Have you ever set out looking for something not really knowing what you were looking for? I have... I have just begun a journey that may in fact completely revolutionize my thinking when it comes to church...ministry and the body of Christ. Essentially I am beginning to think that much of the church community is simply...well...not.And if you think that I mean that the world's community is somehow a better, more real body well you would be sadly disappointed. Because I have discovered that we (the North American populous) specialized in plastic. Or as my good friend Elan Zamier (who has now left our community for God's) said, "the North American Culture is like McDonalds...it's ok if you eat it fast...but don't let it get cold...because it empty and tasteless when cold."
And somehow we in the church have been so influenced by the world around us that we too have become tasteless and empty. I'm not talking about the age old argument about the young vs the elderly or the new vs the old but rather I'm talking about the real vs the artificial.
I find it everywhere...
...in the adult who does not understand the need for contemporary worship.
...in the young adult who does not see the truth in the older hymn or song.
...in the young person who leaves an assembly because they are not getting what they want and are not willing to listen for the quiet voice of God as he tells them what He wants.
...in the adult who forces Pastors to bend to the will of the dollars that they give, rather than to listen to the spirit of God.
...in the Young person who uses the threat of departure to break bonds of family and friends to get their will.
You see we are so backwards when it comes to the truth of God.
Jesus was willing to sacrifice everything he was to protect the non-negotiable of relationships and we are willing to sacrifice relationships first to protect every structure and meaningless empty thing that we put on our plate and call it Holy. sigh.
Like I said...I've begun asking some questions...that are challenging to say the least. I want relationships that are meaningful...and filled with bone and grissel like a steak...tough to eat and even tougher to stomach...but designed by my creator to make me Strong!
