Pondering the Future of the Church

This week I offered to make a presentation at our local Baptist Network's annual meeting on the topic, "The Future of the Church." It seems a bit presumptuous of me, I know, to think that I - or anyone else for that matter - can offer an assessment of the future of the church! Yet I did just that and primarily because church health, church decline and student choices have been foremost on my mind lately. So in the next few entries, I want to reflect on this issue, in part to justify my reasons for making this attempt and also simply to clarify my thinking.

The future of the church.

In the nineteenth century, John Nelson Darby, among others, generated a mindset among Protestant believers that increased an expectation of the immanent return of Christ. This expectation was fanned into a brush fire as culture became increasingly antagonistic to the institutional church and its doctrinal positions. As culture in the West became more secular in orientation through the twentieth century, preachers, theologians and general church membership began to "prepare for the rapture" and neglect the weightier aspects of the church's mission of evangelism and justice. But this very emotional expectation could not be readily maintained after the turn of the millennium as it became obvious that Jesus' return, though immanent, did not progress according to our human calendar.

Thus, the church in the West began a process of introspection and reformation that continues to this day. The older mindset of immanent departure is slowly giving way to a younger mindset focused on an authentic Trinitarian experience and service to the causes of justice, love and peacemaking. This transition has created a "tempest in a teapot" for the institutional church in the West - who now views the future with great skepticism and even pessimism.

The future of the church.

The future of "the" church really isn't in doubt. The church of Jesus Christ, the Bride of Christ, the Body of Christ will exist into eternity as such until Christ returns. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 / Revelation 19-21). The church will exist because it is the body of Christ and as such, has a task on earth to engage and complete. This is the testimony of faith and history. The question is, "In what form will the church exist?"

The future of the church.

Modern Christians in the West (America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, etc) became complacent in the institutional Church. In the last 40 years, biblical and theological literacy declined tremendously as technology increased and as the modern trust in science as savior became increasingly commonplace. The Puritan and Pietist zeal found in the early years of the Reformation was in full retreat in the face of the modern scientific onslaught. The only "fire" to be found in the Western Church was found in the Pentecostal movements as birthed initially in the Azusa street revivals of the early twentieth century. This temporary fire was "bleed over" from the Great Awakenings of the 18th century, but slowed tremendously when the millennial fervor over the immanent return of Jesus waned. In the aftermath of the crisis the institutional church faced in the 1960s and 70s, the church in the West became a "seeking" or an "emerging" church. Disillusioned by the theological failures and liturgical irrelevance of the modern, institutional church, Christians in Western culture began trying to resuscitate or even create more viable models of the church based upon scripture and tradition. Thus, the "non-denominational" church, the "seeker-sensitive" church, the "purpose-driven" church and the "emerging" church burst upon the scene. Nevertheless, a great - though aging - remnant of the modern institutional church remains entrenched in its beliefs and practices. And so the Church in the West, particularly the English speaking West, is mired in transition and marked by conflict as it tries to figure out who and what it is. There are no easy answers.

Yet, as contemporary Christians learn to navigate tempest of postmodern culture, and, become biblically and theologically informed; then the church will emerge again as the living body of Christ. As the living Body of Christ, the church is people - indwelled by the Spirit, focused on Christ and giving glory to the Father. We are drawn together by the Spirit to join in the mission of Christ in this world. How that will look.... well, is yet to be determined.

We will continue again next time in this trajectory.

Let me know what you think!

Grace and peace...

I stand amazed...

Well, the journey continues. It is a new school year and classes have begun. Although part of me, deep inside, was not ready for the year to start - my semester last Spring ended poorly - this new semester has gotten off to an amazing start. I am teaching four classes: two sections of Old Testament introduction, Introduction to Theological Reflection and my favorite: Theology and Culture. The fact that I am teaching these classes is not why I am amazed. Yesterday, after my first Old Testament class, I had a line of students asking me questions about faith and their own faith journey. I stayed an extra 27 minutes after class was finished just answering these questions. What a joy! That is why I answered the call to teach!

