One such person is Philipp J. Spener, from the German Lutheran Church in the late 1600s. During a time when preaching was boring and focused on obscure theological details and often failed to inspire anyone in their faith, Spener described and lived out six principles that captured the imaginations of people and led to active evangelical communities of believers. To this day, we benefit from his ideas, which continue to be evident in modern American churches.
Spener's Ideas:
1. There needs to be more extensive use of the Word of God among believers. We need to know the Word, speak the Word, pray the Word, encourage with the Word, love the Word, live out the Word. The Bible must be the chief means by which each of us is continually reformed. Spener advocated using small groups that meet weekly in homes for Bible study and discussion of how to apply Scripture to their lives, along with prayer for one another. This was a radical idea at the time.
2. There must be a renewal of the "spiritual priesthood." In other words, lay people in the church must understand that they are called to minister and actively live out their faith just like the trained professional pastors. There cannot be some Christians who minister and others who simply observe. We must all be involved.
3. Christian faith must be expressed in authentic practice. Christianity cannot be simply mental assent to certain truths. The truth must be lived out and become real in our lives so that other people can observe what God is doing.
4. There should be restraint and charity in religious controversies - at least in the non-essentials. Certainly, we cannot compromise the essentials of our faith, but we all must recognize that there is room on the periphery for disagreement and we should be as united as possible in our core beliefs. We should love and pray for those opposed to us and maintain a spirit of grace and moderation in our speech.
5. Church pastors must be well educated. Their training should cover personal piety and devotion - training of the heart and spirit - not just the mind. Pastors should lead convincingly by example as well as by their words.
6. Ministers should preach edifying sermons, understandable to common people, rather than technical discourses. Ministers must preach as shepherds overseeing the flock, not as academics in an ivory tower.
These principles, from the late 1600s continue to inspire me today. May I model these principles in my life and ministry!