A Marvelous Prospect

Onward Christian Soldiers

Why don’t we sing this incredible song much anymore? Please read its words with me:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; Forward into battle see His banners go!
Refrain: Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before.
At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee; On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise; Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise. (Refrain)
Like a mighty army moves the church of God; Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we, One in hope and doctrine, one in charity. (Refrain)
What the saints established that I hold for true. What the saints believèd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold, Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled. (Refrain)
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail; We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail. (Refrain)
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng, Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King, This through countless ages men and angels sing. (Refrain)

Do you know that we, the Church, are in a culture war – for the hearts and minds of our families, friends, and neighbors? Are “Hell’s foundations quivering at the shout of our praise”? Is our church moving “like a mighty army”? Can you honestly say “What the saints established that I hold for true. What the saints believed, that I believe too”?

Last fall I applied for and was accepted into a “year long distance-learning venture” called “The Centurions.” I can’t describe it any better than this, from the Web site: “This intense distance-learning venture prepares Christians to live out their faith authentically and powerfully in the world and unites them in a continuing network as agents of transformation from the inside out. As believers apply biblical truth to every aspect of their lives—becoming more like Christ in how they think and act—they will shine the light of biblical truth into the community around them.” (See http://www.breakpoint.org/generic.asp?ID=2748)

Centurions – leaders of 100 men, were the backbone of the Roman Empire. A Centurions class is 100 people selected from applicants from around the whole country. The 2009 class is the 6th, and it is our goal to become leaders in our families, churches, and communities. Chuck Colson established this teaching program in consultation and collaboration with a whole host of today’s great Christian thinkers and teachers. Colson was inspired by the life of William Wilberforce, who led the movement to abolish the slave trade in England in the late 1700′s. Wilberforce was driven by his Christian worldview – as dramatized in the movie “Amazing Grace.” At one point – a crisis of faith of sorts – he felt like abandoning politics in favor of becoming a cleric. But he was advised that he could serve God IN politics. So that’s what he did – he lived his life governed by his Christian faith, and he let that faith drive his political goals. He didn’t hide in the closet, as many would have us do today. Colson wants us to come out of the closet, equipped to winsomely challenge our post-modern culture.

I have stepped down from Session in order to devote myself to this work. We’ll be reading a book a month – most of which are thick and dense, critically viewing a movie a month (I just watched January’s movie – The Matrix – and stopped it at least 10 times to make notes), weekly on-line discussions, monthly conference calls, and three residencies at Prison Fellowship Ministries HQ near Reston, Virginia. Also included are daily devotional reading (and thinking and journaling) and a book of selected poems. At the heart of the program is teaching, and the fall quarter is dedicated to designing and conducting a teaching project. Finally, our commissioning is not completed until we prepare an acceptable 3-year plan for our discipling efforts. In January Kathleen and I attended the William Wilberforce Weekend Conference, which was the commissioning residency for members of the 2008 class. At that conference Colson noted that the way he has best learned anything is through teaching it, and so I plan to share what I’m learning with you through the newsletter, as well as through classes later in the year.

I believe it will be a life-changing experience, and I hope that I can in turn help our church become a life-changer in our community and the world. I covet your prayers as we begin this endeavor together. I want to be led by God to study and learn wisely, and then to teach effectively.

“Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng, Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King, This through countless ages men and angels sing.”