Last night I was reading a story by Roald Dahl, one of my all time favorite authors. It was called "The Hitchhiker", one of his short stories, found in "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (and six more)". The story is about a man who is driving to London and stops to pick up a hitchhiker. After a conversation, the man realizes that the hitchhiker is being very cryptic about his line of work. Finally, it is revealed that the hitchhiker is a professional pickpocket (or as he calls it "fingersmith"). During the car ride, the pickpocket had stolen several things from the driver including one of his shoelaces.
It is a very simple and well written story, but I found myself trying to figure out how the pickpocket did it. I was envisioning the car, and the two men, and just how he might have feasibly reached down unnoticed and swiped the driver's shoelace.
If I were a young person, I would have accepted it as a cool and fantastical occurrence in a story. As an adult, I was trying to break it down and figure it out. Maybe somethings aren't meant to be figured out. Maybe we just need to let our imaginations go and take pleasure in small little fantastical things like fictional pickpockets stealing shoelaces...
Now that I have the opportunity to work a lot with kids, I've realized that when you grow up the world isn't as fun and magical as it was when you were a kid. I admire the imaginations of little ones and how they don't judge the world or get disillusioned by it. They dream big, nothing is impossible, and anything can be made fun. Why do adults always have to bring the world crashing down? Sometimes I wish I were back at the age of believing, the place in life where armchairs are turned into chariots and stuffed animals come alive to have tea parties. The place where unicorns pull cars to make them move, not engines. The place where magical bubble baths turn chores like washing dishes into fun. The place where books can be read over and over and over again and even though Amelia Bedelia will always screw something up, you're just as thrilled at the end when she bakes some thing delicious and turns everything around. The world is a sad, scary, depressing place when you're a disillusioned adult. We often forget the things that make this life beautiful like imagination, creativity, and just a little bit of silliness.
24 February 2009
22 February 2009
where is the Church?
The following has been my soapbox lately.
Where is The Church?
(When I say "the Church" with a capital 'C', I refer to the institution of the body of Christ, the group of believers that form the institution Church. I don't mean to talk about one specific congregation, building, or even denomination. I mean, everyone, together, on the whole, the institution.)
I am disappointed with the image that the Church (especially in America) has been portraying to the rest of the world, the non-Christ-following world. All I see is flashy worship bands, fancy coffee, and self-help Christianity. I see people going to church because the feel like they should, because they find some sort of self-fulfillment, or because they think it will solve all of their problems. I hear sermons about how Jesus can save YOU, YOU can go to heaven, and God can make YOU feel better. I see churches trying to cater to certain audiences, asking questions like "how do we get THIS group of people to come to church". I see churches care more about getting people in the door than making sure they feel like they belong once they're there. I see church leaders care more about the number of people in their sanctuaries on Sundays than who those people are. I see colorful graphics, flashy videos, and novel-length bulletins advertising this weeks offerings of "church" things to do. I see preachers take political sides and teach political views in their services. I see the Church conform to pop culture.
I don't see the Church care for people like it should. I don't see the Church rising up and dealing with social justice issues like it should. I don't see unity in the Church. I see disfunctionality and division. I see unending battles of politics. I see misused authority. I see individualism, not community. I see greed and selfishness. I see the Church getting so wrapped up in itself that it has lost the vision and purpose of its existence.
In the book of Acts, we are introduced to a group of 1st century believers. These were the people who were around before, during, and after the crucifixion/resurrection/ascension of Jesus Christ. The first couple chapters of Acts describes what life was like in that early Church. It says the believers "were together and had everything in common" (Acts 2:44). They shared everything, had fellowship together, took care of those in need, and served the Lord together. They were living in true community. They loved God and each other, and that's all that really mattered. Everything they did flowed out of that. People catered themselves (their beliefs, and ways of life) to the Church, not the other way around. I desire to experience that in the Church today. True community centered around the belief in Jesus Christ and following His teaching. But I'm just not seeing it.
According to the Barna Group, only 4% of Americans tithed in 2004. Four percent. Money is always a touchy subject in the Church. Churches don't want to have to beg for money, and people don't want to feel pressured to give money. But only 4%? The tithe is something that is found throughout the Old and New Testaments. It has been around forever (well, almost). The basic idea of the tithe is that you acknowledge that everything that you own belongs to God and thus you give Him the first cut. Back in the days of animal sacrifice and stuff, people were supposed to give up the best of their flocks or herds. Actually, if you read through Leviticus and Deuteronomy, there is a really elaborate system of tithing and sacrifice. Now by "giving" it to God, doesn't mean you burn it or something so that you don't have it anymore, it means that you give it to be used in some manner to further the Kingdom of God. Tithes in the Bible were used to take care of Church/Synagogue leaders, the poor, the widowed, and the orphans. The early Church made sure that everyone had enough of what they needed and that no one was left to suffer. Can you imagine the impact the Church could make today if it really used it's resources for the Glory of God? What if all believers tithed, and the Church used that money to further the Kingdom of God? Think of how many people wouldn't have to go hungry anymore, or how many people could be saved from slavery and human trafficking. What if that money used to buy that fancy schmancy projector had been used to buy groceries for that homeless family down the street?
