Thursday, January 26, 2012

An ongoing journey.

Those of you who have read my blog in the past will know that I spent a lot of time attempting something approaching an allegory. The main thrust of that attempt was a journey through various ‘spiritual’ experiences and, I suppose, living parables. Whether I was successful in my quest is a discussion for another day.

Right now I want to share another journey with you. One that I have barely begun but have covered quite a bit of ground already. Just a quick piece of personal background. I have been in the so-called full-time ministry since December 1992. In that time I have pastored and fulfilled, hopefully, the role of a teacher (Bible teacher, that is, not those heroes and heroines who go to schools each day). I have studied at seminary and hold two degrees, one post-graduate. I lecture in college and travel quite a bit. I have written a few unpublished books which have proven helpful in one or two contexts.

Throughout this period, with growing intensity, I have felt somewhat concerned at how the average Christian group ‘does church’. Like many, as I am sure I am not alone, I have been concerned at the largely ineffective presence of churches in various communities where I have had the privilege to travel, work and minister. On the whole, and this is my personal opinion formed from my own observations, church is little more than a gathering of like-minded people to be entertained by musicians and singers of varying talents, or lack thereof, and then be spoken to, lectured, or preached at by what appears to be a specialist. Every now and again the doors to these gatherings open to release a minority of ‘insiders’ out into the world to reach out with whatever message is received behind those doors.

Please do not misunderstand me, many churches and Christian groupings around the world do marvelous work among the poor, and the disenfranchised. I honour them for their self-sacrifice and open-heartedness. But, do we really witness change on a Book of Acts level? I mean, do the young people of our city streets, for instance, really get attracted by the message they are hearing, or are they put off by the threat, intended or otherwise, of having to give things up, lose their friends, follow a particular set of rules pertaining to dress, music, and the like? Do suburban families who work hard and often with long hours really feel the need for what their local churches offer?

Why not start right there? What does the average local church offer? Now, you and I really need to be honest here, it will not be easy or palatable, but we must be courageous and face the facts head on. The average local church, of whatever ilk, has one primary activity: Meetings. More than likely the principle gathering will be a so-called Sunday morning service. This will comprise of some singing led by a ‘worship leader’, followed by an appeal for money, i.e. the offering, followed by the sermon, followed by some announcements concerning some more meetings. Is that really the best we can do?

You may argue that my description above is painted with a rather broad brush. That may be so, but is any Evangelical church, be it Charismatic, Pentecostal, hybrid, or otherwise really any different in its approach? Come on, be honest now. The format is pretty universal and, dare I say it, predictable.

At this point, please allow me to remind you that all of this is part of my journey. As such, I have many more questions than answers. What I am writing constitutes my questions; how I would love some answers.

Let me pose the principle question: Is church as we practice it in the western world (I have not traveled to the Middle East or Asia ... yet) really what Jesus had in mind when He spoke of “life more abundantly”? Okay, I can hear you. I know we are not supposed to just focus on the meetings as they only constitute a very small part of our lives. However, church is what the world equates with Christianity.

Where I find myself right now, I would say the following traits would more closely approximate God’s intentions: 1) Church should not be about tasking together, but about relating to each other, i.e. all who come regardless of need, belief, position, potential, etc. 2) Church should be a place where an environment is facilitated where people feel loved and secure. 3) Church is a tool to facilitate our lives together in relationship with each other and Jesus Christ.

After all is Christianity, first and foremost, God’s invitation for us to enter His reality? Now surely such cannot be ‘achieved’ with predictable formats, humanly led and dominated programmes which can only happen on certain days and times?

There is a place for group Bible study, no doubt about that. Corporate times of prayer, well there can be no debate there, can there? Times of rejoicing in song? Bring it on. However, each of these things are not an end in themselves, they are merely component parts of a greater whole.

That greater whole is the life I live beyond Sundays. The life with the not yet Christians with whom I work, study, play, and live. What I live out in that primary arena is what will attract, or put off, men and women towards the reality of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Please note, I did not say attract them to church.

Let me make my position clear on this point. I attend a gathering of Christians because I do have a relationship with Jesus Christ and I do like to be among people who love Him and are loved by Him (as everyone is). However, this getting together does not define my walk with God. Jesus Christ does.

I have a lot more to say on this subject but to go on would only put off those who have been mad enough to still be reading this far and I do not want to lose them as well.

So, let’s talk about this ...