We apologize beforehand for this rant. We were just talking and had to get it out…
We do a lot for God in the western church.
We have great “talks” about practical life issues, using His word as a template for the hot topics of today. We have five ways to become a better wife/husband/parent/businessperson, and a follow-up podcast with small group curriculum to boot. This is the prophetic declaration of God’s word.
We sing passionate songs about him (sometimes to him) so that we can share our excitement with anyone who cares to listen. We especially enjoy it when they sing along and possibly smile. We’re thrilled if a handful of them lift their hands. This is worship.
We send hundreds of young men and women out of our churches and into the the far reaches to share his Word. Ironically, His word looks a lot like prepackaged western culture, complete with American prosperity, American values, and the American dream. This is missions.
We gather our teenagers in back basements and multipurpose rooms, dreaming of a generation who finally gets around to rising up. Secretly we hope that our games, Christian-flavored stand-up comedy, and skits can coax at least half of them into actually keeping their faith. This is youth ministry.
We’ve heard the impassioned cry that “God just wants you!” We nod our heads, applaud loudly, then turn back to our distractions and our excuses like warm, fuzzy blankets.
Alex and I have decided that all this stuff…it’s not working.
Now we just have to figure out what is.
Sounds like somebody is ripe for a reread of Red Moon Rising.