Words from the WellRandom Thoughts on Christ, the Church and Technology

I go to a church that whose community has changed radically in the past 15 years.  We have not done much to react to this change.  Life has gone on with membership being bolstered by a very personable pastor, a faithful membership and a few heads being stuck in the sand.  In the last 8 years this church has gone through some significant changes that have had negative effects on the church.  The realization is beginning to set in.  We must do something.  Needless to say there are plenty of ideas bouncing around.  One of the most popular discussions out there is how we can reach our community.  We seem to be looking for that “magic bullet.” That amazing program, or worship service, or whatever that will magically connect with a community that looks very little like the rest of the church.

While studying and reading today I had an epiphany.  Now to must of you this won’t sound particularly profound, in fact, you may think, “duh.”  Anyway, here goes…we don’t need to do anything more than being Christ and loving our community.  If we continue to look at our community as though they are different, we will continue to send the message that we are better than they are.  This is certainly not the message of Christ.

I think that too many churches are looking for the next magic bullet.  The next thing that will separate them and magically make them attractive to outsiders.  I have great news for you.  You already have it.  It’s called love.  Jesus wants you to love those around you.  Whether they look like you, think like you or act like you is irrelevant.  God says to love them.  As I write this two old hymns have come to mind. First, we must remember where we have come from  and that Christ died for everyone, “Alas and did my Savior bleed…for such a worm as I…”  We need to get back in touch with our worminess (yes, I said worm. I know that many hymnals have replaced that with sinner, fool, etc. but I like worm, so there) and remember that we are not so different from those around us and we are certainly not better than anyone.  Second, “They will know we are Christians by our love…”  Not by our worship style, not by our Sunday School attendance, not by how we dress for church, not by any of the traditional standards that we try to place on people, but by our love.

We must learn to shout “Jesus love you” to our communities, our friends, our neighbors and our co-workers. We do this with our lives, living sold out to Jesus.

What are you doing that shouts “Jesus loves you?”

UPDATE: I warned you that this “epiphany” was nothing new. After I posted this I found this post on Dino Rizzo’s blog.