Thursday, September 04, 2003
Church: the rules have changed
Automata 5.0
There I sat. Often I had come to this place in the hopes of one of them, just one of them, realizing the love of God like I had. I know that they all loved me as one of their best friends, but there was always a wall in my face when it came to sharing anything about my faith. I could only imagine where playing a simple word game would get me. "Church?... theological chauvinism." "Christian?... judgmental, elitist, hypocrite... dare I go on?" "Oh, but you are a cool Christian," they would assure me, not like the ones they were so quick to spit at. They had become so cold towards a "church culture" they felt had hurt them or abandoned them, that they refused to even acknowledge the true character of Christ. Sure, Christ was a cool guy, but they wanted nothing to do with him because of "followers". They were hurt, alone, and scared, to the point of constantly fighting depression and suicidal tendencies. They were desperate for something spiritual, but not finding solace in the church, they turned to anything and everything else they could find some sort of belonging in, and some level of spirituality. Never wanting to return to God again, out of fear of being beaten by a cold and distant father. Church had become the last place they would look for love and acceptance.
How did we get to this place? Has the Church so separated ourselves from unbelievers that we have made it almost impossible to reach out to and help the very ones who we claim that we are called to help? I remember the times when Church was viewed as a place to learn and grow, that now we only read about. I remember when the Church was seen as a refuge for the poor, the hungry, the downtrodden, believers and unbelievers alike. A place full of love and acceptance, where "come as you are" is the motto. When ministers were seen as some of the most well educated people in the community, and the Church was an intricate part of that community. When Church was a public building, for all people, not just for the "worshippers", and not only open for worship services, but for any time. Where do we go from here? How do we re-emerge the Church as the refuge and sought after place it used to be and was always meant to be?
The past few generations have been called "the emerging generation", and with them has come a breaking free of the traditions that have become deemed as going nowhere in this new culture. We have a longing for community, a need for a creative outlet, and a desire to experience the mystical and deeply spiritual aspects of God. What is relevant to our culture? As I look for the places that are sought after, I see coffee houses, concert venues, places to hang out, places to be a part, and places where we can express ourselves, places where we can just rest, read, or just be still with God, places where we are both productive and rested. This is Church, a place where everyday-life and spirituality mesh.
In the words of Steve Collins:
- Imagine the unlocking of the doors.
- Imagine the re-emergence of church interiors as public spaces in the city.
- Imagine if the worship installations could stay up all the time.
- Imagine your local church building as an open-doored hangout.
- Imagine sofas, visuals, newspapers, books, food, drink.
- Imagine a church with good coffee.
- Imagine a church with plenty of places to plug in your laptop.
- Imagine opening hours 10am to midnight.
- Imagine spiritual resources and personal space available at all times.
- Imagine a place to work, rest and pray.
Your living room only bigger.
Your life only bigger.1
Next time you are out at a concert or having a cup of coffee, find a place in the back by yourself and take some time to soak in your environment. Ask God to open your spiritual eyes. What needs are being met in the people around you by being there? What really draws them to that place time and time again? Notice the emotions in the room; the music, the conversation, the community, the culture. Ask God to tell you how you can begin to restore His "Church" to these people. Wait. Write down the answer.
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1Steve Collins - used by permission
