Emerging Conservative

I am hesitant to start writing this post. Not because I am leary of what people will think of it. That’s no real concern at all. Those who will take issue with it, will take issue with most anything I write. Those who enjoy ignoring the heart of a post and try to find one sentence here or one sentence there and pick a fight with it will do so no matter what I write. Then there will be those who love what I have to say as if it is something new and fresh when really I am just one of many who feel this way. No, the reason I am hesitant has to do with my concern of not representing my feelings as clearly as I think they should be. I’m a babbler which is challenge number one. Also, this is a vital issue that has many levels. These two concerns are  a recipe for disaster but I want to give it a shot anyways.

The Church (capital C) is the body of Christ. In modern day America, it’s had a disease. I highly doubt that anyone is going to argue against that part. Where the controversy comes into play is what different people diagnose the illness to be. For some, we have gotten away from that old time religion. For others, we are holding onto past traditions that have no Biblical basis and holding onto them as idols. There are many vocal champions that will say it is because the church cares to much about theology and judgment. Still others, think it’s a watering down of truth to be all mushy in a version of love that negates accountability. Everyone who has an opinion of what church should look like will say the problem is those in the body who do not see things as they do. It’s a non ending cycle that keeps the vocal Christians debating, the quiet ones hiding in their pews once a week, and those who don’t know Jesus from seeing any reason to want to get into the middle of the whole mess.

I don’t want to tell you what I think the church should look like. I want to focus on some key Scripurtures that I think that, for the most part the church is dropping the ball in that leads to good people rejecting Christ. It’s not Him (Christ), it’s us.

For instance, the Great Commission…..

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28: 16-20 (NIV)

I would have to assume that the last words Jesus decided to say to His friends, his followers before He ascended back into Heaven would be something He is quite passionate about. I also believe these words are ones that any church would say they are passionate about as well. Then why do we fail so miserably as a whole? Did you know the average Christian will not lead one person to Christ according to the stats in their lifetime? Even when they do, many believe that once someone does come to the Lord by….

“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

…then that’s all that matters?

I remember a good buddy of mine accepted Christ as Leader and Forgiver in his life on a retreat we were on. He’s one of the neatest people I have ever know. At the same time, when he came to this decision in his life, he was into some serious habits in his life that were not good for him. When I was talking to someone from our church at the time, I said it was great that he accepted Christ but that he would need a lot of support from us in the path he choose. The other person said “Oh, well. At least he’s going to go to heaven now.”

The Great Commission does not say to get people to the point of having a “Get out of Hell Free Card” and that’s it. We are called to lead others to and to grow ourselves into an intimate, real relationship with Christ. Introduce, teach, grow, and follow and HE IS WITH US!

If this is true, than why do so many of our churches look like private social clubs that make no difference in our life and the lives of others?

Speaking of community, let’s consider this in the first centruy church…

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2: 42-47

I believe in real Christian community and the need and power of such community. However, I have not seen a lot of churches that match what is written above. This is part of the problem!

Consider some of the following stats from renowned pollster George Barna in his newer book, Revolution…

- The bi-weekly attendence at worship service is the generaly the only time Christians worship God

- Half of Christians sat they have not felt they have entered into the presence of God in the las year

- Most churched Christians feel they do not have the “gift” of evangelism so outreach is not a responsblity for them (I guess I missed that small print on the Great Commission)

- The average Christian believes the Bible if the Word of God but spend much less time in the Scripture than watching TV, listening to music, or hobbies

- When asked what they want to be remembered for after thier passing, fewer than 1 out of every 10 Christians mention anything to do with God or thier spirituality

- Fewer than 10% of church going Christians give a tithe (10% of income) to thier church or other organizations though more than 1/3 of them say that they do (lyer, lyer pants on fire)

- Speaking of tithing, when talking about stewardship, less than 1 out of every 20 Christians realize that stewarship is more than the almighty dollar and includes your time, gifts, realations and skills

- Only one out of every four Christians spend time volunteering and when they do, most is for thier church and not for those in need

- The typical Christian would rather give money and have someone else help those in need than do it themselves

- Fewer than 1 out of 6 Christians have someone in thier life for accountablity to help them with the areas they struggle with and spur them on to holiness

- Outside of church, the typical Christian spends less than 3 hours a month on thier spiritual growth

Are you getting this? It’s more than saying, compare this list with the list within the community of the early church as mentioned above. It’s more than a guilt trip that we as Christians are dropping the ball. Here’s the rub……when we live like this instead of like Christ, we usher ourselves into bondage, away from freedom, dampen our relationship with Christ, and worse yet……we show the world a hypocritical version of Jesus Christ so they don’t want anything to do with Him. They want something better, legit, consistent, and real! They desire the Jesus of the Bible and by our actions, we show them something counterfeit. What’s worse, they think we are giving the real deal so they walk away.

Religion has become a word of digust! I hate that! Let’s reclaim that word shall we?

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1: 27

What a difference this world would be IF the church practiced this type of religion instead of what we have been offering. No more hyprocrisy, no more ignoring the needs of others, no more protecting ourselves by hiding in the church building, and no more comfort zones of the society club of “we’re better than you”.

Now see, I’m babbling again. It sure does sound like I am church bashing which is not my intent. My intent, as previously mentioned, is to look at what is the disease within the church and it is ill.The simple fact is, that for the most part, most can not tell the difference between the life of a Christian and an Atheist. If we have been saved by Christ’s grace, changed by His love, and trust in His promises….. shouldn’t it show somehow? shouldn’t it? Buehler? Buehler?

It’s first and foremost a personal choice.

If you are a Christian, then what are you willing to do to be real…..to be like Christ? Don’t be one of these, “You’re right! I’m not going back to church ever!” people. Acts 2 shows us how important community is! Are you struggling in your church? Let me first suggest that you do a self check. It could be you! Pray it through, work it through, and talk to your leaders about it. However, if you really open yourself up to this and find it is not you, leave. Find a church family that encourages you and partners with you in a real relationship and life in Christ! It’s hard to find sometimes to be honest. It can be somewhat intimidating. However, once you find it, it’s so worth it!

If you are not a Christian, and the reason for it is because a church or Christian has hurt you before….I am sorry and you are not alone. I pray you will take a chance and serach out the Jesus of the Bible instead of the “Jesus” you have seen presented by others. If you wish to take a new look…….. feel free to touch base and I would be thrilled to talk with you. Maybe there is someone else in your life that you know who is the “real deal”. Invite them to have lunch, please. There is something better than what many have been shown.

I believe God is raising something up! In many ways, I believe it is not being lead by the church but by individuals within the Church, the body of Christ. Too many people are feeling restless like I am that there is a problem. We feel that it is not acceptable for politics and turf wars to take the place of the perfect balance of God’s truth and love.

Maybe you have some thoughts on all this. If so, I hope you comment. However, more than anything else, I pray we start living what we say we believe, I pray it intesifies our personal realtionship with Christ and within His Church and that it changes the world of those around us for the lost, the hurting, and those in need.

Blessings,

Thomas
The Shepherd’s Fellowship