more comments by Kevin Miller

more comments by Kevin Miller from
http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2003/cln30213.html
PPM="proponents of postmodern ministry"

The reason I ranted for PPMs to stop modernist-bashing was not primarily because it's tiresome but because it diverts energy from the more difficult work of birthing new approaches to ministry, which the church desperately needs. If the modernist church is dead, as some PPMs claim, why stand at the graveside, yelling at the deceased? PPMs are at their best when they draw energy not from hatred of the modern church but from love of postmodern nonChristians. Thus, I like writers such as Rick Richardson (Evangelism Outside the Box) and Tony Jones (a chapter in Stories of Emergence), who offer guidance for reaching today's culture.

Having made far too much of a title, let me hasten to say I loved the book's chapter (by McLaren) on being postmodern. These outtakes express what I believe and hope that both mods and pomos will read and heed:

"Let's talk about the term postmodern. Nearly everybody is sick of it. And no wonder, since it is used in a jillion different ways. … Another reason for widespread fatigue with the term postmodern: people like me who talk about the subject too often indulge in facile dualisms. This is so modern, we say with self-impressed arrogance, and that is so postmodern. Such facile contrast is not only annoying, but stupid. … I'd rather be a humble modern than a snobbish postmodern any day. Better yet, I'd rather be a humble Christian seeking to do God's will in our fast-changing world in harmony and collaboration with all God's people (whatever their taste in eras)."

Amen and amen.