"Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am become as a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." Paul the Apostle
I have become tired of the lethargic church and of empty Christianity. It saddens me that the world does not see a true representation of Jesus when it sees His supposed followers. I am dismayed that we continue to build extravagant homes (churches) for God and yet don't take care of those without homes. I am concerned that we have merrily built for ourselves a fortress and now reside within its four walls as if protecting ourselves from the "evil" world around us.
Though I am saddened, angry and tired of these things, I am even wearier of just simply talking about it. I have to guard myself and watch that I don't become too cynical, judgmental and frustrated that I become useless to God, to Christianity and to humankind.
Sure, I can write blogs about Christianities issues until my hair turns gray and my fingers become arthritic. I can sit around at coffee houses discussing the problems of the church with friends until every stone is overturned. I can read as many books and articles about what the church is supposed to look like or how its inhabitants have grown overfeed and lazy. But all the while the world turns, time passes and I grow older. I have to ask myself whether I am simply becoming a clanging cymbal? Am I nothing more than a noise that is pounding like the neighbors stereo at 2 AM annoying all those around me?
Yeah, we have done a fine job messing up Jesus' image throughout history. I feel a responsibility to tell people "no, this isn't who Jesus is". This is not the Jesus I have grown up to know and live for. He is not like those who angrily condemn the gay and lesbian communities while inconsiderately shouting hateful things at them at protests and rallies. He is not the one who hangs "No-Smoking" signs outside churches so that those who do smoke feel even more alienated from the “saints” inside. He is not the one standing on street corners shouting "Turn or Burn!" He does not send hurricanes or fly airplanes into buildings to punish or scare us into getting our act together or repenting. And he is not the one on TV asking for our money while promising us prosperity because of our generous contributions. He is far from any of these things, unfortunately however, their bullhorns are loud and they draw all of the attention.
It all makes me wonder if the world has ever actually gotten a glimpse of the real Jesus? Sure, people can know about him, know a little about religion and spend some time in church but all of that means very little. Those of us who are Christians are supposed to represent the incredible love and grace of Jesus to the world, not send them running away, causing them to despise Him.
Don't get me wrong; there are some of the coolest Christians, churches and people who are doing and being everything they are supposed to be. I am thankful for them because they encourage and challenge my faith and give me hope that all is not lost.
It was because of a somewhat stagnate faith that I began writing blogs and talking to people about my frustrations with religion and church. I was hoping in the very least to encourage and inspire them to think a little more critically about their own faith while at the same time desiring to ignite a little life into my own. I was also hoping to find people that may have experienced or witnessed some of the same things I had, to see if my feelings were legitimate or unfounded. I guess what I really was hoping to determine was if I was crazy, "backslidden" or if I was on the right track.
Thank God I found that I was not alone. There are many people out there who are just as tired and frustrated who desire to see some positive changes within their church and faith. This is where we need to be cautious however. If all we do is sit around complaining, writing and talking we will begin to hear a distant clanging in our ears. We need to follow passionate discontent with action.
God has designed all believers to play significant roles in something incredibly spiritual, powerful and effective, called the church (which is simply a term meaning the collection of all believers, not to be confused with a building). And as much as it frustrates me to no end and tests the level of my patients I cannot remove myself from it nor can I renounce my place from within it. It is a part of me and I am a part of it. So when I find myself nitpicking all of its flaws and inconsistencies I have to ask myself am I doing my part? Is it the churches fault or should I share in the blame because I have taken myself out of the game and stand on the sideline judging it to pieces?
Too many of us have allowed the hurt, the abuse and the neglect we have experienced within Christianity render us ineffective. We can sulk and lick our wounds for a time and point out all the things that need to change, but until we do something proactive it all eventually just becomes noise. The church may be a mess, but its our mess, so what are we going to do about it?
This might sound crazy, egocentric, or as John Lennon put it best "you may say I'm a dreamer", but its time to be true representatives of what we believe. I know it sounds cliché but we need to be the change we want to see. Instead of shunning the soiled, misused label of Christian, perhaps we need to begin redefining it through our lives and actions. How do accomplish such an overwhelming and seemingly impossible task? Well, may I suggest we begin not by beating down the doors of neighbors, handing out evangelistic tracts, or inviting people to our church (though those are tools that sometimes work)…but let’s start somewhere simple, humble, often ignored and almost always undervalued. Let it begin with us living out our faith, loving others, serving and being hope. If we can accomplish this quietly without all the fanfare and hype it will speak the loudest and our message will be heard.
"Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.' St Francis of Assisi.