Between the ages of 17 and 30 (roughly) we enter into an existential crisis. We ask ourselves the questions, "who am I", "why am I here", "what do I believe", "why do I believe it" and "do I believe it enough to actually live it?" That is where these students are, and at a very basic level, I have been given the opportunity to guide these students through the process of answering these questions.

Although I wonder sometimes how much longer my call will remain here, I know why I am here and I stand amazed at God's plan - that Father, Son and Spirit would use this cracked, broken vessel (me) to be an instrument of His love, wisdom and story. I stand amazed at how He is working in these student's lives. I stand amazed at the changes that take place in the student body when students, faculty and staff embrace the work of the living, dynamic, Triune God in their lives.

I think the most amazing truth though is how He is transforming me in this process as well. When we submit ourselves to God's desire for our lives, He completes us. To be complete means to be changed to suit God's design, but additionally, it means to be satisfied. Change is never easy; but one of the things that smoothes the process is understanding. I understand why God is changing me; I know the areas of my life that He needs to transform in order for me to be what He has called me to be... and I am grateful. Then there is satisfaction. As I operate in the arena to which God has called me, I am satisfied.

So I stand amazed: amazed at my students, my wonderful friends, my precious family, my beautiful God and more than anything, I stand amazed at how God is changing me before my very eyes.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Keeping Your Head Above Water!

Have you ever gone swimming when you were tired? I am sure most of you have. But then while you were swimming, did you get even more tired and find yourself at a place where you were in over your head and treading water? Well I'm there. How do we allow ourselves to get to into these places in our lives? Is it a lack of wisdom? Is it a personality quirk? It is probably a bit of both. Anyway, I'm there. I've got enough irons in the fire for about 4 careers with no end in sight. So now I'm simply looking for the shore so I can rest. I know that I will be able to divest myself of some of these stresses in the near future. Now, for those of you who know me, I'm on a quest not to pick up anymore. I don't want anymore. I certainly don't need anymore!

For me - and here's my self-diagnosis! - I get into these jams when I start doing things without carefully praying through them and seeking God's wisdom. These "opportunities" look good, so I commit without thinking and praying them through completely. Again, there is nothing "bad" here, other than I am worn out, short with my family and unhappy with myself for taking on so much.

Things brings us back to an important note: life is a journey with God. He allows us to make decisions and commit to things even when He knows that we will become overwhelmed. Why? Because I believe he knows that we will end back up in His arms. Because life has always been about the journey and less about the destination.

Must go for now. Need to finish a couple of obligations.

Pax Christi.

How much do friends mean to you???

This past weekend I had a crazy wonderful experience. I spent real time with old friends.

I had the opportunity to go to San Antonio and be a part of a regional drum corps event. For those of you who don't know what that is, "drum corps" is professional marching band. For those purists out there, I know I just offended you, but hang with me anyway. Drum Corps is an activity unlike any other, but the closest thing I can compare it to is marching band. 120-150 young men and women from the ages of roughly 16-22 spend their summer competing against other groups all over the country. I've been a drum corps adjudicator off and on since 1993, so it was a great privilege to be a part of this event.

I arrived in San Antonio at 1pm last Saturday and met an old friend of mine from junior high school. We are now in our mid-40s. We had not spent real time together since the late 1970s, so this was a treat. We talked up until the time of the competition; we talked after the competition - it was as if nothing had changed. Our friendship was that solid, that connected. Brent is a lawyer, a musician, an educator and a friend who loves God.

