Could secularization in the Netherlands be running its course? That's what Joshua Livestro reports in Holland's Post-Secular Future. (Hat tip to Paul Bowman.) Despite recent predictions to the contrary, the future of that country may belong to . . . yes, Christianity! The Rev. Stanley Hofwijks pastors a fast-growing charismatic congregation in Amsterdam. The key to its success? Here's Hofwijks:
"If you look closely, you'll see that only the traditional churches are affected by secularization. Almost all nontraditional churches are growing, and growing strongly. The reason is simple: While the message stays the same, the methods change to suit the times. If people want it, we'll have flags, loud music, people jumping up and down in the pews, even hip-hop. But Jesus remains the same as he was 2,000 years ago. The Word never changes."
Perhaps. But here's another article on the growth of the Orthodox Church in the United States that suggests that not all conversions are fuelled by such an instrumental approach to liturgy: Orthodox appeal: More Americans are being drawn by liturgy, theology. Why?
Many converts credit the beauty of the liturgy and the durability of the theology, which can be a comfort to those seeking shelter from divisive battles over biblical interpretation in other Christian traditions.
[The Rev. John] Dixon, who was raised an Old Regular Baptist, an austere faith of the Southern Appalachians, said his conversion grew from his studies about the origins of Christianity as an undergraduate at Marshall University. The turning point came when he first attended services at an Orthodox church.
"As soon as I came in that day," he says, "I knew I was home."
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