As a big time reader, I have seen that there are two significant words that repeatedly arise when talking about faith matters in our current day and age. These two are secular and sacred. Now, before we can really jump into the distinctions between them, as well as what is helpful, it's always important to actually know what we are talking about. So let's start off with working out some definitions for these two.
When I make use of the word secular, it's typically in the sense that it is not something directly related to a faith or belief issue. Okay, let me explain. The driving of a car is a secular issue. The Bible never refers to a car, nor to any rules governing the driving of a car. From that standpoint, a car is a purely secular thing. It has no correlation whatsoever in the biblical world.
Sacred, on the other hands, carries an implication of something that is set apart for God. A chalice that is set aside for use in the celebration of the Lord's Supper is sacred in the sense that it is set apart for a purpose directly related to a faith action. Because it has been set apart for that, there is a great reluctance to utilize it for something like the church potluck.
These two examples seem pretty self evident. The distinction between sacred and secular in these instances seems pretty cut and dried. But, sadly, things are not always so clear cut. In many churches, trying to figure out a system for organizing an approach to ministry seems to paint a gray area in the secular/sacred discussion. Can a church adopt current secular research to create a system of managing the ministry which is set apart for service to God? Is the use of management theory crossing the line of bringing something secular into something that should be sacred? These are the questions that many are currently asking, and is being lively debated in many a pastors' circle.
This will not be an easily arrived at conclusion, and in fact, is probably one that differs from person to person, and from church to church. We'll keep this discussion going, and I'll be bringing several different scenarios to the table for our thought. As always, we will look at how the discussion can build up the body of Christ, rather than creating unnecessary strife, so if you feel compelled to comment, please be considerate of other readers who may have a differing point of view.
When I make use of the word secular, it's typically in the sense that it is not something directly related to a faith or belief issue. Okay, let me explain. The driving of a car is a secular issue. The Bible never refers to a car, nor to any rules governing the driving of a car. From that standpoint, a car is a purely secular thing. It has no correlation whatsoever in the biblical world.
Sacred, on the other hands, carries an implication of something that is set apart for God. A chalice that is set aside for use in the celebration of the Lord's Supper is sacred in the sense that it is set apart for a purpose directly related to a faith action. Because it has been set apart for that, there is a great reluctance to utilize it for something like the church potluck.
These two examples seem pretty self evident. The distinction between sacred and secular in these instances seems pretty cut and dried. But, sadly, things are not always so clear cut. In many churches, trying to figure out a system for organizing an approach to ministry seems to paint a gray area in the secular/sacred discussion. Can a church adopt current secular research to create a system of managing the ministry which is set apart for service to God? Is the use of management theory crossing the line of bringing something secular into something that should be sacred? These are the questions that many are currently asking, and is being lively debated in many a pastors' circle.
This will not be an easily arrived at conclusion, and in fact, is probably one that differs from person to person, and from church to church. We'll keep this discussion going, and I'll be bringing several different scenarios to the table for our thought. As always, we will look at how the discussion can build up the body of Christ, rather than creating unnecessary strife, so if you feel compelled to comment, please be considerate of other readers who may have a differing point of view.
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