A statement in Wilsonian's response to the last post..."This is not worth the investment of my life." (read her response) has caused me to think further on the topic...
I think a lot of people are coming to this conclusion, church as they've known/experienced it "is not worth the investment of my life" and I think that's one of the greatest reasons that people care less and less about involvement in church - especially when and if that means just keeping a few programs going for Christians...in the past many did it out of obligation or guilt or just because they thought that was the extent of the Christian life, but it never led to the "abundant" life Jesus promised - so they're giving up. Sometimes unsure if they're right or wrong - often listening to judgement from others who are sure they're wrong. Still, I don't believe these people are giving up on the big "C" church - they're not giving up on Christ - what they long for is the opportunity to invest their lives in something worth investing - something worth dying to, something worth really living for. And when it happens they surrender - wholeheartedly.
One of the funny (actually, not funny at all) things I find lately is the critcism and judgement that goes on from individuals or group of Christians to Christians against any church/church leader that begins to help their congregation get this. The problem, seemingly, is that they either don't cross all their t's or dot their i's the same way so they're sacrificed on the altar of my orthodoxy ('cause after all, I'm right and everyone else is wrong - Oh, I say that's not true, but at the end of the day I can't think of anything that I'm possibly wrong in, therefore I must be right) - we've even learned to criticize, judge, and outright slander nicely - okay some haven't, some just go for the jugular - I don't know which is worst...
All this brings me to a moment in Jesus' life that doesn't get much attention, and I find interesting it's even mentioned, except it's so real to our experience...I remember Jesus' disciples up in arms because there were other people doing ministry in Jesus' name besides them - people who weren't part of their group, people who were probably doing things just a little different than they were...in the disciples eyes, they were the called out ones, they were the ones Jesus invited to follow him, and these other people, whoever they were - they were not in the in group, and that being the case - just had to be stopped.
Jesus' words to them - (here goes my version)
...why don't you just focus on what I've called you to? Why must you be constantly worried about everyone else, including each other, and how their minister? Are you their master? You were called, and they were called, neither is greater than the other...so stop pointing fingers and judging and do what you were called to do.
We're still so worried about how we look, what others think, still so focused on issues of living, but the point remains the same; people that are alive cannot go to the places Jesus said only dead people can follow him to. The places where true life - the abundant life is found.
Posted by edYes, yes!
And it makes me think of Paul(?)'s response when people were complaining that some were taking advantage of his time in prison, and preaching to make a name for themselves. His response... Great- as long as the name of Christ is spread.
The task is so huge... God-sized in fact. How sad that the old joke is proven true too often: the Christian army is the only one where the troops shoot their own.
Thanks for these great posts, Ed!
Posted by: wilsonianIf all of us became concerned for how Christ wants to use us where we are with the giftedness he's given us whether traditional or emerging...if we would all just choose to be faithful and do what he's calling us to and encouraged each other to his calling even and especially when it looks different. Wow!!!! And if we stopped judging others just because they appear successful or because they get book deals..isn't one of the things that is said about Jesus that he found favour among men? How can you have influence if you don't find favour with people. Okay, it doesn't mean a book deal for everyone, but eh, if someone gets one...whatever you do...do it for his glory! It's easy to get proud in these days to spend more time pointing fingers...I pray that as Christians we'd realize that folly and just follow Jesus according to the calling we have received, without pointing fingers to other's calling. At the risk of overusing the statement...May we go where only dead people can go. And once there may we find life to give away.
Posted by: ed