I've been reflecting on the praxis model quite a bit this past week especially as I join a team in starting a new young adults ministry at our church. I have a heart for outreach and I really want this group to be outreach heavy. I think this praxis model has some tremendous benefits in helping the group move towards a place where this can be achieved. However, I do see a distinction in the way the praxis model plays out in our scenario and I don't believe the method and approach falls entirely inline with The Great Commission.
For me, the fundamental difference is in the method and approach of the Praxis model vs. the method and approach of Jesus' overall ministry. According to the praxis model we're called to action and our job is to go out and do outreach/service for the marginalized and then come back and reflect on the experience.
Now, going out and serving the marginalized certainly was the cornerstone of Jesus' ministry as exemplified in both his words and action. However, in Jesus' ministry, according to Matthew, the disciples first had to encounter and discover who Jesus was before they could be sent out to lift up the marginalized and spread the good news. Think about how this plays out in the chronology of Matthew's narrative...it's only after the cross and meeting the risen Christ that the disciples receive the call to action...The Great Commission.
I think there is a potential danger in creating a discipleship program that emphasis the praxis first through action without first spending time understanding why it is that we go out and serve. Without that foundation, I think that we can run into the problem where we're just doing "good works." Is God big enough to work in the situation regardless? Certainly. But I think it might be helpful to build that foundation before we go out to serve.
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3 comments:
Right back at cha, Chris! Looks like we have a conversation going!
Responding now...
I'm glad you two are batting this out. Good thoughts here Chris, I wonder if there is a way to view this beyond an either/or? Are their examples you can pull from or a (re)reading of the gospel that may put this is a different light - that is how to go about it, the ordering of experience/discipleship etc.
One thought that comes to my mind is the somewhat precarious encounter they must have had with Jesus in the beginning, they knew little to nothing about him (supposedly) and they didn't seem to really 'get it.' This is Peter's main failure prior to the resurrection. So there may be a difference in the initial following (maybe even for the wrong reasons-judas?) and discipleship. Another place to look is Jesus sending out the 70 to heal and cast out demons. Who were these people, and had they really been thoroughly indoctrinated with all his teachings, were they safe to send out in his name?
Anyways, is there a way between the binary?
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