ok... so as I posted in a previous blog, I am having a really hard time with the church today. Ok, to not sound completely pompous, I am having a really hard time with my church today. I have been reading the book blue like jazz by donald miller. ( good one... check it out if u havnt already... and thanks Angela for buying it for me) and while I have been reading there are some things that have really stuck out to me. chapter 12 for instance is titled :
Church: How to Go Without Getting Angry
what a chapter to read. I go to church and that is what seems to happen. I get angry. Angry at the politics the lack of enthusiasm, the lack of passion, love, and wholeness as a community and body of Christ. Let me start here with a few questions I asked myself.
• How does God reach different people through different churches?
• How important is it to God that we, as the church, be united, like a family?
These questions really made me focus on what is happening. Perhaps my church is reaching at least one person in there, and yea God for that. Perhaps those who like the structure of skipping things when the time is almost up, or those who enjoy the sermons on money are being reached. Sorry bout the sarcasm. I am yet a bit emotional.
2. if we look at ephesians, we can find the answer for question 2. It tells us straight up in ephesians 1:11 it says ,"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." (NIV) and it goes on in later chapters to speak of the unified church.
in a recent bulletein at my church on the list of concerns for the next board meeting was this issue - how do we deal with people arriving late to service?
seriously...is this the most important issue in the church today? I say...late or on time... people are coming... shouldnt that be worth rejoicing?! arent there more important things to be worrying about rather than the new carpet being stained, or the white garb being washed, or the candles being refilled with oil. there are people dying without ever knowing God and people in my church are worried about who is showing up on time?!
I live in Glen ellyn. It is in the middle of dupage county, which is in the top 5 richest counties in the nation, and is the richest county in the state of illinois. and what are the hundreds of churches in the county, 2 of which made the church reports top 50 most influential churches in america. and you know what I see? I see homelessness being pushed under the rug, I see battered children, imigrants who cant speak english, special needs kids with no church who can facilitate to their needs, elderly who have no ride to church.... and the list goes on. is this what the church is to look like? NO! the church is not to be an organization, but rather a family. all these different denominations, why? we all have the same base beliefs, why cant we all band togther and do something bigger? we arent to be battling over the kids in the area for sunday school or youth groups, but rather working together to give the support to the community that is needed. Church isnt a place, at least it shouldnt be, church should be a lifestyle, a way of being the body for others around us.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
holy heartburn!
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8 comments:
Amen, Chrissy!
The one problem with the church:
The people in attendance were all sinners before coming to Christ, and most haven't quite gotten down the whole "sinning no longer" bit... We are crucified with Christ and resurrected again with Him- so it is no longer us who live, but Christ who lives within us. -Christ Jesus: God, does not sin, and so neither should we. It's not just a matter of should/shouldn't- it's a matter of our new self- our new moral, social, and just self. We are the children of God, and we are divinely and seriously called to be holy and pure as our Father in Heaven.
Unfortunately, many do not take this calling as serious and altogether awe-ful.
But, Chrissy, this is a tough line to walk, because though we are supposed to keep each other in account- we are also never to judge- for that is our Lord's job... The key between keeping accountable and judging (a thin line between the two) is whether it is done out of Love, done in Love, and done with Love... As is says in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3(not exact quote, I don't have my bible with me) "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, I am nothing. If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries, and have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging symbol. If I give all my possessions to the poor, and have not love, I gain nothing..." you know the rest: love is patient, love is kind. it does not envy, it does not boast; it is not proud. it is not easily angered... it rejoices in the truth.
So, Chrissy, I agree with what you're saying wholeheartedly, but a question I must ask myself (and so I also ask you)... are you doing this in love?
(Mary Rodriguez)
mary...
thank you for your response... and explanation. I really appreciate it. I agree with everything you said. and in response to your question you asked me, I would say yes, I am doing this in love. because I see this church seemingly falling apart really, or at least from the view of what the church was meant to do as a body, because granted this church is a great politics place, and organization, but when it comes to love, its not there. the love is not enconditional in this place, but rather judgmental, and conditional. I see the thin line you are speaking of, and I do not mean to tread on the wrong side. I merely am speaking what I see and how it is affecting the community around it... or really the lack of effect on the community around it. I do this out of love yes, because I want so deeply for the church mine here at home, and the church as a whole to realize the power behind the words body of christ, and church. I want to as a part of that body be more fully educated, and able also. I by no means am saying i am perfect or only see the bads in the church today, but I do see some problems with the church today, and I feel this is the time, the generation which would be able to really stand up and make some noise about it. does this make sense?
Good, I am glad. :) I was only asking, because this is an issue that I personally have struggled much with.
And yes. I completely understand, and agree, that as children of God, we are called to live and the change the world in which we live... by living for, serving, and loving the Lord, we also live for, serve and love others... leading to a more socially just and right society. - which is definitely pleasing to the Lord, and indeed, what He commands (as seen throughout Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy).
