What is our base?

A while back I blogged about 3 ways the church reacts to culture: Methodological, Philosophical and Theological. I maintained that methodical changes are a only superficial and theological changes are dangerous. It is when we examine why we do what we do that we can begin to make shifts in our core values and truly relate to culture.

So,what is the foundation of our philosophical change? Our basis for ministry is related to our theological perspective. Theology informs our philosophy, which in turn determines our methodology.

More specifically our theology should first be grounded in the person and character of God (prolegomena). The way we do ministry and how we are the church should not be based on our ecclesiology, but on our theology of God.

Here is how it breaks down:
Theology: What do we know from Scripture and believe about the character and qualities of the Godhead?
Philosophy: What are our core values and commitments based on our theology?
Methodology: How are we going to practically live out our core values and commitments?

Examples:
Theology: God is love. 1 John 4:7-10
Philosophy: We value others regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey or how they smell.1 John 4:11-14
Methodology: Care for the homeless downtown. Buying tires for someone who can not afford them. Baby sitting so a single mother can go to work.

Theology: God is a sending God. John 3 16:
Philosophy: Being missional (a foundational and prophetic call for the church to orient everything it does around the purpose of mission.) John 17:18, 20:21
Methodology: Commitment to being a small community of Christ followers in order to plant other church gatherings. Moving to the "wrong side of the tracks" in order to help create change.

Theology: God is just. Deuteronomy 16:19-20, Luke 18:1-8
Philosophy: It is the churches responsibility to fight injustice and promote justice through the world(in according with the character of God.)
Methodology: Giving of time and money to domestics abuse shelters. Protesting unethical government policy or action. Being a voice for those too young or to frail to speak for themselves.

This is why the study of theology and Scripture is crucial for the health and maturity of the church. When we move to basing our ministry on pragmatic ideas, we will eventually fail to live out the kingdom of God, create disciples and witness to the story of God in Jesus the Christ.