch and begin with a consultancy call today!
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