Church: The
Rules Have Changed
By
Pastor Draven
There I sat. Often I had come to this place in the hopes of one of
them, just one of them, realizing the love of God like I had. I know
that they all loved me as one of their best friends, but there was
always a wall in my face when it came to sharing anything about my
faith. I could only imagine where playing a simple word-game would get
me. Church? Theological chauvinism. Christian? Judgmental, elitist,
hypocritical… Dare I go on? "Oh, but you are a cool Christian," they
would assure me, not like the ones they were so quick to spit at. They
had become so cold towards a "church culture" they felt had hurt them or
abandoned them, that they refused to even acknowledge the true character
of Christ. Sure, Christ was a cool guy, but they wanted nothing to do
with him because of "followers". They were hurt, alone, and scared, to
the point of constantly fighting depression and suicidal tendencies.
They were desperate for something spiritual, but not finding solace in
the church, they turned to anything and everything else they could find
some sort of belonging in, and some level of spirituality; never wanting
to return to God again, out of fear of being beaten by a cold and
distant father. Church had become the last place they would look for
love and acceptance.
How did we get to this place? Has the Church so separated itself from
unbelievers that we have made it almost impossible to reach out to and
help the very ones who we claim that we are called to help? I remember
the times when church was viewed as a place to learn and grow that now
we only read about. I remember when the Church was seen as a refuge for
the poor, the hungry, the downtrodden, believers and unbelievers alike;
a place full of love and acceptance, where "come as you are" is the
motto; when ministers were seen as some of the most well-educated people
in the community, and the Church was an intricate part of that
community; when a church was a public building, for all people, not just
for the "worshippers", and not only open for worship services, but for
any time. Where do we go from here? How do we re-emerge the Church as
the refuge and sought after place it used to be and was always meant to
be?
The past few generations have been called "the emerging generation", and
with them has come a breaking free of the traditions that have become
deemed as going nowhere in this new culture. We have a longing for
community, a need for a creative outlet, and a desire to experience the
mystical and deeply spiritual aspects of God. What is relevant to our
culture? As I look for the places that are sought after, I see coffee
houses, concert venues, places to hang out, places to be a part, and
places where we can express ourselves, places where we can just rest,
read, or just be still with God, places where we are both productive and
rested. This is Church, a place where everyday-life and spirituality
mesh.
In the words of Steve Collins:
-
Imagine the unlocking of the doors.
-
Imagine the re-emergence of church
interiors as public spaces in the city.
-
Imagine if the worship
installations could stay up all the time.
-
Imagine your local church building
as an open-doored hangout.
-
Imagine sofas, visuals, newspapers,
books, food, drink.
-
Imagine a church with good coffee.
-
Imagine a church with plenty of
places to plug in your laptop.
-
Imagine opening hours 10am to
midnight.
-
Imagine spiritual resources and
personal space available at all times.
-
Imagine a place to work, rest and
pray.
Your
living room only bigger.
Your life only bigger.
(Steve
Collins, Small Ritual, used by permission)
Next
time you are out at a concert or having a cup of coffee, find a place in
the back by yourself and take some time to soak in your environment.
Ask God to open your spiritual eyes. What needs are being met in the
people around you by being there? What really draws them to that place
time and time again? Notice the emotions in the room; the music, the
conversation, the community, the culture. Ask God to tell you how you
can begin to restore His "Church" to these people. Wait. Write down
the answer.
©
Pastor Draven 2005
