You know the commission. GO! (Matthew 28, Acts 1:8, Hebrews 13, and many other Scriptures) Do you ever think about this [God-sized] commission. It's huge, it's risky, it's dangerous, but we've been promised that He Himself (Heb. 13:5-6) will NEVER desert us or EVER forsake us. WOWIn his book, Roaring Lambs, Bob Briner talks about how the churches influence in culture is quenched when she stays quiet in the mainstream (meaning all forms of music, theatre, arts, printed media, local school board and TV and radio; i.e. the marketplace.)
I recently moved into this risky place (outside the camp) and agreed to an interview for my local paper. I didn't like the final result at all and now finding myself wishing I had stayed inside the camp (but resolved that I must not.) So I thought I would open up for some thoughts from others with suggestions and thoughts about being a "Roaring Lamb" in the mainstream of our culture.
"It's time for believers to confidently carry their faith with them into the marketplace so that our very culture feels (and hears) the difference." Bob Briner (Added emphasis, because they must hear the gospel for it to be good news.)
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I think Evangelical churches have a long way to go. They've spent the last 80 or so years digging trenches for the culture wars, and now we're realizing that it shouldn't be that kind of war. As long as the church remains insulated in its own sanctified culture lobbing holiness bombs at the outside world we will continue to be less and less effective for God's Kingdom.
ReplyDeleteJesus fought this "war" in very close combat. He walked around putting himself at risk being vulnerable with people.
It comes down to identifying with people who don't totally agree with us while still holding firmly to the Word of Truth.
Bennet, I could not agree more! I have become increasingly weary of hearing the war drums beat to rally the troops for the latest and greatest battle in the culture war and all I see is things getting increasingly worse. I definitely think it's time to change our strategy.
ReplyDeleteWhen those outside the church are using terms like, "hypocrite," "judgmental," "political," and "anti-_____ (you fill in the blank here)" I think it shows just what kind of trenches we have dug for ourselves. This seems to be a far cry from that first century church that was known for it's love for insiders and outsiders.
My two cents have been shared.
Alabama John
Bennett and John,
ReplyDeleteThis morning, while reading the online comments at magicvalley.com (my local paper) I came across this interesting insightful reply to an ongoing community discussion about homosexual marriage. I thought it was good enough to share here. I know nothing about the person who wrote in but I thought he or she is worth listening to.
Suni Lybrand idSuni wrote on Dec 4, 2008 12:42 PM:
" I don't except the Bible as the guide by which all laws are created. People want to call us a Christian nation, but I don't see that. Not historically and not in practical application. Most Christians I know own houses, cars, expensive and worthless electronics. I haven't seen any of them sell their possessions and do the work of Jesus.
I haven't seen any of our local churches send out a call to action over issues like Darfur where thousands are being murdered, raped and starved. How can any of you claim to love God and yet only do his bidding when it comes to social issues that make you uncomfortable. Focusing on whether or not homosexuality is immoral while simultaneously ignoring genocide Does not make you Godly. It makes you a lousy Christian in fact.
I don't want to down playing the struggles that gays have endured, but how important is it really to debate about whether they should or shouldn't be allowed to get married. Jesus would be ashamed. I'm positive that his message was less about squabbling over social issues and more about loving your neighbor. I remember feeding the hungry and clothing the naked is in there too.
My husband mentioned Darfur to someone the other day and the girl shrugged and said, "I'd rather march with the gays." Really? You would ignore the little girls who are raped by soldier after soldier so you can focus on what's really important... Infuriating.
Wake up people, if you're going claim to be Christians, in fact I'm going to stop using the word Christian. It's one of those labels that numbs a person to the realities of what it represents. So, I'll just say Like Christ. It's harder to ignore the implications that way. So, if you are trying to be Like Christ then you need to prioritize your lives. That coffee that you bought this morning could have fed a child for a week. The lipstick, those earrings, that CD, pack of cigarettes, soda, McDonalds... are you really Like Christ if you think instant superficial gratification is more important than the life of a child or a village? I say every one of you who is on here using the Bible to back up your feelings about homosexuality is undeniably Not Like Christ unless you also happen to live as meagerly as possible in order to help (love) others. It's very convenient isn't it? That you would overlook the passages that would call you out for what you are. Hypocrites. "
Paul,
ReplyDeleteI fear we have earned this beating. It makes me mindful of Habakkuk's complaint about God using an ungodly people to discipline His own.
Alabama John
John,
ReplyDeleteI think you are correct. I've not been in on this latest round of letters to the editor because it has been very brutal and hard to follow because so many go off on small non-issues. But this one was well thought out. I don't think he or she is right on a few of the thoughts about what Christ would have to say on the issue, but this person spoke to a heart matter of the American church who has become more of a social center than a refugee center for the hurting. I'm hearing this kind of talk from many in my community about what they have come to know as the 'church'. We are the salt of the earth, but when the salt loses it's saltiness it is thrown out and trampled on my man... hmmmmmm. I went and read that Habakkuk text you are mentioning. Very timely.