Thanks to everyone who commented on yesterday's "ideas needed" post. I've passed your suggestions along to the church guy and they are much appreciated...and might eventually be implemented. Who knows?
Since you were so helpful yesterday, I'd like to pose another question and see how you might respond to it. Because I've written a few advice books -- Pocket Guide to Adulthood for 20somethings and A Guy's Guide to Life for teens -- I occasionally get sincere questions about certain issues from readers. I can't answer all of them, but I do try to answer a few as I have time.
Yesterday I received the following email from a young man who is a senior in high school and seems to be pretty thoughtful. Read his questions below. (He's agreed to allow me to post this, though I've edited out any identifying stuff to keep it anonymous.)
If you're so inclined, I'd love to hear what you might say in response.
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Dear Jason,
Recently I've had a growing sense of frustration with the American Church in general and value your advice (and I'll try to not make sweeping generalizations where one bad experience labels Christians everywhere).
But recently my Humanities class took a look at the genocide, cruelty and injustice that has ravaged the Darfur region of Sudan. My heart broke for the people as they related tale after tale of rape, murder, slaughter and starvation. One PBS video criticized the UN and Bush's administration for essentially ignoring or understating the problem, but in disgust I asked, "Where is the church? Where are the advocates of the orphan and widow, the hands and feet of God reaching to the least of these?" I can't help but question our incentives as we construct multi-million dollar facilities, skate parks, game rooms, and coffee shops that are built for our own comfort, while the world is bleeding all around us. Couldn't those resources be better used to hold our palms against their wounds and cater to the needs of the hurting?
Not that I am above that affluence; as I write this I gorge myself on a plate of chicken in the comfort of a large home and later plan to drive in my truck that costs thousands of dollars. I don't know, I guess my point is that I struggle to see the practicality of the extravagant money spent of making our churches comfortable. I know that the rich need to be ministered to, but wasn't the only thing Paul and Barnabas were asked to do was to remember the poor, the very thing they were eager to do? As I read the gospels, it appears to me that things like comfort, fashion and entertainment weren't very important to Jesus. I'll be the first to admit to my own greed, pride and lust for comfort and the plank in my own eye; but should or shouldn't our churches prioritize service to the hurting and poor community? Is there a balance in there somewhere?
That's what's been on my heart lately and I can't really figure it out, and I appreciate you taking the time to look at this.
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Serious questions. How would you respond?
3 comments:
It's good to see a high school senior with some sense of both theology and humanity.
First thing I'd say is, well, keep exploring and being honest with yourself and know that you won't be able to change all of American Christianity until you change yourself.
I know, sounds kind of trite and cliche' - but it's the best I've got right now.
Seriously, I think this student is showing more insight than many people twice his age and I hope he continues without falling into the trap of bitter cynicism (been there - not a fun place after a couple of days).
The kid makes a great point, but I'm not sure the church isn't involved. If you do a quick Google Search you'll find lots of missionaries in Darfur.
It is rare, however, that anyone would report that unless there were some improprieties with said missionaries.
Also, I'm not sure we can abandon our "outreach" here (skate parks, coffee shops, etc.) to do more oversees. That's throwing the baby out with the bath water. However, we can try to strike a better balance and maybe go out more than we invite people to come to us (which is often less expensive).
Ultimately the church is made up of individuals. We each have to take responsibility whether its in our neighborhood or in Darfur.
Some very, very thought provoking writing done by a high school student. I think Ken makes a good point when he says that we must change ourselves. Pointing the finger at "the Church" only creates a bitter cynicism that isn't an agent of change, rather a stumbling block to sin.
I believe the point this student is making about Darfur isn't necessarily that we need more missionaries in Darfur (which we do), but rather just one example of where the Church is falling short.
The Church is spending millions of dollars on new buildings and cool presentations on Sunday mornings while people everywhere (Darfur and Armarillo, TX) are hungry and hurting. There is something fundamentally wrong with the Church when people come to be entertained. Jesus told us to bring the Good News to the lost, not create a really cool experience so more of the lost will choose to come in and have some coffee.
An arterial issue that comes along with the extravagant spending and comfort that affluent Churches have created is the fact that affluent Christians have insulated themselves from any sort of interaction with the poor. I'm not sure where most "believers" will be when He separates us into the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25).
I don't have any answers. I do know that the Church is the Bride of Christ and change must happen for us to see His Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven.
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