The following blog is Inspired by conversations with current leaders in the church, those that worked in the church at one time, and those that are current church goers and those avoid church at all costs due to the hurts they have experienced.
I was reflecting this morning on these conversations, the shootings in Texas, the SBC releasing all the cover up that that did for years of those accused of sexual abuse and just my own view of where the church finds itself now.
First, I thought of one of my favorite quotes from one of the greatest movies of all time.
Luke Skywalker asks Yoda, is the dark side of the force stronger?
Yoda’s response:
Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.
The church and church goers have slipped into a place of being a group of angry folks. Angry about politics, about schools, about sports, about news, about anything that they can justify in a loose way from Scripture or what they have heard about Scripture. Ask folks how they see “Christians now” - I am talking about those on the outside of the church. I believe 9/10 times answer will be: The church are people that are against ________.
Are those that follow Jesus supposed to be known by the things we are against or thing that we are for, ie life in Jesus?
I think the church as slipped into a place of anger because it is easier. We don’t have to work at it to be angry, right? We just can get there so easily.
Now, in a day a time that it is often said by church-goers that we must reclaim or win back that which we have lost (this is mostly a cultural and political statement) - I believe there is another place that really needs our attention and needs to reclaimed and re-practiced.
Repentance. The church in many places has become distracted by lesser things. Things are just things yet when things are lifted up above God, they become idols. And the answer of when idols come up in our lives - repent. Turn around, release that which we are holding so that we can grab a hold of God once again.
In the Old Testament, many times the people of God become distracted by idols. And God does not take this lightly. I think the church would do well to hear again the words of Hosea:
14 For I will be like a lion to Ephraim,
like a great lion to Judah.
I will tear them to pieces and go away;
I will carry them off, with no one to rescue them.
15 Then I will return to my lair
until they have borne their guilt
and seek my face—
in their misery
they will earnestly seek me.”
6 “Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.
2 After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.
3 Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
The New International Version (Ho 5:14–6:3). (2011). Zondervan.
I know that I can not fix all that ails culture and society.
I know that I can not heal the church, but I can speak to the church and use my voice to say, now is the time repent.
Now is the time to return to God.
Now is the time to seek Him with all that we have.
Those that have ears, let them hear.
kp