Church Issues

Gut Check #3

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Have you ever wondered if you've naturally (through cultural osmosis) fallen into a lifestyle that is antithetical to real, vibrant Christianity?

And worse, you're not sure how to change or you don't grasp what a more godly lifestyle looks like in America 2006?

 

Be an iconoclast! Shatter the illusion!Right now, this is a big struggle for me. I think the lifestyle most Christian Americans lead is contrary to the Gospel, no matter how much we plead that this is "a Christian nation." We look too much like the world, have been seduced by systems that destroy us spiritually, and are unwilling to fight against that tyranny, instead making peace by Christianizing things that harm our souls.

Yet breaking out of that Darwin-inspired nightmare will prove costly. Smashing systems always is. We might lose everything but Christ. Yet isn't that what He says must occur if we are to truly find the narrow path that leads to glory?

Something's gotta change. Christians once were iconoclasts. What are we now?

{Image: Still from Apple Computer's "1984" ad} 

 

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Gut Check #2

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This one's not a convicting question, but I believe it's one that bothers many Christians nonetheless. It used to be the question I asked in the purpose statement for Cerulean Sanctum. Now I open it up for you all:

Do you ever sit in church on Sunday and wonder,

Is this the best it will ever be?  

 

Empty Church

Some people would say that it's wrong to think such a thing, but I surmise a lot of people have a nagging sensation that they're missing something in their walk with Christ. They look around and wonder if anyone else feels the same way, and when they stop wondering whether other people are struggling like they are, they chalk it up to their own deficiencies.

This side of heaven, it won't be the best it will ever be. However, I believe it can be more than it is. What I haven't exactly come to understand is whether that question is a good or a bad signal. Is it wrong to feel like something's missing and to desire that something, or is it a sign of spiritual immaturity—or even a complete lack of faith?

Whatever the answer is, I wonder how many people get back in their cars after their church meeting and grapple with the fact that the last hour or so they spent in the company of other believers was lacking in a way they can't put their finger on. 

Or is it selfish to even entertain that thought?

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Gut Check #1

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In the course of your lifetime, how many people have you led to Christ?

This is not a question most Christians in this country suffer well. In fact, I would predict that on first reading, an immediate objection of some kind or other crops up and the reader begins splitting hairs.

“Define led to Christ…”

“Well, people don’t actually lead others to Christ, the Holy Spirit does all the leading.”

“God doesn’t judge us on our ability to ‘win’ souls.”

We want to make a doctrinal statement, but we don’t want to answer the question.

I’ll answer the question: perhaps a dozen that I can be certain of. There could be as many as ten times that, but only a dozen or so come to mind. I have no doubt that I’ve been an influential sower, but as a reaper, not so much. Evangelism AngstPretty sad when you think about it. Right now, the only person I’m actively pursuing in that regard is my own child. And since he’ll probably be our only child, that doesn’t make me much of an evangelist right now.

My lame excuse is that I tend to focus on discipleship. Give me the new believer and let me show them how to walk out their new faith. But when it comes to real evangelism that leads to conversions, I’m a stiff.

Sadly, I’ve got plenty of company. The church used to place more of a responsibility for Christians to be actively sowing and reaping. Nowadays, sowing gets all the buzz, and it’s a minute buzz at that. We think of evangelism as bringing someone to church to have someone else tell them about the Gospel. Us actually explain what we believe? No way. That’s why our church went seeker-sensitive, wasn’t it?

Twenty years ago, I routinely encountered people who tried to evangelize me. Today, it never happens. It’s been at least ten years since anyone’s come up to me and started into an evangelistic message.

There can be only one outcome from a Christians not sharing their faith. Those new folks in church this morning? Cannibalized from another church.

Gut Check #1: In the course of your lifetime, how many people have you led to Christ?

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