I recently went to a church service, that quickly turned into a pro-life rally. Words were being used as weapons against President Obama and all who supported the right to choose. The pastor got very riled up and was shouting by the end in a very spirited argument for the rights of unborn children. "Amen"s were popping out in different places in the congregation. And I was sinking lower and lower into the pew. All I could think about was what would happen if they found out I was Liberal and had voted for Obama? I was envisioning being run out of the building and being condemned to a life of paganism. It wasn't a very good feeling. Nor was it a feeling I should have been getting from church. I will never step inside that building ever again, if I can help it. I was also thinking of my non-Christian friends who might at some point in their lives be faced with the decision of getting an abortion, and how they were being accused by this pastor of being potential murderers. That hurt too. Jesus did not preach politics. And neither should the Church. Sure, having opinions is fine, but how is the Church using them to further the Kingdom? Is it more Christ-like to lobby the government and protest abortion clinics or to love women into making the right decision? Jesus didn't condemn, so why should we? Why is the Church spending so much time fighting political battles, when they could be changing the world through love? What would happen if the Church stopped alienating and judging gays, lesbians, and women seeking abortions and started loving and trying to support them? When will the Church stop acting so much like Pharisees and more like Jesus? We say we follow Jesus, so why doesn't it look like we do? When will we stop being so self-involved and start being selfless?
I have been very critical up to this point, but like I said, this has been my soapbox. Now even though the Church has been disappointing, and I have lost faith in its ability to live up to its potential, that's not to say there aren't good things happening. I am extremely honored to have been born into a family of missionaries, people who have served and are serving the Lord all around the world. I have also been honored to have met (and been involved in) a great deal of other church and non-profit ministries around the country. Good things are happening. A lot of very admirable people are doing everything they can to further the Kingdom and share the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Most of these things happen under the radar, out of view of the public eye. But that's kind of how Jesus rolled. Countless times in the Gospels, Jesus tells people not to tell others about the miracles He performed or whatever. So I would like to acknowledge and applaud everything that believers are doing to serve God. But I can't help but question how much is actually being done when I hear about all the suffering that's going on in the world. Is it enough? Is what the Church doing enough? I don't think so. And I can only hope and pray that it will grow out of this self-help-individual-based Christianity phase and into a true-loving-community based Christianity.
When will we stop drawing lines and join together to rock this world for Jesus? The Church has so much potential to impact this sucky-hurting-suffering world in a supernatural way. Are we going to live up to that potential?
Where is The Church?
(When I say "the Church" with a capital 'C', I refer to the institution of the body of Christ, the group of believers that form the institution Church. I don't mean to talk about one specific congregation, building, or even denomination. I mean, everyone, together, on the whole, the institution.)
I am disappointed with the image that the Church (especially in America) has been portraying to the rest of the world, the non-Christ-following world. All I see is flashy worship bands, fancy coffee, and self-help Christianity. I see people going to church because the feel like they should, because they find some sort of self-fulfillment, or because they think it will solve all of their problems. I hear sermons about how Jesus can save YOU, YOU can go to heaven, and God can make YOU feel better. I see churches trying to cater to certain audiences, asking questions like "how do we get THIS group of people to come to church". I see churches care more about getting people in the door than making sure they feel like they belong once they're there. I see church leaders care more about the number of people in their sanctuaries on Sundays than who those people are. I see colorful graphics, flashy videos, and novel-length bulletins advertising this weeks offerings of "church" things to do. I see preachers take political sides and teach political views in their services. I see the Church conform to pop culture.
I don't see the Church care for people like it should. I don't see the Church rising up and dealing with social justice issues like it should. I don't see unity in the Church. I see disfunctionality and division. I see unending battles of politics. I see misused authority. I see individualism, not community. I see greed and selfishness. I see the Church getting so wrapped up in itself that it has lost the vision and purpose of its existence.
