In recent days, there has been a rise in rhetoric.  The use of the phrase “Gospel-Centered” has become ubiquitous.  People are arguing for Gospel-Centered Discipleship, Gospel-Centered Preaching, Gospel-Centered Evangelism, Gospel-Centered Children’s Ministry, Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry, etc.  On the surface, it is hard to argue against the use of the phrase.

The challenge I would make to this phenomena is not necessarily against the desire to be Gospel-Centered (although I think it is fair to ask: Should we be Gospel-Centered or Christ-Centered?  Have we lifted the message over the Messiah?) but I would challenge what one means by Gospel-Centered. If one believes that the Gospel is simply the message of reconciliation between God and the individual through Christ (in essence: an individual transaction of salvation paid for by the death of Christ) and nothing more, this means something very different than if one believes that the Gospel is the message of reconciliation of all things (Colossians 1:20) through Christ: between God and humanity, between humanity and humanity (reconciliation, justice, and compassion), and between humanity and creation (creation care).

If we simply understand the Gospel as a transaction between God and the individual, we have only understood the Gospel in one dimension and, in doing so, conveniently commodified it for a consumerist culture.  This is analogous to seeing the physical world around us through only one dimension (length), void of width or height.  By adding two more dimensions, we see breadth and depth of the world around us.  The same is true with the full Gospel message and, thus, the embrace of the full dimension of God’s love (Ephesians 3).

The church is called to proclaim the gospel not simply in its words, offering something for people to consume but also through its actions and communal presence.  The Church, as the people of God, are called to be a city on a hill, living in God’s Kingdom expressed through forgiveness, peace, justice, compassion, etc for the entire world.  The Church doesn’t simply have a mission, the Church is called to embody mission by its very existence, presence, and activities because its very existence is an invitation of reconciliation.  In an individualistic consumerist culture, this is extremely counter-cultural, explaining why the church’s role is so difficult but also why it is so important.

Thus, I would argue that the church can only be Gospel-Centered if it embodies and proclaims the message of reconciliation of all things through Christ; thus, is active in sharing how one’s reconciliation with God is only possible through Christ, is active in carrying for our planet, is involved in reconciliation ministries, is pursuing justice and compassion, is caring for the whole person, etc.  If the church is not doing these, pursuing these, etc., is it truly Gospel-Centered?  If the church simply communicates a one dimensional message of individual salvation (individual reconciliation with God) it is simply not communicating the whole gospel.

Echoing the mission of the Lausanne Movement the call of the church is for: The whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world.

There is a phenomenon known as Geomagnetic Reversal (you can read more about it here).  In this natural and ongoing phenomenon, the earth’s polarity is reversed every several hundred thousands years.  Although there are scientific disagreements as to the effectual magnitude of these reversals, there is no question that it has effects.   Whatever the specific case and effects of Geomagnetic Reversal, it is a naturally occurring phenomenon that takes something we rely upon for navigation and direction, and reverses it.

I would like to suggest that we are on the verge of a polarity reversal in the global Church as we face a massive shift in the power and density of the Christian witness.  Over the last several hundred years, the Church was been strongest in the West and the West has been, largely, the leader of global mission (in good and bad ways) for the spreading of the Gospel to Asia, Africa, etc. This polarity is now rapidly reversing.

As the Church in the West faces the reality of post-Christendom in our post-colonial and post-modern world, it must face its future and its future will look radically different than its past.  As the western church moves into its future, the quality it will need most is humility.  For the sake of the Gospel, it must be willing to ask and accept help.  As long time help givers, resource providers and power holders, this will be incredibly difficult.

The Christian world is shifting and the global shape of Christianity is reversing polarity.  Just as it does in nature, this shift will occur over time and will involve confusion as old paradigms breakdown and effectiveness of current models wane.  In the midst of the shifting, will the western church be willing to, in humility, accept help from other parts of the world?  Will it be willing to have groups from Latin America or Africa come and do Vacation Bible Schools (Children’s ministries) for us, help with Church renovation projects that need to be done but can’t for lack of resources, host groups to do evangelism in our communities, etc.  Basically, will it be willing to reverse our view of missions and accept help from others with the same enthusiasm as it has given it in the past.

The fact is, the poles are shifting, it is undeniably happening; ignorance is not bliss, nor is arrogance acceptable.  The question we must ask ourselves is: As we move through this polar reversal in the church, will we be able to, in humility, accept help as willingly as we have offered it?

I am not sure how I will enter this new emerging, reverse polarity world, but I hope I enter it full of humility and fully ready to engage with what God is doing and wants to do in our Global world.

Will we, in humility, open the door to those whose feet are beautiful with the Good News (Isaiah 52:7)?  Or, will we close the door in arrogance and pride?  I hope and pray, we will be willing do the former and be a global Church filled with beautiful feet!