I think the mission of the church in our culture is much like that of the embedded reporters. To effectively report the war, the reporters had to be up close and involved war and troops. Yet they had to resist the urge to try and be a hero like the actual combat solider.

Let's be honest. There is a constant tug or pull from our culture to be conformed to it. It works like gravity. Ever constant, never waning, always there. There is no escaping culture. Many a religious groups (i.e monasticism movement or fundamentalism philosophy) have tried to distant or separate themselves from various cultural influences only to discover that in the long run, it is a handicap to the Great Commission. 

Then again the scriptures are full of warnings about becoming too deeply involved with the "trappings" of this world. We are admonish that though we live in this world (cultures) we are to be careful not to engage in cultural practices that would diminish our witness for Christ and compromise our personal faith. Pastor Bill in his sermon hit a home run on this point. Living in this world and yet engaging in the culture in relationships, religion, and reason from a Christian perspective is not easy.

Certainly the bible is clear that separation does not mean exclusion or extraction. What is clear is that God want to redeem culture through the gospel. The church in the "embedded" seed that God uses to effect change in culture. Churches cannot stand apart from society and invite people to come to them on their terms. Rather, the church must go to the people where they are and communicate in terms that will make sense to them because it addresses the issues that shape their lives and it speak their language. As messengers of the gospel we are called to immerse ourselves in the host culture, rather than endeavoring to extract those who respond from their own culture. In other words, the church itself must become the seeker, following the example of the its Lord who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:11).  This is the direction our church is committed towards in fulfilling the great commission.

Let us remember that everyone is worthy of God's salvation. Let us continue to develop relationships with those outside the church. God did not call us to separate ourselves, but be agents the gospel in this world as it is. The change will come from inside-out. Holler back with your thoughts.