After the competition - 11:30pm or so - we headed over to my favorite restaurant in the El Mercado - Mi Tierra - for a reunion of sorts with some other old 'acquaintances' of mine from my old drum corps: the Sky Ryders, from Hutchinson, Kansas. As we waited for our table, I didn't see any of them; which kind of unnerved me. But within minutes, I heard a voice: "Hey Jay!" I would've known that voice anywhere. I turned around and there she was, one of my dearest old friends - Kathleen. The girl who taught me to love oreo cookies; the only UT graduate I have ever been able to really tolerate and the only girl friend I have that is taller than me! Kat and I marched together in the Sky Ryders - she played mallets and I played baritone. We were one unlikely pair of bus partners! Although she grew up a cradle Catholic, Kat came to know and love the Lord after she got married. And there she was, still the radiant girl after all these years. So Alan (her husband), Brent, Kat and I occupied a table, eating chips, queso, salsa and other spanish hors d'oeuvres until 3 am! We laughed and talked and laughed again until we knew we were too old to be out that late. We said good bye in the bakery of Mi Tierra and Kat gave me one of those lingering hugs that tells you that nothing has really changed in your friendship. The next morning, after a heavy sleep, I woke up, packed up and said good bye to Brent. Gave him a big hug too. It was good. I will see him again in a few weeks.

This whole experience reminded me how important friends really are and how much they mean to me. The root meaning of the word "friend" means "to love." How true it is. I love my wife, my daughters and my family. Indeed, I have a covenant love with my wife; but as special as that is, I love my friends too. I need my friends. All of us need friends.

There have been times in my life where I didn't think I needed friends; or that it was better simply to "go it alone." I was wrong. I need my friends. In a real way, they make me who I am. Friends make the difficult times tolerable and the good times joyous. They make life worth celebrating. They help us to bear the burdens when we don't think we can go one step further. They love us, even when we feel ...unlovable... to ourselves.

I've been blessed with many friends, male and female, young and old. I rejoice in all of them. Each one is unique and uniquely blesses me. When I am in difficulties with one of them, it gives me great pain until the grievance can be resolved and forgiveness shared.

We need friends. You and I were created for just that purpose: to love one another. To make our friend list grow longer and our enemy list become nonexistent. Let me challenge you to do just that. Make a new friend today or tomorrow; patch up a relationship with an old friend in the same way. Whatever you do, don't let this day go by until you tell at least one of your friends how much they mean to you.

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay his life down for his friends." John 15:13

Simple Gifts

Aaron Copland used the Quaker melody "Simple Gifts" as the heart of his great ballet, "Appalachian Spring." The tune is a simple, yet beautiful diatonic melody with lovely lyrics that has become a staple of American culture. The tune reminds me that sometimes, the simplest gifts can be the best and indeed, that it is those simple gifts that yield the greatest pleasures.

On a recent trip to one of my favorite islands in the world, Orcas Island, I was perusing a local artists wares, when I happened to come upon a bowl of "pocket pieces." These pieces were shaped like shells or fish or porpoises or simply little round shapes. Each piece had a simple statement on back: "live simply", "giggle", "delight", "touch hearts", "explore" or "joy". As Melissa and I left the shop, I purchased a handful of these little "pocket pieces" - I figured they were unique and easy to pack, so they would work well as mementos for friends back home. So we returned and I have handed them out, one by one or two by two, to family and friends at home.

To my great surprise, these little pieces have brought more joy than I could have imagined. Like "pocket crosses", I have found that the littlest pieces can bring the greatest joy. One of my colleagues received the fish that says, "giggle" on back. He tells me that he actually "giggles" when he runs across it in his pocket. Another received the piece that says "explore" - He said it reminds him that he needs to spend more time on adventures with his son. An older friend of mine received the little shell-shaped piece that says "touch hearts" - he says that when he puts his hand in his pocket, he finds the little shell and puts his thumb in it. He says it reminds him that as Christians, we are in the "heart touching business." And the list goes on....

Gary Chapman says my "love language" is words of affirmation and physical touch. Maybe that is true, what I do know is that I like to give and I like to make a difference. I realize that little things make a big difference. One does not always have to hit a "home run" to make a difference. Sometimes a smile and a kind word will do.

