Who's Afraid of Post-Modernism? James Smith

Chapter 1

There is a difficult tension within the church of encouraging individuals to be part of community but not confine that community within the walls of church building. Churches today, that I have experienced (including my own), exemplify the characteristics of the ‘modern’ church or Christianity where it is based on the individual, and what the church looks like a collection of individual. As Smith tries to explain the shift from modern to post modernism, he approaches Christianity not from an individual standpoint but as a Church, the body of Christ. Churches need to also make this shift from a privatized, individual faith to a communal perspective of Church.

Chapter 2

My church, like many others, have implemented small groups as a way to grow relationally in intimacy with God by sharing with one another their lives, discouraging the ‘modern’ perspective of faith. When they do come together, instead of one facilitator or leader interpreting and sharing from scripture, each individual can have the opportunity to share their input on what the scriptures might be communicating. Of course, this has to be done with accountability of the leader, but interpretation doesn’t have to be exclusively through one individual. In this way, Christians are able to understand, read, and communicate the scriptures more accurately and responsibility whether it be in privacy or group setting. This can be a healthy practice for people wanting to grow in their faith.

Chapter 3

“Postmodernity should signal new openings and opportunities for Christian witness in the broad marketplace of ideas.” How can the church take advantage of the postmodern culture without approaching the challenge with modern thought? I believe that the church would have to creatively explore new ways in ‘doing’ church. The greatest challenge will be to stay true to God’s word while sharing its truth in ways where it will resound with today’s culture. Hopefully the narrative of the gospel shared within the church can translate into Christian’s living out the story of scripture in their everyday lives. Structural and programmatic changes would also have to made to challenge members of the church to carry out lives in the manner of the gospel, such as encouraging groups to get involved in community service or reaching out their neighbors.

Chapter 4

This chapter challenges the church to realize the disciplinary mechanisms of society that shape form who we are. The system and process we are raise in produces a type of individual. In the same way the church and learn from how society systemically disciplines their people to be the way they are. I believe our church can learn a great deal from the educational system. Each year the standard and expectations are raised for each student, and they have to perform to continue in their education. I don’t think the church should implement the grading system or performance based teaching, but rather constantly pushing and challenging believers to mature in their faith. The church needs to implement a disciplinary mechanism to counter society’s agenda. This can be discussed in the discipleship strategy of the church.

Chapter 5

My church would’ve benefited greatly through this book. In chapter 5, all the ideas, arguments, and suggestions come together. It challenges the church to keep the orthodox practices but be free in its methodology. The chapter ends in beautifully portraying different approaches of performing those orthodox practices specific to time, place, and culture. But the end hope is incarnation ministry, being the church, the hands and feet that reach and serve the world. My church can greatly reexamine their ministry and see how they are being incarnational to the community and people they are trying to reach. They can even reexamine their traditional practices and see if there is a better way or more appropriate approach to them. All for the glory of Christ.