I am currently reading Alan Hirsch’s ‘The Forgotten Ways’. Now, I have to be honest, I have stayed away from reading this book because I knew I would love it. The reason I am afraid of this is because I knew I wouldn’t know quite what to do with loving what he says, because what he calls for is fairly contrary to what i do currently.
The problem that I face is working out how to live in the tension. I really like what Alan, Forge, and many other groups are about and love what they are doing. Problem is, I feel my place is to be in the established church trying to champion its movement to a more 21st century shaped model.
So why is this a problem? Because this is hard. Because I read so much critique on how we ‘do’ church and agree with it all, and yet feel so strongly that I am to be a part of the very thing I find difficult. I also have trouble because I love my Pastor and his vision for the church I am at, yet at the same time find myself wondering if we are just doing what everyone else is doing and only reaching the 10%.
The Forgotten Ways leaves me asking the question ‘what is my place in reaching the other 90% in Margaret River, what could that look like AND how would I do that in partnership with Rivers. Is it even something I should be thinking about? I am loving the book, but it is ever so challenging.
For those who have read it, how did you find it and how did you deal with the convictions it may have laid on your heart?
