Had another great conversation today with someone about the "Church for the rest of us" cards. She was remarking that it was a little shocking to her that a church would actually say that you didn't have to act like a "church person" to come to church. She loves motorcylces but it wasn't the motorcycle card that convinced her to see if the grace offered at CCC real. It was the card with the beer guys on it. She got the message immediately - you don't have to act or look like a normal "church person" to attend this church. By the way, she doesn't drink. Her reason for feeling left out from normal church life in America are other things she does that "church people" normally act as if they don't do.
I wish I could say that I knew this card would be so successful in reaching unconnected people. We certainly hoped it would. It is certainly a message that represents who we are as a church. I guess I just didn't realize it was so desperately needed. For people who are unconnected to Christ and His church it has been like water to thirsty people. I also didn't expect how shocking it would be to "church people". I really didn't.
Tonight in reflecting on the conversation from earlier today I did think about a Bible story. It's in Acts 15. Here is the context. For the first time people who aren't Jews are becoming Christians without adopting all the Jewish practices. It appears that for years everyone who became a Christian had also had to become a Jew first. Now that may not seem like a big deal but for a gentile man it was a major commitment. There was this little deal called circumcision. See what a big deal that would be for a man to decide to accept Jesus. I can only imagine going to the new members class and hearing that was a part of joining the deal. I think I'd just tell me wife to go ahead without me.
Anyway, Paul comes along and he begins to let people be followers of Jesus without circumcision. He is also letting them eat meat sacrificed to idols (another no-no). It causes an uproar among the first century christians. So they hold a big council back at the head church in Jerusalem to find out what they should do. After hearing Paul's testimony James states the conclusion by saying "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God." Acts 15:19 He did add now don't eat the meat deal but Paul even later said that was just a matter of opinion.
I personally am glad they figured the circumcision deal out thousands of years ago. But it does make me wonder how many other "customs" we are tying on people that are "making it hard on those who are turning to God." I hope you guys know that we don't want to drop any clear command in the scripture. But if it's one of these circumcision deals I say we give the guys a break and not make it hard on them. To get that done it will most likely require that we take a hard look at the scripture and a long look at our customs and pull our heads out of the ghetto.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Sure am glad this got figured out a long time ago
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2 comments:
WOW! What a rush I felt watching the video of the church being held in a bar. Maybe CCC should not limit its choices for a new location for Chapter 2.
Here's a thought I hope some other folks will want to discuss. From what I've seen at CCC we pretty much keep rituals down to 2: Baptism and Communion. I think Baptism is a strong public statement to the world that you have made a life-changing decision. I think it is something that seekers (the un-churched, people investigating Christianity)see as significant too. It's a very public, verbal statement with actions. My thoughts on communion are a bit different. I've always preferred communion to be done with small groups of believers, in meetings where seekers don't attend, and it is more personal. My main reason for that is that it is a command from Jesus to his followers to do when they gather together. Done in a large group where seekers attend, I think it seems more ritualistic and also has the potential to create feelings of discomfort or even exclusion. Some who were raised Catholic may even see it as a ritual with negative connotations. Now, having said that, I will concede that it creates an opportunity to point out that there is a decision that needs to be made in order to come into a relationship with Christ, that it isn't just some osmosis type thing that happens from being with Christians, or being born American, etc. I do really appreciate that CCC speakers make the distinction clear every time communion is served. Still, I wonder if services where seekers attend is really the best place to carry out this command from Jesus. So, That's what's on my mind, I'd love to hear from others.
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