Set Theory
This is from Tim Keller:
In mathematics, there are two different ways to define a 'set'. One is a 'bounded set'. A point is in the set if it is related properly to (i.e. if it is inside) the boundary. Another is the 'centered set'. A point is in the set if it is related properly to (i.e. if it is in alignment with or moving toward) the center of the set. Organizations that are 'bounded sets' put great emphasis on the lines of demarcation 'around the circle' – at all points. 1) A person cannot work with or be part of the organization in any meaningful sense without the rite of initiation and the adoption of extensive standards which set the person apart. 2) Differences between members and the outside world are emphasized. 3) Membership is defined in terms of common beliefs and policies and folkways that are pretty extensive. Organizations that are centered-sets put more emphasis on central goals and commitments. 1) A person can work with the organization as long as it shares basic goals and is willing to work for them. 2) Differences between members and the outside world are not emphasized. 3) Membership is defined in terms of active participation toward common tasks and goals.
Traditional churches were 'bounded sets'. It used to be very clear to what belonging to a church meant…. Many traditional and conservative evangelical churches are extremely 'bounded set' in their mentality.
Liberal, mainline churches have almost completely abandoned membership standards and firm boundaries of any kind in an effort to be more 'inclusive.' But in general this has not worked. If a community is not going to be primarily defined by its boundary (we are united in being different from the 'Other'), then it must be united by some common cause or goal (i.e. a centered-set mentality.) A liberal church that is not united by any common belief in God or salvation can only seek to rally around very nebulous goals such as doing charitable deeds in the community. As 'centered-sets' most liberal churches fail.
Another version of the 'centered-set' is the heavily seeker-driven churches spawned by the Willow Creek movement. Many of these experimental works have been so loath to talk about boundaries at all (and often they reject the very idea of membership) that it difficult to see how the church is becoming a radical kingdom counter-culture. Some seeker churches are rightly criticized as buying into American popular and consumer culture, not challenging materialistic, individualistic life-styles, etc. No need to go into all that here. The point is that a church must somehow express both the bounded-set concept and the centered-set concept in its life and structure.
In mathematics, there are two different ways to define a 'set'. One is a 'bounded set'. A point is in the set if it is related properly to (i.e. if it is inside) the boundary. Another is the 'centered set'. A point is in the set if it is related properly to (i.e. if it is in alignment with or moving toward) the center of the set. Organizations that are 'bounded sets' put great emphasis on the lines of demarcation 'around the circle' – at all points. 1) A person cannot work with or be part of the organization in any meaningful sense without the rite of initiation and the adoption of extensive standards which set the person apart. 2) Differences between members and the outside world are emphasized. 3) Membership is defined in terms of common beliefs and policies and folkways that are pretty extensive. Organizations that are centered-sets put more emphasis on central goals and commitments. 1) A person can work with the organization as long as it shares basic goals and is willing to work for them. 2) Differences between members and the outside world are not emphasized. 3) Membership is defined in terms of active participation toward common tasks and goals.
Traditional churches were 'bounded sets'. It used to be very clear to what belonging to a church meant…. Many traditional and conservative evangelical churches are extremely 'bounded set' in their mentality.
Liberal, mainline churches have almost completely abandoned membership standards and firm boundaries of any kind in an effort to be more 'inclusive.' But in general this has not worked. If a community is not going to be primarily defined by its boundary (we are united in being different from the 'Other'), then it must be united by some common cause or goal (i.e. a centered-set mentality.) A liberal church that is not united by any common belief in God or salvation can only seek to rally around very nebulous goals such as doing charitable deeds in the community. As 'centered-sets' most liberal churches fail.
Another version of the 'centered-set' is the heavily seeker-driven churches spawned by the Willow Creek movement. Many of these experimental works have been so loath to talk about boundaries at all (and often they reject the very idea of membership) that it difficult to see how the church is becoming a radical kingdom counter-culture. Some seeker churches are rightly criticized as buying into American popular and consumer culture, not challenging materialistic, individualistic life-styles, etc. No need to go into all that here. The point is that a church must somehow express both the bounded-set concept and the centered-set concept in its life and structure.
posted by Pastor Rod at 4:47 PM
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