Flawed Extremes

I have been thinking a lot lately about the terms conservative and progressive. Here in Australia the conservative Christians are the ones who are very rigid and do things the way it was ten or fifteen years ago. The progressive Believers attempt to bring change into the church and are constantly looking for the next new idea. It is not surprising that both of these groups don't like each other and encourage people to adopt their ministry philosophy instead of the others.

I sort of got caught in the middle of this war between conservative and progressive Christians when I came to Australia. Both groups wanted me to make a decision on whether I would be conservative or progressive. The situation was very hard for me because I didn't completely agree with either group.

I agree with the strong doctrinal stand that the conservatives take. On the other hand, I personally feel that the church should grow and change its methods of ministry in order to make a stronger impact upon their community. Doctrine is never changed under any circumstances though.

I liked some of the new methods that the progressive churches used. But could not agree with all of their methods, or the weakened doctrinal position that those methods were based upon.

My response was to become involved with both groups. Friends told me that this was not possible and sooner or later I would have to choose one group. But after a year and a half I still have strong relationships with both conservatives and progressives. We don't always agree on everything but that is just part of life. In those situations we agree to disagree except when major doctrine is in jeopardy. Sometimes it feels like I am walking a tightrope hundreds of feet in the air while working with both groups. But that is a small price to pay in order to become a “balanced Christian.”

Both the conservative and progressive extreme have their problems. A part of me feels as if a new group of Christians should be developed. A group that takes the doctrine of the conservatives, and blends it with the creativity and growth of progressives. The doctrine will give us a foundation to evaluate and judge all new methods. And the methods will allow us to share God's timeless truth in a way that is applicable to the current culture. The problem is nobody is really clear on what balanced Christians look like. We as Believers must spend time studying the Scriptures and meditating upon God's character (Holiness balanced with love). As we study God's Word he will show us what it means to live the balanced Christian life.

It is important that we start thinking about what it means to live in a balanced way. This doesn't mean that we totally accept all of the new spiritual growth books that come along. It means we come to the realisation that both extremes are flawed in their own way. And in order to reach the next generation, we must allow God to help us think outside of our categories.