Specialism

I first heard this word used by Gene Edwards in his 1984 book, “Letters to a Devastated Christian”. For those millennials who are rejecting “organized” church, I might recommend it. It’s not that I believe everything Edward’s states (he had his own church wounds he was dealing with), but it’s a perspective that you might want to “chew on”. It seems particularly relevant in a social media age where every grievance, disappointment, and accusation of abuse finds its way instantly in a chat space.

Numbers of you have rejected current church life as old wineskins and old ways due to hurt, offense, or disappointment. That’s understandable I suppose. Who wants to hang around with something that “hurt” them. There are always numbers of things we humans get wrong. History is an illustration of how badly church leaders can miss it. That said, as you create (actually recreate) your “new wineskin”, I would caution you to the concept of “specialism”.

What is “specialism”?

It is generally the idea that nobody has the heart of God or the “word” for this season but you. “We are special”. “We are the only group doing…”. “We are not the only group, but we are the very ‘special’ group in God’s eyes.” Or, “We are the cutting edge of God’s work in this generation”. Or worse, “There is nobody except us who has the truth”. Unfortunately, I have heard these phrases far too many times. Sadly, many who claimed such “special” status, eventually flamed out.

Truth be told, all these phrases and sentiments have been used at some point by Church History’s most famous movements. Who?  Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Quakers, Baptists, Methodists, Moravians, Pentecostals, Charismatics, and nondenominational works ad infinitum. Every movement has at one time or another presented itself as THE movement. Nobody seems to be able to escape this pothole. The “we are it” attitude has a particular drawing power when it comes to resourcing a religious movement…even a Christian one.

Specialism is a branch of sectarianism. Actually a blind spot. It is a clandestine way of justifying one’s territorial spirit rather than a Kingdom generosity. It was what Paul rebuked in I Corinthians 1, as he parrots the specialism that groups are defining and aligning themselves with worker’s names.

Just my observation, but while “specialism” is illustrated all through Church History, it tends to be the sin of the inexperienced and young. They avoid scrutiny of this attitude by saying, “The greatest critique of a new move of God is the last move of God”. That may be somewhat true. Change is never easy for us old folks and it won’t be any easier for those getting older. However, there is something in the human nature that wants to think that what they are receiving from their leaders is an unprecedented revelation. This word that is getting preached is too fresh to be old. There is so much life in this movement that it simply must be “IT”; never realizing that most of what they are getting is borrowed and actually something old.

I fell into this trap (embarrassingly) as a young charismatic. The previous group of which I was a part had so scarred me that I rejected it wholesale. How could anything good reside in something so painful? That simplistic, emotional response set me up for specialism. This new group was so life-giving, so affirming, so cutting-edge, that it had to be “IT”.

After three decades I can say that there were many wonderful aspects of fellowship with this movement, but it wasn’t “IT”. It was simply a “piece” of a tapestry of God’s Spirit which has been working in His Church over centuries. We weren’t the first or the best thing God has ever wrought. We were simply a part.

This verse has become most impactful to me…

Thus says the Lord:

“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Jeremiah 6:16

This may sound strange, but I’m not looking for the “new” move of God anymore. It’s not that I don’t believe that there are groups and works and movements which may indeed be a genuine work of the Spirit in virtually every age. But I no longer believe anyone who says…”This is IT”. In fact, Jeremiah suggests that the “old paths” might actually be IT. But then we might argue as to what is actually “old” (LOL).

My point is this…

You aren’t IT…

Your Church, while perhaps being outstandingly good, is not “IT”.

Your movement, while experiencing unprecedented growth, is not “IT”.

Jesus is the only IT…

And as far as your group, your Church, or your movement…

Stay humble…

As you follow Him.