Had an interesting conversation with my best bud Josh while he was visiting up here in Seattle, so I thought I'd share...
What's up with the Church?
I guess I should clarify what I mean when I say that. I mean, what's up with the American Church? What are we doing? What's the point? Do we care? Do we believe? Does God care? Does God still believe in us?
Long ago, God used men and women to do specific things that changed the world- often they failed, sometimes they succeeded, but all had their lives radically moved by God. I hear stories of this type of relationship overseas- Japan, Africa, China... but what on earth is happening here? Complacency, isolation, disillusionment... even the little things that we "do for God" seem tainted by our own ambitions and lack of follow-through. The relationships we have seem shallow and dependent on circumstances. Mentors and disciples seem non-existent.
Why? I don't even want to get into all the reasons... Perhaps it's comfortability, addictions, secrets, sin, workaholicism, boredom, fears...
But what Josh and I talked about was what are we doing about it? Are we just giving the Church the finger and having our own "faith" apart from everyone else? (I've tried it-- it seems that it mostly leads to a lack of interest in God or the Bible...) Is it worth it to be a part of something we don't completely agree with in order to try to be more like the image of the Church that Jesus gave us? How much power do we have? Are we to be lost in the politics of an outdated institution? Or can we help guide our elders and youth to seeking the Lord's will--
I've had about a year off from any real participation in "ministry". But all that's about to change. I know it's imperfect, because WE'RE imperfect. I know that I'm going to contribute to the imperfection... but I have a voice to add. I have others to mentor. I have much to learn-- and many who can teach. But I vow to be the one to ask. Will you mentor me? Will you be real with me? Will you teach me all you know of God? Will you teach me how to be true to myself and to others? Will you teach me how to love? to endure? to give? to receive?
What will you do?
