Uncovering an Ethos - Part 2
A few years ago, it was inferred by an older Christian that I had a "chip on my shoulder" regarding church. Although this criticism stung a little, I spent some time really trying to determine if it was true. The comment came in the midst of a very difficult conversation, one I was quite sure there was little hope that I would be able to adequately explain myself. Eventually, I realized that I did have a "chip" after all, but it wasn't in regards to church. It was because I felt on several occasions misunderstood, not listened to, and not respected.
What if a group of people decided that instead of defending their boundaries of who is "in" or "out", "right" or "wrong", "leader" or "follower", that they instead determined to engage each other as human beings, sinners, and children of God? At that starting place, there are several things that happen in that group of people all at once. First of all, it leaves little room for ego to rear its ugly head. Second, judgmentalism in all of its forms takes a back seat to hospitality, freedom, and compassion. Finally, an environment is fostered where "fitting in" has nothing to do with how well you measure up to what the group determines is cool or what might classify you as a misfit.
I am learning to let go of that "chip" that I described above. However, that process is not something natural or even encouraged in most Christian contexts. If you are "in", you are taught to root out error, expose heresy, keep the boundaries safe and secure. If you are "out", you are encouraged to embrace the attitude of an innovator and reject your critics as fundamentalists. The problem in both cases is that it is very easy to lose your soul in the process of figuring out what side of the fence you're on.
When we read the New Testament with our American, melting-pot eyes, we hear stories about Christians from places like Corinth, Ephesus, Rome, Jerusalem, and Thessalonica. To us these were just random ancient cities the apostles were ministering in and writing to, yet their differences were stark. Boundary-marks were everything to people in the first century, particularly if you were a Jew. The fact that Christianity spread throughout the Mediterranean as fast as it did among a radically diverse population is more than miraculous. We miss how powerfully subversive following Jesus was to first century ears, and why it was so compelling to so many different people. The Way, the Little-Christs, were a sect where women actually got to sit in with the men during their meetings! A field worker and his boss might actually eat at the same table! If someone committed a wrong against his friend, instead of exacting revenge, the friend would actually forgive him! No wonder they were accused of "turning the world upside down."
Living this out in our culture is a whole lot more complicated than what people typically define as "New Testament Church". However, an aspect of our ethos has been to wander into the fray of this complexity and figure out how to love people as they are, listen to their stories, and attempt to see how the Holy Spirit is drawing them more into his Kingdom. Interestingly enough, in the process of attempting to do this, good, healthy boundaries are created. If someone is not interested in engaging relationally, or actively pursuing God's kingdom, or just wants their church fix for the week, we're not really offended if they don't stick around. On the other hand, we must learn to develop what the Scriptures define as "long-suffering" with each other who are sticking with the process. That is not fun or exciting from a cultural perspective, but the community that is created as a by-product is pretty earth-shattering on its own.
What if a group of people decided that instead of defending their boundaries of who is "in" or "out", "right" or "wrong", "leader" or "follower", that they instead determined to engage each other as human beings, sinners, and children of God? At that starting place, there are several things that happen in that group of people all at once. First of all, it leaves little room for ego to rear its ugly head. Second, judgmentalism in all of its forms takes a back seat to hospitality, freedom, and compassion. Finally, an environment is fostered where "fitting in" has nothing to do with how well you measure up to what the group determines is cool or what might classify you as a misfit.
I am learning to let go of that "chip" that I described above. However, that process is not something natural or even encouraged in most Christian contexts. If you are "in", you are taught to root out error, expose heresy, keep the boundaries safe and secure. If you are "out", you are encouraged to embrace the attitude of an innovator and reject your critics as fundamentalists. The problem in both cases is that it is very easy to lose your soul in the process of figuring out what side of the fence you're on.
When we read the New Testament with our American, melting-pot eyes, we hear stories about Christians from places like Corinth, Ephesus, Rome, Jerusalem, and Thessalonica. To us these were just random ancient cities the apostles were ministering in and writing to, yet their differences were stark. Boundary-marks were everything to people in the first century, particularly if you were a Jew. The fact that Christianity spread throughout the Mediterranean as fast as it did among a radically diverse population is more than miraculous. We miss how powerfully subversive following Jesus was to first century ears, and why it was so compelling to so many different people. The Way, the Little-Christs, were a sect where women actually got to sit in with the men during their meetings! A field worker and his boss might actually eat at the same table! If someone committed a wrong against his friend, instead of exacting revenge, the friend would actually forgive him! No wonder they were accused of "turning the world upside down."
Living this out in our culture is a whole lot more complicated than what people typically define as "New Testament Church". However, an aspect of our ethos has been to wander into the fray of this complexity and figure out how to love people as they are, listen to their stories, and attempt to see how the Holy Spirit is drawing them more into his Kingdom. Interestingly enough, in the process of attempting to do this, good, healthy boundaries are created. If someone is not interested in engaging relationally, or actively pursuing God's kingdom, or just wants their church fix for the week, we're not really offended if they don't stick around. On the other hand, we must learn to develop what the Scriptures define as "long-suffering" with each other who are sticking with the process. That is not fun or exciting from a cultural perspective, but the community that is created as a by-product is pretty earth-shattering on its own.
posted by Mike Bishop at 10:59 PM
1 Comments:
Solid. I have had the same "chip" before. The attitude that has gotten me is that people not only do not listen, but have the "answer" already formulated before I even get to speak. I am guilty of this as well. Conversations are always two way and pressed forward among those who see themselves as equals. Conversations between those who are not equal are usually simply orders, sermons, or demands no matter how the "conversation" is disguised.
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