About 50 years ago, the then rector of All Souls’ Langham Place in London, John Stott, wrote an article called ‘The Conservative Radical’. He highlighted that Anglo-Saxons often ‘polarise’ things, especially the debate between conserving the past and agitating for change. His point is that ‘every Christian should have a foot in both camps.’

Stott wrote that ‘Every Christian should be conservative, because the Church is called by God to conserve his revelation, to guard the deposit (cf. 1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:14).’ But Christians must not focus on conserving our preferred style of expression, including style of church services. A ‘radical’ on the other hand, asks difficult questions and tries to change and reform convention and tradition.

Stott argues that Jesus had a foot in both camps. He did not come to abolish the law and prophets, but to fulfil them (Matt. 5:17-8; Jn. 10:35). But Jesus was also radical in his criticism of the Jewish establishment, sweeping away centuries of inherited tradition to renew and restore God’s people. Thus, Jesus was conservative towards Scripture but radical in how to express the faith.
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Another Christian author, Jaroslav Pelikan, wrote that ‘Tradition is the living faith of the dead; while traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.’ It is imperative for us, today at All Souls, to pass on the living faith of the Scriptures – being conservative in how we treasure the good news – yet willing to be radical and in how we express this living faith. Let’s work together to be both traditional and radical for Christ and his kingdom!

 
Thom Rainer published this during the week …
Baby Boomers Are Returning to Church
The rebellious generation may become the religious generation.
Baby boomers, those born between the years 1946 to 1964, are becoming more involved in church.
One of the most significant longitudinal studies (a study over many years) ever done provides a treasure trove of information for church leaders.
This discovery is the major finding from the latest wave of data collected from the Longitudinal Study of Generations, which was originally developed in 1970 at USC by then-assistant professor Vern Bengston. His successors have collected a ninth round of data in this 45-year study. The research was funded by the John Templeton Foundation.
Here is the gem in the study: One in five boomers have increased their religious and church activity in the past few years.
Don’t take that statement lightly. Among the boomer generation, 20 percent are becoming more receptive to faith and church. That’s approximately 19 million boomers when the percentage is applied to the entire generation.
The study cited three major reasons for this shift:
1    Boomers have more time, and they want to use that extra time pursuing a more meaningful life, including church.
2    Boomers are becoming more aware of the brevity of life and are seeking answers to questions they had not previously asked.
3    Boomers are more aware of the fragility of life. They don’t have the young and healthy bodies they once had. Such an awareness is driving them to find more meaning in the lives they do have.
Be ready to welcome them at All Souls.