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I agree. Absolutely beautiful.
I love it. Christ needs to undress us all (so to speak) and re-clothe us, or, we've got nothing of Him to show or to give.
So, how can we help those in the church, lie down (or even get to the point where they start thinking about their need to 'lie down') and, pain and all, let Christ deal with the old garb (it's pretty thick and sinful) and begin to truly clothe us in His garb of righteousness?

Does a simple faith confession insure that has or will happen, or, is there much more to it?

Does the way we do church, even help us to deal honestly with our 'dragon suits' or, have we managed to set up church/faith systems that enable us to avoid the realities of who we really are; thus, also, robbing us of the thrill - and the need - to encounter who Christ really is?

"have we managed to set up church/faith systems that enable us to avoid the realities of who we really are; thus, also, robbing us of the thrill - and the need - to encounter who Christ really is?"

Naomi:

I fear you are right.

Perhaps decades ago, when life was far simpler and we were far more involved with one another, the model of church we still have (audience-style, largely non-interactive over the message) worked alright because there was so much more room to be seen and known (and encouraged and confronted) in the other spaces and places of our lives, by fellow believers.
It isn't the case any more.

Viera mentions in the CW article (Dec 1, 2006), 'God abandoning one way of doing something, to usher in something new.'
The next move of Christianity in North America has upon it the call to go all the way in grasping what following Christ and laying down our lives means, and it's going to have to include some very radical expressions of this (e.g. Shane Claiborne's Irresistible Revolution)in order to penetrate the cynicism and narcissism of our times.

The bad news is, our society has gone wwwaaaayyyyy downhill. The great news is we get to press muuccchhh furrtthher in, to the things that are truly ours in the Gospel, and in Christ.

So Truth--unveil Yourself to us. Church--shake yourself out of your slumber. And Self--get out of the way. We're moving on up and into this next era of Christianity that will count the cost, and pay it. And we will know joy, and fruit (along with tribulation) that will surprise us all.

Great thoughts Naomi.

I don't think it matters much what syle of church it is, I think what matters most is the Word being preached in its fullness.

The reality is its our sin that separates us from a full relationship with God but how often do we hear about that in the Canadian Church.

We can be saved but still fall back into our sinful ways and we then need to come back and ask Christ to forgive us again of all our "beastly stuff"

Then there are all those going to church, doing church, thinking they are saved but have never dealt with their own sin and have been duped, because nobody has ever told them they need to repent. Its all warm and fuzzy stuff they hear, getting their ears tickled or social gospel believing their works will do it and they have all been duped.

If we regard sin in our lives we can forget about a full relationship with Christ.

The Church in our society is in desperate need of revival and it all starts with "me"

I got to be right with God, I got to repent and move forward in His strength. Then we can get down to doing some serious work for God. Then we can really start taking verses like "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" seriously and just see what God will do. It always comes back to our own relationship with God, what we have going on that God's looking at and saying "you got to get rid of that...... thing, that sin, that compromise, that whatever, that stands in the way of Him working through us to accomplish His purposes.

What a great time of year to reflect on the Reason for the Season, the coming of the Savior who came to die for sin.

I love this from 1 Timothy 1 : 15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I can relate to that. Thank you Lord

Merry Christmas everyone

George -- (It's after the fact here, but in case you check back:)
You write, "...I think what matters most is the Word being preached in its fullness."

I couldn't agree with you more--there's nothing that can penetrate the soul more piercingly than the Word of God, fully preached. And we both know many examples throughout history--past and present--where God has used this 'preaching thing' to accomplish His great ends.

But just as much as this preaching thing, He uses one other thing, that needs to work hand in hand with the preaching gift. Without it--preaching, no matter how good, can remain considerably non-impacting, especially here in N Amca where we excell with information overload.

That 'other thing' is meaningful, challenging, loving conversation with one another--something loads of people in the church are without, even with the possibility of hearing good preaching. Even within good housegroups.

Stirring one another up to honest interaction with the truth, to clear understanding, to holy jealousy, etc is a dying art amongst one another today. And many, many, suffer, for lack of it.

The problem with us relying on preaching alone--or as our main tool nowadays, is that it only relies on the gift of one person, and it leaves far too much room for far too many people to continue being passive listeners, or, undeveloping disciples (somthing we've inadvertantly excelled at allowing).

Thus a church style that also incorporates true community with one another (where we can be seen, and known), and that includes times of vital conversation together, are also absolute musts for today's christian culture and people.

Word of God, and people of God -- we need you both!

Blessings! Nj

BTW George --

I was privileged to attend one of this city's 'best preaching, long-term excellant reputation' churches (because of its fine preaching) for some months earlier this year.

To my surprise, under the covers of this church, many (most?) remain as undeveloped disciples, in spite of all the outstanding preaching (the pastor is recgonized as one of the foremost in his denominiation, in our country)and his church as a bit of the 'poster child' for them.

No small feat. But still, not enough. Not nearly enough.