The pastor of the Hope Center, an urban ministry with which I’ve done some volunteer work, posted this interesting video on my Facebook wall. I absolutely love the creativity of the visual arts work here, and the “performance art” aspect of the piece. The artist’s commentary is interesting: “the fatherless generation has brought about the shepherdless generation.” I’m not sure I totally understand or agree with the intent of that statement. Urban churches such as the Hope Center, in my experience, tend towards a Pentecostal style of theology that emphasizes the moral and spiritual apostasy of the institutional Church. Some of this critique is drawn from dispensationalist teachings about the “true” church in the end times. Unfortunately, this can lead to an anti-intellectual and insular form of Christianity, which overlooks the many good things God is doing in denominational and other churches. And having grown up in relatively wealthy suburban evangelical churches, I’ve been blessed with many excellent shepherds, so it’s a bit hard for me to relate to the urban context. Nevertheless, I think there’s truth here that we all need to hear.
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5 replies on “State of the Bride”
Whereas I totally agree with your observation regarding the public’s general impression of “Pentecostals” as a whole, it does not reflect the mindset of Hope Center Arts. On the contrary, we encourage Christians to abandon their insular state of religious complacency and boldly enter the public square with their hearts, minds, and talents. We wholeheartedly believe in stimulating observers to think out their belief systems in light of God’s word and come to their own conclusions regarding their personal salvation experience and the degree of holiness evident or lacking in their lives. We are neither anti-intellectual, nor anti-denominational. We are however, like both Ezekiel and Isaiah, willing to use the arts to help bring a message that was seen as offensive even when delivered by our savior himself. I do appreciate your thoughts and would love to share a latte some time.
Hey brother, thanks for the comment. I appreciate your ministry and I’m glad I sometimes have the opportunity to serve on the Bus.
Hi David, this is Leigh Piatt-Gonzalez the President of Hope Center Arts. The Hope Center you are familiar with that has the bus ministry, is run by the Galloways. We are Hope Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, we are not connected to the Galloways. Hopefully you can come by and visit with us in Jersey City Heights. We would love to show you around our new facility.
Thanks — well, you can never have enough hope! Thanks for posting.
My husband is the one who posted the previous comment.