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Since I began pastoring a Mennonite church (Little Flowers Community), I have been learning more about the Radical Reformation, a term coined by George H. Williams in the break-through book by the same name (“The Radical Reformation”, Truman State University Press, Jan. 2003). While diverse in their beliefs and expressions, the communities of the Radical Reformation did share some common characteristics. Namely, the formation of congregations independent of institutional authority, both civil and ecclesial, and the freedom of individuals to voluntarily join said communities.
This emerged from a world where such freedoms were not found or affirmed, by in large, by the Roman Catholic or Protestant traditions. Despite the often violent differences between these two movements, they were both built around the parish, a model that based ones Church (and civil) involvement on ones geography. Drawing a great deal on the monastic traditions in respect to the individuals right to choose their vocation, they significantly contributed to western culture in the areas of individual freedom, and specifically the freedom to identify and participate in groups according to those rights. In part, this shift was to counter the abusive power of institutional authorities.
As I consider the heritage of this shift towards congregational over parish emphases, I can see many important changes that I strongly affirm. At the heart of the Judeo-Christian tradition is the affirmation of the value of every individual. Further, I am a strong believer in discerning communities of faith leading together, not absolutely subject to institutional powers so distant from daily life. There is much I am grateful for in this movement.
However, I am also aware how quickly those freedoms have been co-opted and corrupted by individualism and consumerism. Focus on the individual has gone so far as to undermine our communal identity and calling as Christ’s unified Body. Our right to freely associate as we choose has often fed into treating church and faith as commodities to be sampled. While the parish system was formed and thrived when portable wealth was virtually unheard of- and thus required geographical proximity- our commuter culture has made us strangers in our own neighbourhoods, closer to online avatars than the person next door.
One of the greatest strengths of the parish system was that it required that we know both our neighbour and our neighbourhood. While there is always be smaller communities drawn together by uniquely shared convictions (even affinities), we too often allow that freedom to rob us of the necessary trials and chaos that comes with relating to people truly different than us. These very dynamics are the fires of formation in the kiln of true community. We rightfully fight the heavy hierarchies in favour of mutual and shared leadership, yet fail to develop the capacity to be people of genuine and humble submission.
Perhaps we have, in our attempt to correct the failings of the past, swung too far in that corrective. Perhaps there is another way, a way that both affirms the freedoms of Christ for every individual, while still requiring of us the difficult, but necessary rootedness in our communities.
What do you think?
Jamie, this is a really interesting post.
I’ve never really thought through the divide you describe here in these terms. I think, probably due to being a little reactionary in nature, I would agree more with the later judgement of the consumerist attitudes to church before getting overly enthusiastic about the championing of the indivudalism that the radical reformation contributed to which has grown to allow a marketplace mindset to permeate our ideas about christian community.
That being said Im aware my ability to think about these issues is based on the earlier premise that I have the individualism given to me to make those decisions, even if it is a decision to opt-out of the marketplace decision making culture, if that makes any sense.
What I mean to say is that, we are all afflicted by consumerism in our attitudes to christian community, even if that is to decide that we will somehow be post-consumerist. That decision though, seems to be a more empowering option because it is a choice, an act of discipline which re-invigorates the heart to why it can be so beneficial to be in a community that you did not ‘choose’ but in a geographical sense chose you. Maybe its not as easy as all that though!…
..Thanks for provoking thought!
Hey Liam,
Thanks for weighing in. I think the challenge is that these two freedoms (like all freedoms) can have expressions that are misused and abused. At the heart of story of God there is a common thread on the value of the individual. That God would covenant was a radical departure from what the people thought of the divine. Our individuality is significant throughout Scripture. However, individualism- placing that value above all others- is an abuse that we must resist- resist without rejecting the underlying good.
In the same way, the freedom to choose where we associate & worship is a critical one insofar as our hearts must choose the worship God, not doing so out of obligation, coercion or fear. However, consumerism is a significant fly in the ointment. Where I think I differ from your take is that I do not equate consumerism with the freedom to make a choice (choosing to be “post-consumerist”), but rather with the treatment of faith & worship communities as products that are designed to meet our needs.
This is where the idea of submission is so critical. We must exercise our freedom in submission to Christ and His church. That does not mean total relinquishment of ones freedom to choose (always), but rather that we recognize that we hold these freedoms under the Lordship of Christ and submission to His purposes.
Peace,
Jamie
Hi Jamie
Good article and thought provoking. Since your Aunt Marilyn and I decided to start a local fellowship in Atikokan our eyes have been opened to many positive and potentially negative outcomes. It is great in many ways to be free from the dictates and traditions of the larger church body. We are free to minister in our community as we believe God is leading us, and do not have to walk the line between church politic and the Father’s leading. On the other hand I am starting to see the value of having accountability to other believers that can be a great help in keeping me grounded, as well as seeing the bigger picture at times.
But one thing for sure, since starting our fellowship I have never had so much fun and joy at doing what I believe God wants for us. Our ministry is Atikokan and we are simply learning to love the people as God loves us. Keep up the good Word.
Uncle Brad
Thanks Uncle Brad. We have a very similar experience. While we are under a denomination, they have given us great freedom and excellent support/accountability. A good balance, to be sure. We also share the joy of ministry you are experience. It is really great!
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie, Thanks for your thoughtful response, I think I was erring to one side a little yesterday! I completely agree that part of the move of God in the Bible is to counter the lack of regard and focus on individuals. I think freedom of choice so quickly becomes consumerism, particularly in younger generations, So I guess its left the tough job of re-education on the distinction between the two, and an understanding that our freedom in itself is a Grace and not a Right, and that latter rhetoric is one that could corrupt our whole approach to Christian community, each other and God Himself. Again, Thanks for getting the cogs turning on this one. Liam
Hey Liam,
It seems like a fairly common dynamic for our greatest strengths, gifts or freedoms to also be the source of our greatest weakness, indulgence and bondage. This emphasis on individuality being still significant within the community is reflect in the nature of God as Trinity. That mysterious tension is what will live our lives attempt, by His grace, to embody and embrace. Glad you found this challenging.
Peace,
Jamie
P.S. Loren Cunningham’s work on giving up rights is a great intro to these ideas.
Good stuff for me to be thinking about. I work out of a church and for a missions organization a little like y’all but different as well. Our church has un-grown (people leaving that do not approve of our relentless pursuit of simplicity in the way we express church) and transplanting this year from an isolated meeting place on the edge of town to the heart of a needy neighborhood in a funky part of our city.
My family will most likely be moving in to the house right next door to the building. Others are considering it. People will still “commute” to our meeting but some of us will be there and the neighborhood is all “abuzz” with our starting to fix up the place (empty for 4 years). So we are in the middle of walking these lines as I write.
Hey Chris,
I LOVE to hear that you (and others) are even asking the questions, let alone making the move to embrace community. Keep us posted!
Peace,
Jamie
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