Jesus is always relevant, but I think often the church as an institution is far removed from the daily lives of its people. I’m not just talking about the “big issues” — poverty, education, politics, jobs, global warming, whatever. But I think it is true every time we stop and put on the “mask” on the way in the door. Some of that is the fault of people who think they have to be perfect to approach God, but part of that is the fact that we know very little about the people we worship with — OUTSIDE of the church doors. If we were out getting involved in their lives and the issues they care about — visiting their workplaces, and eating lunch with them, hanging out on Friday night, we would know more about who they really are and what they need. I am just as guilty as any other person — and I DON’T think it’s the job of just the pastors or the leadership. But I know there seems to be a big divide between what I do all week (the things I worry about, struggles I face, ideals I aspire to) and what we discuss on Sunday morning. It’s not that either one is wrong, (and don’t get me wrong, religious teachings affect and inspire the other choices) but sometimes they seem to exist in different worlds.

For example, I don’t think I’ve ever heard Africa mentioned in church, unless it’s a plea for money for missions. I’d like to know what’s REALLY going on in Darfur, and how the church could help. I don’t want the church to tell me who to vote for (or worse, who GOD would vote for) but I would like a chance to talk about a Christian/biblical view of some of the issues and how to decide in an increasingly secular environment, what the best choices are. I appreciated the prayers when I was looking for a job, but it would be nice to have a “networking center” where people could drop off their resumes and other members could keep an eye out for relevant openings where they work. It would be nice to have a listing of businesses so when my water line broke or my transmission needed replacing, I knew someone honest to take it too. It’s not about money or charity, it’s about being a community and caring about ALL of life — not just the religious part.

I know this is way more than you ever wanted, but I think that’s what stops a lot of people from ever coming to church — regardless of their personal beliefs about God. I have heard from so many people that they don’t NEED the church — they can worship God anywhere. That’s because the church does not seem relevant to the rest of their life — they think of it as a bunch of 1) authority figures who want to tell them what to do, 2) hypocrites who say one thing and do something opposite, or 3) a crutch for people who can’t make it on their own.

It seems to me that Jesus spent far more time hanging out with people than he did in a church building. I think the same thing must have been true in his day……..

Thanks for allowing me to share my thought!

or

come together on this issue if they want to make a difference.