One of the classes that I had to take in seminary had to do with Systematic Theology, which, in a very basic way is an attempt to understand the entire body of Christian beliefs as a system of truth. Each doctrine in that system is related to every other doctrine. In essence, the means by which we talk about our faith can be framed into a system of understanding, and one starts with the basic presupposition that the truth of our faith starts with God revealed in Jesus Christ. (Yeah, I know. My head hurt, too, when I was trying to learn it!)
Ironically, when we step back and examine everything around us, even everything about us (immune system, respiratory system, circulatory system, etc.), we are usually able to discern that there are systems in place for everything we do. There are systems for how we pay our bills, for how we prepare meals, for how we keep house, and for how we buy gas for our cars. We have systems for how we study our school lessons, and how we prepare for a big business meeting. We even have a system for buying groceries (do you get the frozen items first or last when you shop?) The systems are not always clearly visible, nor do they always make sense, but they are nonetheless systems.
Even in the church, there are systems in place. We have a system for introducing people to Christ. We have a system for counting the offering, and for teaching Sunday School. We have a system for greeting our guests among us, and we have a system for preparing this newsletter. The systems don’t always make sense, nor are they intentional, but they are nonetheless systems.
When we begin to examine our systems, we can begin to see where we are excelling, and where we need a little extra effort. The important thing about systems is not that we have them, but why we have them. For instance, when a guest comes to our worship service for the first time, how do we greet them? Do we introduce ourselves to them? If they are not sitting near them, do we attempt to find them after the worship service? What is our system for encountering the guests in our midst?
Or, when it comes to teaching and learning the faith, what are the systems in place? What are the expectations that every person should know about God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? The United Methodist Church? How do we share that information? Is it formally or informally? Is it intentional or is it more happenstance? Regardless of whether we know it or not, there is a system in place.
John Wesley had a system for discipleship that would enable people to continue to learn and grow in their faith every day. His system included accountability groups with other Christians who would remind each other of the basic tenets of the faith. They would ask such questions as, “What have you read that increased your knowledge and love of God in Jesus Christ?” and “How is it with your soul?”
Part of what it means to be the Church in today’s world means that we begin to see how our faith can interact with the world outside of the church walls. When we leave the parking lot, what system do we use to share our faith? Is it intentional, or is it happenstance? When we leave the church grounds on Sunday morning, what system do you have in place to continue to dwell on God’s Word? How is it with your soul? What system do you have in place that will help your soul to grow in grace? Is it an intentional system of discipleship? How might you begin to “tweak” that system to make it more effective? Certainly food for thought!!!
See you in Church!
Grace and peace,
Brad