One more caution (and I only mention it, because it is a Huge pet peeve of mine, and something that really hits home for me, because I used to say it all the time)- (and it could just be an issue of the way you worded it for me):
Though I agree that often in this society that young people are the voice of change, I really don't like it when young people devalue the elders in our society, especially in our church at all (I mean old people, not just those on the special committee :)
I believe that there is SO much to learn from those who have been walking with our Lord for their entire lives, or at least a heck of a lot longer than us. Those who have remained faithful and who have experienced the faithfulness of the Lord throughout Life's rollercoasters and crashes.
I used to be one of those young people who said it's all about This generation, because those old people are all dried up and not in touch with the Holy Spirit anymore... God couldn't use them anymore, so He picked us young-uns to take the lead now, and move!
-Yes, God can use the young people to change the current of the old.
But I am so blessed to know many amazing older men and women, who serve the Lord with an Amazing power, who pray with the Spirit in an incredible way, who utilize all they have learned in life to live as they do now- aiding others in their walks as well as the oppressed in our world, and who have such love, as I have never before seen or experienced... love that is unconditional, as our Lord's, for they have learned through years of the Lord what it truly means.
I have SOOO much to learn from those Christians -those followers of Christ Jesus our Lord.
And so, I hate it when young people today so quickly pass by the older people. (as I once did)
like I said before, I don't know if you meant it like that, it could just be an issue of wording, but I am quite adamant about this issue, for indeed, like you said, the church must be UNIFIED- together, the young and the old, not just the young, and also, not just the old, but together we the church must love and serve... for this is glorifying to our Lord.
oh yeah... I def. agree with you. I know plenty of older people in the church whom I admire and look to. I didnt mean it as the young are the only ones, I meant it as more of a the young are the ones who seemingly are able to see the new and the now and seem to be more able to be willing to change and really have little fear on taking risks. does that make sense? i guess its really hard to get the gist of it over a blog. but I understand and accept that young and old need to unite together... for the old were once young, and the young will soon be old. we are the church ALL of us. and we need to find a better balance to structure the needs of the community around us to the best of our abilities.
Hello, my sister! I am sitting here crying as I read this...think back to our life at NPU this last year...us being family together, loving eachother, caring for eachother in whatever ways we could. We are family. This is the church, Chrissy! THe church is a group of people who are in love with Jesus, and because of that, they are in love with eachother. Christ is the head. THere is no one pastor figure, there is no program, no events, no specific building that is ever called anything other than a building. The church is about every day living for Jesus....being found in Christ, and loving eachother!
This summer, I am reading some books on the very subject. My dad gave them to me, and Eric and I have both devored them! (Meetings in His Kingdom, and Back to the Basics)They are not boring in the least...not theology, not anything like that. Just simple truths about what the church was purposed for...a family of people, with Christ as the Head, who love eachother and reach out in love to everyone they come in contact with. It's a daily lifestyle. And it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the meetings that so many people call "Worship services". It's not about that at all. It's about loving Jesus and loving eachother in our daily lives. Chrissy, it's about you loving your sister. I'm dead serious. If we can't love eachother, how can we even claim to love Jesus? And yet, you will find that when you have fallen in love with Jesus, loving others falls into place easily...because you are so in love with the Creator and keeper of your heart that the overflow of that love is simply overwhelming!
The real true church life is not about the meetings. It's about a group of people who love Jesus desperately...that come together and choose to walk through life with eachother. This is what Christ has called us to. Family. Where he ALONE is the Head!
However, the Lord has been teaching me something else this summer. About loving EVERYONE that calls themselves Christians. Even if I dont agree with being in a denomination, and having a pastor figure as boss and living by the program. It makes me angry. It makes me angry to know that so much sin has entered the church. But that is not for me to judge. All the Lord calls us to do is to love. And if there are brothers and sisters in a denomination, I can't tell them to get out because its wrong. But I can encourage them to love Jesus and eachother where they are at...and learn to be the church with the people they are already meeting with. When you choose to live like Jesus, loving the sick, the poor, and the sister who is hard to love, lives will be changed. People will fall on their faces in repentance. They will find new life! Chrissy, I implore you, LOVE JESUS with EVERYTHING you have and EVERYTHING you are!!! Love him, and love your brothers and sisters ...whether they are in the church, or whether they are at home in your very same house.
I love you.
Oh, and when I get back to Chicago, those books will be in your hands... its amazing to me how the Lord works!
Jesus, I love you!
Oh yeah, I know what you mean, Chrissy. And, by the way, I got way off topic in my second reply, but I really do totally agree with you. I guess I just more wanted to say that point about the young and old, for there really is no other opportunity to do so.
Anyway, thank you for your thoughts, I am excited to see how you live them out throughout your life! (and even this year. :)
Woo!! I will see you in a few weeks!
I know I am a month late on this entry....but I don´t care. I just hope you get this.
I have been reading MEETINGS IN HIS KINGDOM along with Beth and Eric, and have been really thinking about how we can put these realities into practice when we get back to school...that precious place the Lord has given us to grow in. College really is a process of growth, and for us, it is a process of coming to know and Love Jesus with all we are.
I am blessed that we are in community togther. May your anger be righteous, and may it always drive you to the Word of God, that you would simply delight yourself in the Lord´s presence, and let that overflow into loving interactions with others.
I love you
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