This is a continuation of a discussion that has started on my xanga, but then my xanga's not supposed to be serious in nature... (at least that's how i wanted it...) so i'm moving it to my blog.

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That's a good point, chongson. This is why diversity in a church is so important- Where it is not ugly patriotism, in which you become proud of the ideas you represent, or a melting pot, where you try to hide the ideas you have. There is a balance between them. What does this have to do with modalities and sodalities?

Ugly Patriotism:
I believe these are two facets of what the church's role is, and for too long those roles have become decompartmentalized, and seperated. Eventually, churches begin to center around one of those facets individually. There needs to be a shift in mentality in which both sides are important in the role of the church. There needs to be a holistic view of the church.

Melting pot:
There's also the other end that chongson pointed out in which those two roles have been so collapsed with eachother, that they are no longer distinct. That is, they no longer work to the fullest that they can because both roles have lost their identities. Both roles of the church need to remain distinct in order for them to work to their fullest potential, but then always keeping in mind that they need eachother.

This is the core of an idea i've been working through... i've called it the synergistic gospel... sounds really complicated. From what i hear, people have already started writing about the same idea, like some book called "the empowered evangelical". I would get into it... but i need to draw stuff to show what i mean... and i only know how to use paint. Some of you have probably heard me rant about this... but if you haven't, maybe ask me sometime, and we'll talk it over lunch :). Or maybe i'll stop being lazy and post it.