Oh crap, I forgot to check my assumptions. There are a bunch of them now that I think of it. Many of these are key to the idea of mission and purpose from my perspective.
1. Is there is a lack of a deep community in the institutional churches? If so is this due to fear of the potential for massive dissagreement if we unravel the truth of what others actually believe?
2. Is it fear of a loss of belief, on the part of some, that prevents them from an honest examination of the challenges to faith? Is this examination beneficial or necessary?
3. Is it possible that there are a statistically insignificant number of people who are truly interested in exploring the issues of meaning and purpose?
4. What practices, beliefs or state of consciousness are requisite to a claim to authentic Christian discipleship?
5. Is it possible that all are on a spiritual quest, regardless of whether they realize it or not?
6. How are we to truly understand the great commission? Is a shared vision of discipleship for more than very small group of people possible? If not - how can we begin to imagine, in the broader context, anything like a community of faith?
7. If certain of our assumptions prove to be in error does this bring into question whether anything meaningful at all can be articulated in terms of mission by those who claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ?
8. In light of the preceding is it possible that nominal Christianity is adequate for most people?
9. In the broader context is it possible or beneficial to even try to convey, or to any meaningful degree confer with others regarding the reality and texture of spiritual consciousness?
10. Given significance, number, and difficulty of these questions, is it realistic, in the context of Christian community and dialog, to hope for anything more than a general state of chaotic ambiguity?
11. Is it realistic to make the assumption that we can sufficiently undestand these questions, and in a way that justifies any vision of mission in a broader social context ?
Mark
1. Is there is a lack of a deep community in the institutional churches? If so is this due to fear of the potential for massive dissagreement if we unravel the truth of what others actually believe?
2. Is it fear of a loss of belief, on the part of some, that prevents them from an honest examination of the challenges to faith? Is this examination beneficial or necessary?
3. Is it possible that there are a statistically insignificant number of people who are truly interested in exploring the issues of meaning and purpose?
4. What practices, beliefs or state of consciousness are requisite to a claim to authentic Christian discipleship?
5. Is it possible that all are on a spiritual quest, regardless of whether they realize it or not?
6. How are we to truly understand the great commission? Is a shared vision of discipleship for more than very small group of people possible? If not - how can we begin to imagine, in the broader context, anything like a community of faith?
7. If certain of our assumptions prove to be in error does this bring into question whether anything meaningful at all can be articulated in terms of mission by those who claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ?
8. In light of the preceding is it possible that nominal Christianity is adequate for most people?
9. In the broader context is it possible or beneficial to even try to convey, or to any meaningful degree confer with others regarding the reality and texture of spiritual consciousness?
10. Given significance, number, and difficulty of these questions, is it realistic, in the context of Christian community and dialog, to hope for anything more than a general state of chaotic ambiguity?
11. Is it realistic to make the assumption that we can sufficiently undestand these questions, and in a way that justifies any vision of mission in a broader social context ?
Mark
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