In the book of Acts, we are introduced to a group of 1st century believers. These were the people who were around before, during, and after the crucifixion/resurrection/ascension of Jesus Christ. The first couple chapters of Acts describes what life was like in that early Church. It says the believers "were together and had everything in common" (Acts 2:44). They shared everything, had fellowship together, took care of those in need, and served the Lord together. They were living in true community. They loved God and each other, and that's all that really mattered. Everything they did flowed out of that. People catered themselves (their beliefs, and ways of life) to the Church, not the other way around. I desire to experience that in the Church today. True community centered around the belief in Jesus Christ and following His teaching. But I'm just not seeing it.
According to the Barna Group, only 4% of Americans tithed in 2004. Four percent. Money is always a touchy subject in the Church. Churches don't want to have to beg for money, and people don't want to feel pressured to give money. But only 4%? The tithe is something that is found throughout the Old and New Testaments. It has been around forever (well, almost). The basic idea of the tithe is that you acknowledge that everything that you own belongs to God and thus you give Him the first cut. Back in the days of animal sacrifice and stuff, people were supposed to give up the best of their flocks or herds. Actually, if you read through Leviticus and Deuteronomy, there is a really elaborate system of tithing and sacrifice. Now by "giving" it to God, doesn't mean you burn it or something so that you don't have it anymore, it means that you give it to be used in some manner to further the Kingdom of God. Tithes in the Bible were used to take care of Church/Synagogue leaders, the poor, the widowed, and the orphans. The early Church made sure that everyone had enough of what they needed and that no one was left to suffer. Can you imagine the impact the Church could make today if it really used it's resources for the Glory of God? What if all believers tithed, and the Church used that money to further the Kingdom of God? Think of how many people wouldn't have to go hungry anymore, or how many people could be saved from slavery and human trafficking. What if that money used to buy that fancy schmancy projector had been used to buy groceries for that homeless family down the street?
I recently went to a church service, that quickly turned into a pro-life rally. Words were being used as weapons against President Obama and all who supported the right to choose. The pastor got very riled up and was shouting by the end in a very spirited argument for the rights of unborn children. "Amen"s were popping out in different places in the congregation. And I was sinking lower and lower into the pew. All I could think about was what would happen if they found out I was Liberal and had voted for Obama? I was envisioning being run out of the building and being condemned to a life of paganism. It wasn't a very good feeling. Nor was it a feeling I should have been getting from church. I will never step inside that building ever again, if I can help it. I was also thinking of my non-Christian friends who might at some point in their lives be faced with the decision of getting an abortion, and how they were being accused by this pastor of being potential murderers. That hurt too. Jesus did not preach politics. And neither should the Church. Sure, having opinions is fine, but how is the Church using them to further the Kingdom? Is it more Christ-like to lobby the government and protest abortion clinics or to love women into making the right decision? Jesus didn't condemn, so why should we? Why is the Church spending so much time fighting political battles, when they could be changing the world through love? What would happen if the Church stopped alienating and judging gays, lesbians, and women seeking abortions and started loving and trying to support them? When will the Church stop acting so much like Pharisees and more like Jesus? We say we follow Jesus, so why doesn't it look like we do? When will we stop being so self-involved and start being selfless?
I have been very critical up to this point, but like I said, this has been my soapbox. Now even though the Church has been disappointing, and I have lost faith in its ability to live up to its potential, that's not to say there aren't good things happening. I am extremely honored to have been born into a family of missionaries, people who have served and are serving the Lord all around the world. I have also been honored to have met (and been involved in) a great deal of other church and non-profit ministries around the country. Good things are happening. A lot of very admirable people are doing everything they can to further the Kingdom and share the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Most of these things happen under the radar, out of view of the public eye. But that's kind of how Jesus rolled. Countless times in the Gospels, Jesus tells people not to tell others about the miracles He performed or whatever. So I would like to acknowledge and applaud everything that believers are doing to serve God. But I can't help but question how much is actually being done when I hear about all the suffering that's going on in the world. Is it enough? Is what the Church doing enough? I don't think so. And I can only hope and pray that it will grow out of this self-help-individual-based Christianity phase and into a true-loving-community based Christianity.
When will we stop drawing lines and join together to rock this world for Jesus? The Church has so much potential to impact this sucky-hurting-suffering world in a supernatural way. Are we going to live up to that potential?
09 February 2009
here i go again
Dear readers,
No you are not going crazy, yes, I did indeed start a new blog. Wow, I never really thought of myself as the "blogging" type, and yet here I am starting numero 3. I guess I just have a lot of thoughts that are in my head that need some sort of outlet. And as fate would have it, there are people in this world who enjoy reading things that I write.
Thus, I present you with "if amy ran the world."
I seem to be at an intersection of my life, where the world is kind of a confusing place. I find myself questioning the way things work, and questioning the world in general. Why are things the way they are? How can they be better? What's up with all the issues we have with social justice? Why is religion such a touchy subject? Why does the world suck sometimes? So here I am to provide an outflow of my thoughts about life and the world in general.
