The buzz word "unchurched" has been going around a lot these days. It refers to an ever increasing group of believers that are abandoning the church. Not because their beliefs have changed, But rather they are fed up with the churches one size fits all ways. They are tired of the impatient, unkind, rude, and critical ways church people sometimes use to maintain that singular approach. As well as the feeling that they have no place within the traditional one note church body.
Granted, the "unchurched" can often be just as rude and unkind as the traditionalists when pushing for their preferences. Often, they are just trying to shift from the current narrow focus to a different narrow focus, rather than seek true unity in diversity in worship. Many on both sides of the fence just want their preferences to be top priority, and all others to be dismissed. So there is plenty of blame for the faltering state of the body of Christ to go around. Let me address the idea by offering this quote.
In looking backward, our primary concern is not to rediscover old methods to apply without change to today's needs. The value of the past for us lie not in old methods so much as enduring principles and in the ideals that have inspired generations of devout living, self-sacrificing service, and undying loyalty to a challenging cause. Conservative in matters of principle, the Apostle Paul urged Timothy to "guard the truths" entrusted to him; and yet in method Paul was so flexible and progressive that he would become "all things to all men" that he "might by all means (methods) save some."* Methods may be altered to meet present need; principles are to be maintained for all time, for "Truth is forever true."
- Leslie Ray Marston, Bishop and historian of the Free Methodist church
*1 Corinthians 9:22
Those are some wise words from a wise man. Words the church universal needs to take to heart. Since this "unchurched" phenomenon is likely a symptom of the immense conflict over preferences that have no doctrinal basis. Conflicts that are motivated more by comfort, convenience, and selfishness than devout living, self-sacrificing service, undying loyalty to a challenging cause, or actual Biblical principles. Although they may argue otherwise, not that many people have thought about the distinction. Since far too many people base their faith on observation, and feeling, rather than actual study.
Let me throw out another idea for you. "Cognitive dissonance" it's a psychological term which refers to that negative sensation we experience when faced with a differing opinion. A sensation which can lead to some rather irrational behavior if we choose to react emotionally, rather than act faithfully. For the disciple, it is what compels us to forsake humility in favor of pride. To choose selfishness over love. To rely on criticism rather than inspiration. It causes us to confuse preference for principle. What causes us to dismiss the unity in diversity model for the church, in favor of uniformity. It is what keeps us from living a Christ like life. It is what is tearing the church to pieces.
All these choices I mentioned are very common and natural human responses. However, a disciple should seek to be better than that. The apostle Paul often talked about "bearing with one another" in our levels of spiritually maturity. Yet, if this "unchurched" phenomenon has taught us anything, it is that far too many in the church are not willing to bear with one another over anything, but rather push for our preferences to the point of alienating people. Which means far too many have failed miserably in selfless Christian love, humility, and ultimately the mission of the church. The question is, how are we going to rectify this?
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. - Romans 15:1
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. - Ephesians 4:2
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
 |
| click to enlarge |
No comments:
Post a Comment