Here is some difficult, but strangely encouraging, truth:

"As Christians are in the banal situations of ordinary life, of the global mediocrity of society, of everyday problems of no great interest, of constant diversion, faith burns low, makes no great responses, expresses nothing, produces no exemplary conduct. The banal and the everyday are the worst destroyers, because they express tepidity. Nevertheless, among 'sociological Christians' there still remains an element of truth, the smoking flax that is not quenched (Isaiah), little faith that still persists (Revelation). Hence when the moment of decision comes, the moment of the back to the wall, of radical proof, of the tempest, then there is always the possibility that the wick will flare up and set the whole alight again, just as there is the possibility that it will go out altogether. I would say that traditional and superstitious believers can give birth all at once to confessors of the faith, to martyrs, to people who know that in a crisis Christians may be summoned to be such in the full sense."

(Ellul, "The Subversion of Christianity", p.205)

Lord, bring us more and more to the moments of decision. Re-ignite the flame of your life in our lives.

But beware before praying that prayer. Do not ask lightly to be burned. The banal and the everyday, the constant diversion - this is comfortable. This is nice. This is manageable.

The back against the wall, the radical proof, the tempest - pretty much the definition of uncomfortable. Not nice. Unmanageable.

I think this is why where and how we choose to live is not really spiritually neutral. One of the 12 marks of New Monasticism is the "relocation to the abandoned places of the empire", not just because this is good missional ground, but because these are liminal places where moments of decision abound, and are obvious. Moments of decision abound everywhere, of course, but are much easier to disguise or ignore when you are surrounded by a pervasive and shallow culture of distraction, consumerism, and comfort.

The modern, comfortable Church imagines that the norm should be living in "regular" neighbourhoods, and only those with a special and heroic calling should think about heading to "irregular" mission grounds. I believe the opposite is true. Discipleship and fellowship should most normally be happening in neglected places, in "despised" neighbourhoods, in tempestuous environments. Because these are the best places to encounter and receive the Kingdom of God, and be grown and nurtured in the true and radical confession of faith. Then, those who are specially called and carefully discipled can go out to the wildernesses - to the suburbs, the malls, the gated communities - where they can sound a wake-up call to those who are sleeping.

If you are looking for this kind of fiery discipleship, consider a year at the War College.

www.thewarcollege.com