This Christian Life

TheOoze

I just discovered (thanks to the hint of a friend) a site called TheOoze. Looks great. The following is from their FAQ.

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What does THEOOZE believe?
In terms of theological beliefs, we are choosing to align with the Apostle’s Creed. Throughout the ages, and even more recently, the Church has allowed belief systems to separate, divide, and break relationships. We believe that there foundational beliefs that are found within the Apostle’s Creed that are paramount to our ministry. Beyond the Apostle’s Creed, we want to allow the various streams and traditions of Christianity the opportunity to highlight elements that they believe to be central to their expression of faith.

What does THEOOZE think about Postmodernism?
Since the 1960’s, sociologists have noted that we have been transitioning into what they call postmodernism. Authors, scholars, artists, architects, and many others who challenged the existing, traditional worldviews, assumptions, and beliefs, introduced postmodernism.

In its essence, postmodernism has fundamentally changed the way our culture thinks and acts. While absolute truth, morals, and spiritual framework used to be an assumption, now they are often negated and even scoffed at. Our society has radically shifted away from foundational elements and values that Christianity would hold as key assumptions and beliefs.

Although the entire world has experienced this shift, the generations that have been most affected were born after 1964. That is all they have known – a world that is based upon postmodern thought and analysis. Interestingly enough, as the world has been changing, most local churches have kept the same services and programs from the 1950’s. The assumptions about life and ministry have not shifted in order to meet the needs of our ever-changing culture, so many churches are hard-pressed to find someone under 35 years of age in their congregation. Even many of the churches started in the 1980’s are having a difficult time attracting, engaging, and meeting the needs of this new mindset.

Although many have chosen to fight against our current culture, we believe there is a new, emerging mindset that would rather take postmodernism into account. Although there are many aspects of postmodernism that are contrary to our Christian faith, this cultural shift has created a greater awareness of spirituality and the need for the holy Other. We believe that the local church has the opportunity to meet the needs of this emerging mindset.
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