The Invisible Church Split - Part II

I previously introduced the idea that the church has a large division between the young and the old. Today I want to explore some of the issues this causes on both a small and large scale. Check out Part I for more background info!

 imagecred: richardwintle via AventuresInWonderland

Locally

This is extremely difficult to nail down simply because it begins so subtly. I have a hard time deciding what I think is healthy and what is unhealthy. However, when the young don't honor the old and the old don't teach the young, both groups suffer. 

Untaught young Christians grow into weak old Christians. This causes the local church to flounder in areas of Biblical literacy, evangelism and seeking righteousness. "Old Christians" (wherever the divide may fall in any particular body) who don't experience the process of bringing others along in their walk, begin to lack understanding for those in a less mature stage of their walk. This can lead to criticism of those with struggles inside the church (and possible denial of their own) as well as eventually causing an apathy for the unsaved.

I think this also circles back around. When the elders in the church don't have compassion for the lost in sin, young people begin to polarize. You either have to be a "church person" and separate themselves from the world completely or choose to be in it. I see so many teens and young adults fall into sinful lifestyles partly because they've been told they can't be around "those kinds of people" or "those kinds of activities". They feel shame around Christians because they've been told they're guilty of sin if they break their fathers extra-Biblical commandments. 

Regionallly

Regional areas and countries fall into their own bad habits. Though we most likely all struggle with very similar things, certain cultural aspects have an effect on a divided church. One of the major ones in the US is the death of old congregations and the emergence of churches heavily weighted in numbers of young people. Many of these churches are planted and then dwindle withing a few years because of the lack of elderly wisdom. Because of the importance of social classes, in the UK there are large churches in prominent areas struggling with being superficial and lukewarm. No one wants to man up and cross lines that would make them uncomfortable. 

Globally

Internationally, I think there is actually some benefit to this sad problem. While worldwide evangelism and disciple-making see their fair share of neglect, they also get the unhealthy church's "rejects".

For example, my pastor's wife was telling me a tragic story of a missionary she knows losing his wife. As she described him she noted that he's someone people describe as "over the top" (for instance taking his wife and children to spread the gospel in the islamic middle east) but that she felt like he embodied what Jesus described for all believers to look like. 

Similarly, we had a leader who tried to explain to us that since we were so bent on making disciples, we might want to go overseas. He wasn't sure we really fit around here.

While churches all over sit in their abundance and barely acknowledge people and places who need their prayers, efforts and resources, at least they send them the best disciple makers they have (unfortunately, to it's own detriment).

What kind of issues to you find affecting your local/regional church? What other consequences do you see that I didn't hit here?

Comment/Email your answer!

Dear disciples: please leave America.

My husband and I have recently been approached by some influential people (in our lives) about our approach to reaching the lost. The overtone of all of these conversations ended up being that maybe we're cut out for missionary work overseas somewhere. So for the past couple weeks I've tried to figure out why they think this is true and what that thought process implies for the local church and global church.

So here are as many of the attitudes and opinions (for lack of a better term) that I could think of that might have led those people to their conclusions.

-Western Christians have chosen to forget what our resources (money, time, energy, skills etc) should be spent on.

-The overtone regarding outreach has become very event based and internal (w/in church walls) and has removed a feeling of personal responsibility to share the gospel from believers.

-There is a very specific use for short term mission trips. If you are not going to establish a long term relationship in that context, you had better be edifying of assisting someone who is committed to discipleship there.

-God's Word, Grace, plan of redemption and other Truths do not need to be made attractive.

-One of the more controversial opinions I hold: church (in the Sunday Service sense) is almost completely for believers. Yes, people get saved in church services, but I think they come in knowing their void needs filled. The purpose of such a gathering is to worship God corporately and edify the Body so that believers rare equipped to GO OUT AND REACH THE LOST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. Therefore, we shouldn't worry about pretty buildings, pretty people, offending people (as long as Truth is being spoken on Love & grace), and useless inefficient hype.

-One two-hour service a week is not enough spiritual food. On top of personal studies, some sort of group/one-on-one study and accountability is necessary for growth.

-the theology and doctrine within many sermons and musical worship is weak, if present at all.

-Everone is called to missions and everyone can do something for the global church outside in a global context. Anyone who uses the "I'm called to fill in their city" had better be doing some mega-hardcore local ministry.

-Salvation and discipleship is a personal process that is unique to each situation. It is not just a raised hand or a program or a class that people do and then they're a part of the club.

I think I've gotten most of the things that they recounted as evidence of our missional attitude. So apparently, the fact that I hold these opinions means I am a prime candidate for overseas missions. If I felt that God was asking me to do that, I would be gone ASAP. I've actually asked God if He wouldn't mind sending me somewhere else, couldn't I be of better use where people would just let me disciple people?!