Let me challenge you, my friends, to make a difference with a simple gift: a smile, a pebble, a quick hug, a word of appreciation. Sometimes that is all it takes to change a day or a life.

Finding Our Way...

It has been an interesting summer thus far. I've encountered a number of emotional bumps, several trials and more than my fair share of temptations. The temptations have been minor, the emotional bumps have been severe at times and the trials, well, they've been tough. But in all of this, I continue to realize an important fact: the end is the journey. How we manage the emotions, temptations and trials is just as important as the end they bring.

As human beings in a Western culture, we are taught to aspire to great things: education, status, power and even wealth. As Christians in a Western culture, this cultural imperative sends conflicting messages: on the one hand, we are taught by some theological perspectives that God wants to bless us through our obedience; on the other hand, we are taught that the trappings of status, power and wealth are simply that - a trap. In the end, the pursuit of those things don't bring happiness and stability. So now - as Christians - we are confused... what do we do? What should our end goal be? How should we navigate life?

Well, the truth is, what we do here and now dictates how we will "end up." As Christians, our Spirit-infused character is the key to the joy of life.

Lately, I've encountered people who have the material goods of life and the means to enjoy it; yet they don't live in "joy." Their lives tend to be driven by the 'stuff' or 'status' they desire or have inherited... thus the daily events and joys of real life are lost on them; or better, for some of them, their situation has trapped them in a loop from which they cannot find release - thus they can see the possibility of joy, but it eludes them. It brings me great sadness to witness these scenes.

Please don't think me arrogant or impartial at this point: I'm as guilty as anyone else. I want the stuff and the status too. Indeed, I blog these thoughts in order to better understand myself in light of the life that Christ desires for me. I want the joy of living and I want to find my way, the way that will bring me the life and joy Christ desires for me.

So here is my nugget of truth today: the well-lived life is not found in the what, but in the how. It is not 'what' we accumulate - education, status, power or wealth; but in 'how' we live. The small decisions - the character choices - we make in and for our lives every day. That is how we find our way and that is how we garner the joy of living.

Loving People...

I don't know how He did it.

Loving (agapao) people I mean.

Jesus had this incredible way of loving everyone, even the ones who despised, wounded and killed Him. I find that incredible. Breathtaking even.

Personally, I have a hard time with it. I'd like to think that it should be easier for me; but it's not. The whole Theologian-Scholar-Pastor thing suggests that I know the meaning, importance, implications and complications of love. Even though I have studied the topic seriously; written papers on it and tried to embrace the concept - I find that more often than not I simply miss the boat.

Why?

I have feelings and they get hurt. I want the love returned and its not. I am human and I get tired of the pain... I am a middle-aged man and I believe that I should get a break... (ha!) Being crucified is painful...

And there is the rub. God is willing to go the mat for me. That is love. He went all the way; no questions asked.

I guess the question that faces me, faces us, is: are we willing to go to the mat; to go the distance... for love? Are we willing to 'sacrifice' our ego for love? Are we willing to give it all up for love? Are we willing to love and never see that love returned... for His sake... to endure the pain of truly loving? I wish I could always say, "of course!" But sometimes I feel too weak and tired; too hurt; too human...

I loved a bunch of kids and former church members this last week - hopefully, as Jesus himself does - and I may never see them again.

In the last 36 hours I've seen three of my best friends and tried to love them with all of my heart... I pray that they know that love deeply.

Loving people is difficult; they may not love you back. Heck, they may despise you. But the key to loving isn't them - it's not his, her or their response - its you and Him.

When you love (agapao) anyone - you are loving Him. It's not about the friend, family member, enemy or anonymous recipient of love - it's about you loving God in that person.

And so each day I'm going to love. Maybe I will get a smile, a :-) or a thank you... maybe I'll get an "I love you too" or not...

It won't matter.

Because in the end, I'm loving Him... God.