This month's edition of Catalyst Monthly is now up at Catalyst Space. You can read my article here.
I must confess to going on a bit of a rant, but all this anger at (and within) the church is breaking my heart. Here are a few brief excerpts:
Paul was willing to take a beating for the church because Jesus submitted to a brutal murder "to make her (the church) holy, cleansing her in the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:26-27 HCSB)
Seems like fewer and fewer people are willing to take the church seriously, let alone take a beating for her...
Today's collective church made up of thousands of local churches is so distracted by anger at each other: emerging churches are mad at mega-churches; contemporary churches are mad at traditional churches; Arminian churches are mad Calvinistic churches; et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. There are of course exceptions and I'm making an overarching statement that unfortunately is becoming truer by the day. On a daily basis, we witness the attack blogs where we can attack other churches like the pajamahadeen: sitting in pajamas, not reaching anyone, but being an expert on how everyone else is wrong...
Isn't it ironic that the very remedy for our sinking, drifting Christianity is found in the very institution we are walking away from, weakening and marginalizing? We have the institution through which the Risen Christ plans to capture the hearts of rebellious men yet we scamper here and there after some wispy spiritual experience. Amazing...
Now, let me say that the church is not the center of God's plan. Jesus is. But, the church is central to God's plan. Jesus places the church in a position of great importance...
If you claim to be a disciple of Jesus, then love his wife. Don't be guilty of going to great lengths to show your love for Christ while ignoring, marginalizing, or attacking the Bride.
Feel free to weigh in, challenge my analysis, or add an idea (but take a look at the whole article first, please).
And, this will delay my "Meanings of Missional" part 4 until tomorrow.
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