Its time to start a new way. I'm uncertain how to start, but I have to do it. Its been so long that I've been stuck. I don't know anybody. How will I meet them, my peers? I feel like I'm going to kindergarten for the first time. Who should I speak to first? If you are reading this and you are one of my peers and you are wondering how to be faithful to Jesus without being trapped in something called 'church' that hardly resembles the kingdom of God Jesus had in mind, pleae respond to me. I want to invite you to a conversation about things that matter, which may lead to some new thoughts, feelings, or passions. It may lead to a new understanding of God, yourself, your neighbor, the world, your small and important part in making it better. If it doesn't lead there, then its not worth doing.
In two weeks, we begin a season called Advent, which precedes Christmas. It is a four-week time of preparation for the end of the world as we know it. Four-weeks may not seem like much given that trajectory, but it is what we have. I would like to get together during that time. How about Sunday nights at 6:04?
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Dear Church and other issues
I've been at a conference with a couple of peers for three days. I picked up a pile of new books and three of the dvds from the nooma series--a series of short films that deal with faith in Jesus. I'm reading a collection of books right now that I would like to call writings for the new reformation. The church must be reformed in postmodernity by faithful followers of Jesus who are tired of the church as it is; and tired of the culture as it is. Diagnosticians have been examining the body of the church for decades to determine where exactly the heart beat is and is not audible anymore. What is clear is that liberal mainline churches' vital signs had weakened. Many of those churches are on life support, barely breathing, hoping against hope to survive a little longer. But its terminal.
The evangelical megachurches appear vital and alive, but they have the same disease that eventaully weakened the mainliners. That disease is called 3P: POWER, privilege, prestige. When churches drink from that cup, the end is only a matter of time. Mostly because this disease first effects the hearing. And once the hearing goes, the church cannot receive the Word of God. Once that happens, the vision is next---the church loses sight of its teacher, its Lord, and the direction he travels. People begin to follow the bright lights, the flashy noise, the guy with the best smile, who can put a positive spin on anything. We fall back on our default mode of existence-ignorance, entertainment, and comfort. Things like service, mission, the cross, suffering, are forgotten. What we're fed is the poision of self-justification---we have what we have because we are special, blessed people of God. Forget the poor, the oppressed, the last, lost, and least. And reject those who reject you, too.
Soon, the church is so curved inward in attempts to keep the messiness of life out, that there is no air left.
So, the megachurch is really just the new mainline. 50 years ago mainline protestants were at the top of the religious food chain. Now, we are not. And the evangelical fundamentalists are. Funny how we are duped into thinking that the one with the most toys wins. The one with the most power, prestige, and privilege is the best. How wrong we are!
So, here I am. And I am not concerned about church attendance or membership. I am concerned about following Jesus and helping others to do so. The good news is that a big dose of humility can often heal the disease of 3ps. Since we've had that dose, I suspect that means we're on the road to healing as a body. But we have to be ready to reject the 3ps and listen for the voice of GOd. Being ready is called faith. I know we have that. Its a gift, not unlike humility. When you need it something happens to give it to you. In our case, loss, weakness, diminshment, fear, rejection, and the like have been the recipe for humility. We have been humbled so that we can arise, emerge, evolve.
I am hopeful in this moment. And right now I am ready to lead the mainline revolution. Taking the lessons of history, good and bad, into the present day we are able to see a clearer future.
Why don't we just ask ourselves these questions: Are we willing to experience humility and loss as a gift? Are we willing to die in order to live? Are we willing to seek the truth, when it hurts? Are we willing to follow where He is leading us, especially when we know it will NOT include the 3Ps that we love so much. (As much as one can love a disease of the heart).
The evangelical megachurches appear vital and alive, but they have the same disease that eventaully weakened the mainliners. That disease is called 3P: POWER, privilege, prestige. When churches drink from that cup, the end is only a matter of time. Mostly because this disease first effects the hearing. And once the hearing goes, the church cannot receive the Word of God. Once that happens, the vision is next---the church loses sight of its teacher, its Lord, and the direction he travels. People begin to follow the bright lights, the flashy noise, the guy with the best smile, who can put a positive spin on anything. We fall back on our default mode of existence-ignorance, entertainment, and comfort. Things like service, mission, the cross, suffering, are forgotten. What we're fed is the poision of self-justification---we have what we have because we are special, blessed people of God. Forget the poor, the oppressed, the last, lost, and least. And reject those who reject you, too.
Soon, the church is so curved inward in attempts to keep the messiness of life out, that there is no air left.
So, the megachurch is really just the new mainline. 50 years ago mainline protestants were at the top of the religious food chain. Now, we are not. And the evangelical fundamentalists are. Funny how we are duped into thinking that the one with the most toys wins. The one with the most power, prestige, and privilege is the best. How wrong we are!
So, here I am. And I am not concerned about church attendance or membership. I am concerned about following Jesus and helping others to do so. The good news is that a big dose of humility can often heal the disease of 3ps. Since we've had that dose, I suspect that means we're on the road to healing as a body. But we have to be ready to reject the 3ps and listen for the voice of GOd. Being ready is called faith. I know we have that. Its a gift, not unlike humility. When you need it something happens to give it to you. In our case, loss, weakness, diminshment, fear, rejection, and the like have been the recipe for humility. We have been humbled so that we can arise, emerge, evolve.
I am hopeful in this moment. And right now I am ready to lead the mainline revolution. Taking the lessons of history, good and bad, into the present day we are able to see a clearer future.
Why don't we just ask ourselves these questions: Are we willing to experience humility and loss as a gift? Are we willing to die in order to live? Are we willing to seek the truth, when it hurts? Are we willing to follow where He is leading us, especially when we know it will NOT include the 3Ps that we love so much. (As much as one can love a disease of the heart).
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