I do have some viewer discretion advisements:
1. What will be contained in this blog will most likely be MY OPINIONS about things. I am well aware that my opinions are not always very sound or correct, but they are mine, so I must own up to them. And please be aware that I do not mean to offend anyone with my words. We all have opinions and that is why the world is full of disagreements. But honestly, how boring would life be if we agreed all the time? That being said, I do welcome and respect others' opinions, and hope that you will likewise respect my opinions.
2. Between the influence of public school and my family, I have been taught to think critically. This means that I might be a little critical of things every now and then. If you know me at all, you know that I tend to be a very optimistic/idealistic person. This, however, does not mean that I don't have some qualms with the world in which we live. It just means that sometimes I don't completely acknowledge reality and would rather spend my time dreaming of how the world should/could be. So if I say things that sound like I have my head in the clouds, I probably do, so just leave me there for a while before you bring me crashing back down to the real world.
3. I love Jesus. That being said, a lot of how I view the world is from a religious/spiritual/"christian" perspective. A lot of what I think about on a daily basis has to do with God. Therefore, a safe assumption would be that a lot of what I write about will probably have a lot to do with God.
4. I don't really have issues with bringing up and discussing controversial issues. I would much rather spend my time engaging in conversations about the controversial than hiding from them. I am not afraid of heated discussions, and am happy to be able to voice my perspective any time. I do not believe that discussions of this nature are inherently hostile, and that they can be quite productive if the participants are themselves not hostile, but approach it with intelligence and good points.
Whew, now that I got those out of my system, you have been sufficiently forewarned of the content of this blog.
I hope you find interest in the things I have to say, but if not, that's cool. I'm just someone trying to figure out what I believe about this world, and feel the need to articulate it. If you've read down this far, I do appreciate your attention and truly hope that whatever I post on here will challenge you as much as it will have challenged me.
p.s. I very well may be jumping into the deep end by starting this blog, but hey, why not?
No you are not going crazy, yes, I did indeed start a new blog. Wow, I never really thought of myself as the "blogging" type, and yet here I am starting numero 3. I guess I just have a lot of thoughts that are in my head that need some sort of outlet. And as fate would have it, there are people in this world who enjoy reading things that I write.
Thus, I present you with "if amy ran the world."
I seem to be at an intersection of my life, where the world is kind of a confusing place. I find myself questioning the way things work, and questioning the world in general. Why are things the way they are? How can they be better? What's up with all the issues we have with social justice? Why is religion such a touchy subject? Why does the world suck sometimes? So here I am to provide an outflow of my thoughts about life and the world in general.
I do have some viewer discretion advisements:
1. What will be contained in this blog will most likely be MY OPINIONS about things. I am well aware that my opinions are not always very sound or correct, but they are mine, so I must own up to them. And please be aware that I do not mean to offend anyone with my words. We all have opinions and that is why the world is full of disagreements. But honestly, how boring would life be if we agreed all the time? That being said, I do welcome and respect others' opinions, and hope that you will likewise respect my opinions.
2. Between the influence of public school and my family, I have been taught to think critically. This means that I might be a little critical of things every now and then. If you know me at all, you know that I tend to be a very optimistic/idealistic person. This, however, does not mean that I don't have some qualms with the world in which we live. It just means that sometimes I don't completely acknowledge reality and would rather spend my time dreaming of how the world should/could be. So if I say things that sound like I have my head in the clouds, I probably do, so just leave me there for a while before you bring me crashing back down to the real world.
3. I love Jesus. That being said, a lot of how I view the world is from a religious/spiritual/"christian" perspective. A lot of what I think about on a daily basis has to do with God. Therefore, a safe assumption would be that a lot of what I write about will probably have a lot to do with God.
4. I don't really have issues with bringing up and discussing controversial issues. I would much rather spend my time engaging in conversations about the controversial than hiding from them. I am not afraid of heated discussions, and am happy to be able to voice my perspective any time. I do not believe that discussions of this nature are inherently hostile, and that they can be quite productive if the participants are themselves not hostile, but approach it with intelligence and good points.
Whew, now that I got those out of my system, you have been sufficiently forewarned of the content of this blog.
I hope you find interest in the things I have to say, but if not, that's cool. I'm just someone trying to figure out what I believe about this world, and feel the need to articulate it. If you've read down this far, I do appreciate your attention and truly hope that whatever I post on here will challenge you as much as it will have challenged me.
p.s. I very well may be jumping into the deep end by starting this blog, but hey, why not?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)