Over at Storyline, Don Miller responds to his controversial post from Monday, the one that launched a thousand "responses." (A "prescription for spiritual suicide" one blogger commented.)
While I see little in the original post to garner more than a pleasant but meager "Thanks for sharing, Don. I've felt that way too sometimes," Miller's response to the backlash is considerably more enlightening for those interested in the changing Christian views on the local church and the weekly gathering.
EDIT: For those wondering if this post is a Miller Lite endorsement; it's not. I disagree deeply with his perspective and posture at multiple points. But I'm glad he vocalized it. Leaders should not follow him into whatever fuzzy space he's espousing, but we can listen and learn.
Notable sections:
Don introspects:
Reading the comments from Monday's blog let me know how far my personal spiritual journey has taken me from modern evangelicalism. Theologically, I find myself in the evangelical camp in many ways, but as for the "one way to do life and church" I've gone a different path. And I'm hardly alone.
Don responds to the critique that his "feelings" are irrelevant in relationship to attending church:
Feelings matter. You can't build a house on them, but they guide, shape, validate and work with rational thought to shape who we are and how we do life. When Jesus interacted with people, He cared about how they felt. And He was not weak or weird for doing so. He's the one who made those silly little "feelings" in the first place. How odd, then, His own children would dismiss them as irrelevant.
Don interacts with "Church isn't about you, it's about God."
It's a nice cliche and has some basis in scripture, but while the thought makes a great tweet, it should be parsed in a more nuanced way. Many people seemed to want me to attend church out of a sense of duty or responsibility. These were the comments I received that were most traced with guilt and shame, interestingly.
Don (sort of) talks ecclesiology:
Jesus engages people inside and outside the church. It's almost as though He sees the church as one, without walls, denominations or tribes. I'm starting to see the church that way, too.
Don's surprised at the "no church = no community" argument:
It was as though people thought because I hadn't been to church in years, I had no community, that I lived in isolation. This is untrue. My community is rich, deep, spiritually sound, gracious, sacrificial and at times (because I'm an introvert) exhausting.
Don on how different our churches are from the book of Acts:
…The church in America … is a product of a school-like system mingled with best business practices and is quickly moving toward entertainment-like institutions. And to be honest, that amazing adaptation and evolution has worked fantastically. I think it's great. These practices reach tons of people who want Jesus, community and wisdom from an ancient trustworthy text.
Don on the church industry:
I do think church can evolve beyond a lecture/worship/performance institution, but the current leadership is unlikely to make that happen. When and if the church evolves, it will evolve from outside the current leadership and that evolution will pose a threat to existing tribal values as well as financial systems that are sustained by the current model. In other words, the church will be reluctant to change because things that are foreign are perceived as bad and we've got to keep doing it this way for job security.
The weekly gathering has always been a vital community aspect of Christian life. But it's far from the only means to be connected with the Church—especially in an age where friend circles (among Christians, too) are increasing in social importance.
Is there true life, or just personal/pastoral insecurity behind our jealousy for how the Sunday service has been done?
As culture shifts, and more committed believers feel the freedom to be two-or-three week a month church attendees (or less), leaders need to consider their response carefully. Don Miller's done church leaders a service by articulating a common feeling of many in their pews. I disagree deeply with his perspective and posture at multiple points. But I'm glad he vocalized it.
An old adage says that a man who wishes to hold sand will lose the grains that he grasps too tightly.
At best here, leaders have an opportunity for mutual grace, understanding, and wise conversation. The chance to nuance our call to discipleship, listen to individual stories, and consider the life of the Cross.
At worst here, people end up "shoulding" on Donald Miller—and by extension, the many hearts drawn to God, but struggling with how to connect to him.
At worst here, evidenced by many of the responses to Miller's piece, people end up "shoulding" on Donald Miller—and by extension, the many hearts drawn to God, but struggling with how to connect to him.
And "should"—who likes the smell of "should"?
Paul Pastor is associate editor of Leadership Journal and PARSE.
