Recently Wolfgang Simson was in Melbourne for a Simple Church convention — the MP3’s of the week long conference can be downloaded from here from the convention. While Wolfgang is controversial and confrontational to many in the mainstream church, there was one point that I heard, and mulled over it and must say that I agree with it 100%.
Of course there are many more things that I agree with but it was this issue that I think becomes relevant and when viewed in the larger context of consumerist church — see my mate Mark Sayers for more on that, the issue of actually creating Disciples of Jesus is central to the state of the Church today and the fact that there is even talk of consumerist christians and church.
Matthew 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ( a. Matthew 28:19 Or all peoples) (Emphasis mine)
Aren’t we really good at creating Christian’s and then perpetuating that Christian culture? We have programs and plans, retreats, seminars, talks, conferences, stores, music, rallies, groups and a myriad other “things” to help turn people from being lost to becoming a Christian. And when converted we can be safe from the World with our Christian Book Stores, Christian Directories of Christian Businesses to deal with, Christian Music and Christian Movies etc etc. Keeps us quite safe and comfy huh! Ironically it is this soft approach that repulses many from turning to Christianity and why we have to have campaigns like — Jesus. All About Life! The problem is that while we are good at creating Christians that only seems to be it! Why even the Megachurch — Willow Creek recently recognised this problem about themselves! Of course that HAD to lead to a book and program.….
Shane Claiborne in The Irresistable Revolution writes,
There are congregations on nearly every corner. I’m not sure we need more churches. What we need is a church. I say one church is better than fifty. I have tried to remove the plural form churches from my vocabulary, training myself to think of the church as Christ did, and as the early Christians did. The metaphors for her are always singular – a body, a bride. I heard one gospel preacher say it like this, as he really wound up and broke a sweat: “We’ve got to unite ourselves as one body. Because Jesus is coming back, and he’s coming back for a bride not a harem.
And one more…
I know there are people out there who say, “My life was such a mess. I was drinking, partying, sleeping around … and then I met Jesus and my whole life came together.” God bless those people. But me, I had it together. I used to be cool. And then I met Jesus and he wrecked my life. The more I read the gospel, the more it messed me up, turning everything I believed in, valued, and hoped for upside-down.
I was talking with one of the regular guests at both community dinners that I am part of — The Dining Room and Vive Cafe — and he had some interesting observations about this matter. In fact, we agreed on the fact that many of the denominations etc and even congregations and pastors crave power and their own “Little Kingdoms” and that is quite contrary to the message of Jesus’ Gospel. This very intelligent, educated and learned fellow then told me that I was being niaive to believe that actually following Jesus was ever going to be realistic in our world. I disagreed but this did challenge me to think about the matter some more.
Over on Steve Addison’s blog today was some discussion about the United Church about which I commented on recently here (whoops that was on Facebook not here — apologies to those who came here for the article — will try to get it worked out). It was interesting to see that the slant of the article was more about the demise of the denomination and not the actual effort by the denominational leaders to focus more of following the Gospel of Jesus. So, is it easier and more convenient to make Christians — they come to Church, pay their tithe (not for this post) and act like good sheep and say nothing but go back to their lives with no concern for the enviroment, the poor, the disadvantaged or social justice issues apart from maybe sponsoring a Child via World Vision or even donating to the Micah Challenge to name a couple. Now, let be clear on this, I am not belittling or condemning this groups or their efforts, but what I am saying is that if we created Disciples of Jesus than these organisations would not need to exist!
Ask yourself why we are not being challenged for our beliefs! The following is by Peter Rollins from his blog (which I recommend you add to your list of blogs to read, besides mine of course!) and I would ask that you have a read and then ask yourself if YOU are a Christian or DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST!
The following parable will be included in my forthcoming book The Orthodox Heretic and Other Impossible Tales (March 2009). A compilation of 33 parables and commentaries. This parable is called, ‘No conviction’,
In a world where following Christ is decreed to be a subversive and illegal activity you have been accused of being a believer, arrested and dragged before a court.