Anyways, what alarms me is that the information they based their conclusions on seems to be necessary for the church wherever it's located. I feel like if this qualifies me for ministry outside of America, what does ministry look like in America? Why can't a person be passionate about discipleship and building the Body from the person up and not from the congregational meeting down? My husband sat in tears telling one person that the young people in our city are what he's passionate about. Almost like he didn't believe my husband, that person responded by saying AGAIN that we need to pray about what God really wants to do with us and where he would best use our passions. It's really hard for me to be comfortable doing what God's word demands of me when people tell me that I should do it somewhere else. Why do so many Christians feel like big church is for America and Jesus-style discipleship is for Indonesia?

Inspired by Margaret. Again.

Wile browsing Margaret Feinberg's page, I found her asking once again: what do you love about Jesus? I also found a blog on "making it" in the writing business. Her thoughts were honest and brief. In short she says its difficult and blogging is a good start. Since one of the things I love most about Jesus is something I've wanted to write a book about for some time, I think I'll briefly blog about it.

The are at least fifteen instances in the New Testament in which Jesus is described as going up to the mountain, or to a desolate place as the ESV calls it. Some of these are the same instance in more than one Gospel, but I can't but help thinking that makes it even more noteworthy.

Readers, I've shared before that I did much of my physical and spiritual growing in the mountains. But I cant help but feel like there's a bigger and better reason that I connect with my Savior so well there. We were made for that kind of communion and intimacy with Him. While I'm worshipping on the crag there are others doing the same on a beach. Still others sit on a barren plane and pour their hearts out to the Almighty.

I truly believe that we function like a race car would on unleaded when we attempt to be fruitful Sons and Daughters without good alone time. Anyone who has developed a consistent quiet time will tell you that it's miserable to go without it. Martin Luther once said that He was so busy that he absolutely must spend three hours a day in prayer. What a concept!

What would happen if we treated our busy lives like that? The more obligations we have; the more time spent in intimacy with the Source?

I challenge you to go out of your way to spend at least 30 minutes a day with Him this week. If you already do, double your time! See the difference! Read, pray and listen. Be comfortable with the stillness of His presence. The enemy will try and talk you out of it, but if you persevere you will feel rejuvenated even in weariness. and you will intern be dangerous for the Kingdom.

I Find God In the Mountains

I find God elsewhere, but it just doesn't feel the same as the mountains. During the business of life it takes a lot of conscious effort to sit down with my Bible to read and pray. It's an even bigger struggle to patiently wait until I feel the peace of God's presence. For me to linger even longer for His guidance in Bible study and my life's current issues almost causes over-exertion. The to-do list on my fridge calls my name.

It's hard for me to find God's joy, until I step on a trail. It's as if I scurry around and God is just an arm's length away. He's there and we converse, but we're not really intimate. As soon as I enter the refuge of the lodge-pole pines, I feel as if God has wrapped His arms around me.

Maybe it started at summer camp. I've been a Christian for about 17 years. When I was a child, my parents sent me to the mountains for at least one week every summer for kids' camp and eventually teen camp. Even when we were stationed at a military installation overseas, I managed to go to a retreat that included climbing Mt. Fuji. Much of my spiritual growth happened at these camps.

There's just something about being removed from cell phone reception, schedules and the burdens of "real life". I was forced to concentrate on the tasks at hand; hiking, floating a river and getting to know the Creator of the wonders around me. With so many distractions removed I soaked up everything each speaker said. When they set aside time for devotions, I found a place where I couldn't hear or see people. The only sounds were that of creaking trees, scurrying squirrels and the rushing river.

Jesus often retreated to the wilderness to be alone or pray. My favorite is in John 6:15 after He fed the five thousand. The people were amazed at His miracles. The verse says, "Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone." One of my biggest struggles is pride. This is often manifested in a desire to be recognized. When Jesus knew it was not time for Him to be exalted, He retreated to the mountainside.

The mountains became such a haven for me that even at a young age my parents recognized and utilized it. My parents did foster care and I connected with a few of the girls in really cool ways. Unfortunately one young lady, whom I consider a sister to this day, provoked me to my tipping point and ended up with a bloody nose. To calm me down and figure out what was going on my dad immediately got me in the truck and drove to one of my favorite spring hunting spots. We hiked around and just picked wild flowers and watched bear cubs while God slowly worked on my heart.

Did Jesus receive this same assurance from the Father while in the wilderness? I don't know. He sure went there a lot. One thing I am sure of; I am truly blessed to live here.