North American Christianity

The following is a link to a very interesting article on Christian affiliation in North America. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23337807

The basic thrust of the article is that more and more people are giving up allegiance to one particular denomination. I don't know yet whether this is good or bad. It could be that it's symptomatic of a general trend towards apathy and indiscriminate thinking. Possible, sure. However, it might just be the opposite. Cultural critics are readily aware of the emergence of a new wave of spiritual hunger accompanying the subtle shift toward postmodern thinking. Directly correlated to this hunger is an increasing dissatisfaction with institutional religion. This is why the article may be a sign of good things to come. North American churches have increasingly become dominated by consumerism and club-memberism (my new phrase of the day). The business (pun intended) of most churches today is to keep the club members happy and writing checks. The good news is that people are beginning to see through this (For an excellent analysis see Reggie McNeal, The Present Future, recommended to me by my good friend Sam Pace). Churches have for far too long restricted the potential latent within so many Christians out of fear of missing the bottom line and the quarterly quotas. Maintenance and upkeep have taken over mission and outreach. The thought really hit home as I was rereading the Exodus story this morning. You will recall that the Egyptians benefitted greatly from the Israelite slave market. The economy was good and the Egyptians were happy. Pharaoah only let the Isrealites go after enduring the plagues sent from God. Interestingly, he makes a remarkably erie statement which resembles the modern situation quite closely. After releasing the Hebrew people he came to his senses and said, "What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services! (Exodus 14:5)". Perhaps churches in North America have let their own selfish monopolies on the marketplace hinder the cause of the kingdom and the growth of untold numbers of individuals. Scared to lose their services, they may have lost something far greater. Maybe God is on the move. Will we wake up or continue in our slumber?

Grasping at the sun

Yesterday I watched my son bask in the sunlight as it filtered through our blinds in our family room. You should have seen the look on his face as he attempted repeatedly to grab the warm sunshine. You would think frustration would set in at the inability to fully grasp the warm rays. Yet an overwhelming sense of joy consumed his face before he slowly moved on to something else.

It's living parables like these which give us glimpses of the kingdom words can't express. Paul did his best when he wrote of mankind's purpose that they should "seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us" (Acts 17:27). Colin's inability to manipulate and confine the rays of the sun were not a point of contention for him, but instead a comforting reassurance. Similarly, my pathetic attempts at understanding God, bottling Him up and figuring Him out have only proven frustrating when my pride gets in the way. It is only when I enjoy the mystery and intrigue that I truly glimpse the kingdom. Maybe I ought to stop creating God in my image and allow myself to be created in His.

Welcome

So I've ventured into the bloggosphere, so now what? Blogs have been for me a source of daily inspiration and empowerment and I hope this blog will contribute in some small way to your day. While I have a special affinity for writings that focus on spirituality, I imagine I will venture into other realms as well. Only time will tell. I hope you enjoy.