You have been under clandestine surveillance for some time now and so the prosecution has been able to build up quite a case against you. They begin the trial by offering the judge dozens of photographs which show you attending church meetings, speaking at religious events, and participating in various prayer and worship services. After this they present a selection of items that have been confiscated from your home: religious books that you own, worship CDs and other Christian artefacts. Then they step up the pace by displaying many of the poems, pieces of prose, and journal entries that you had lovingly written concerning your faith. Finally, in closing, the prosecution offers your Bible to the judge. This is a well-worn book with scribbles, notes, drawings, and underlings throughout, evidence, if it were needed, that you had read and re-read this sacred text many times.
Throughout the case you have been sitting silently in fear and trembling. You know deep in your heart that with the large body of evidence that has been amassed by the prosecution you face the possibility of a long imprisonment or even execution. At various times throughout the proceedings you have lost all confidence and have been on the verge of standing up and denying Christ. But while this thought has plagued your mind throughout the trial, you resist the temptation and remain focused.
Once the prosecution has finished presenting their case the judge proceeds to ask if you have anything to add, but you remain silent and resolute, terrified that if you open your mouth, even for a moment, you might deny the charges made against you. Like Christ, you remain silent before your accusers. In response you are led outside to wait as the judge ponders your case.
The hours pass slowly as you sit under guard in the foyer waiting to be summoned back. Eventually a young man in uniform appears and leads you into the courtroom so that you may hear the verdict and receive word of your punishment. Once seated in the dock the judge, a harsh and unyielding man, enters the room, stands before you, looks deep into your eyes and begins to speak,
“Of the charges that have been brought forward I find the accused not guilty.”
“Not guilty?” your heart freezes. Then, in a split second, the fear and terror that had moments before threatened to strip your resolve are swallowed up by confusion and rage.
Despite the surroundings, you stand defiantly before the judge and demand that he give an account concerning why you are innocent of the charges in light of the evidence.
“What evidence?” he replies in shock.
“What about the poems and prose that I wrote?” you reply.
“They simply show that you think of yourself as a poet, nothing more.”
“But what about the services I spoke at, the times I wept in church and the long, sleepless nights of prayer?”
“Evidence that you are a good speaker and actor, nothing more.” replied the judge, “It is obvious that you deluded those around you, and perhaps at times you even deluded yourself, but this foolishness is not enough to convict you in a court of law.”
“But this is madness!” you shout. “It would seem that no evidence would convince you!”
“Not so,” replies the judge as if informing you of a great, long forgotten secret.
“The court is indifferent toward your Bible reading and church attendance; it has no concern for worship with words and a pen. Continue to develop your theology, and use it to paint pictures of love. We have no interest in such armchair artists who spend their time creating images of a better world. We exist only for those who would lay down that brush, and their life, in a Christ-like endeavor to create it. So, until you live as Christ and his followers, until you challenge this system and become a thorn in our side, until you die to yourself and offer your body to the flames, until then my friend, you are no enemy of ours.”
Thanks for hanging in there to read this lengthy post!
{ 3 comments }
very interesting post, enjoyed the parable, quite sobering and ” bride not harem” is a line I will steal and use.
Hi Mike, Thanks for the feedback – the quote is from Shane Claiborne – so don’t think it was mine! Shalom!
I agree with your analysis. All this “brining people to church” has little to do with bringing people to Christ. I've looked at this from a slightly different slant. Most churches (perhaps even some believer gatherings) are happy creating more “Presumer Performers”. Christ requires true “Seeker Followers”, authenic believers who listen to the Holy Spirit and Follow, who truly seek and do the will of God!
http://thebigpicmin.wordpress.com/2009/03/12/ar...
Most of todays leaders are trying to gain disciples (unto themselves), but God tells us to discerning:
http://thebigpicmin.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/ou...
May God Bless You and Your Ministry,
Glenn
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