David Fitch presents seven disciplines
for the church; disciplines that, when lived out, synthesize the organized Missio Dei approach to mission first
described by Newbigin and an incarnational approach to ministry. Fitch believes he has a finger on the pulse
of what it is for the church to be a faithful witness to the Kingdom of God in
the world. I think he is right.
The
disciplines he proposes are, the Lord ’s Table, reconciliation, proclaiming the
Gospel, being with the ‘least of these,’ being with children, fivefold gifting,
and Kingdom prayer. In addition to these
disciplines, he talks about four postures, submission, receiving, ceasing, and socially
engaging. His most compelling words are
his description of mutual submission.
I
wonder what the world would look like if more churches committed to the disciplines
Fitch proposes and lived in the postures he describes. I think I know. I am sure I know what Fitch would say. We would see the in-breaking of the Kingdom. What a sight that would be … will be.
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