So earlier this week I was having a late night Facebook Chat with my buddy Brian. We were discussing my having just finished Hugh Halter & Matt Smay's book Tangible Kingdom.
I was explaining to Brian what I loved about the book, how fired up I was to go and LIVE the book, and also sort of summarizing what it was about. I've taken that conversation and formed it into something of an essay on the subject of missional living and what I hope to begin in Cleveland Heights. Enjoy.
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Basically the book early on establishes the "problem" of church as it exists today, and has existed since, basically, Constantine.
Once it was "legalized," Church became a place you go to be with God.
and that was fine for like 1600 years or so...
the problem is that now the world has changed in some strange ways.
Clergy, who even as recently as 25-30 years ago were respected as pillars of their communities on par with professionals like doctors and lawyers, are no longer viewed with much respect.
"Church" is seen as stale place where you go, not to meet God, but to be judged by Him and His people.
We Christians have acquaintances we'd love to bring to Christ, but perhaps could never see inviting to church.
It's hard to imagine some folks being comfortable in the pew next to you.
But the problem isn't just that the church has lost respect amongst non-believers.
It's CONSTANTLY disenfranchising believers.
more are leaving churches than are coming into them.
So, what Christians need to do in order to be "fed" and, more importantly, to make Christ someone that an outsider might actually find INTRIGUING is radically challenge expectations, change dynamics, and begin to look differently.
That said, this does not necessarily mean "doing church differently" (which, frankly, is what rock and roll worship services are for) or being "emergent" or "hipster" for the sake of buzzwords or coolness.
It means a return to the way church was done BEFORE Constantine. That is, the churches that were started in Acts.
These were communities living in Christ together, depending upon one another and sharing with one another. Living out in the world and NOT barricaded away from society in some evangelical gated community watching knock off movies and listening to watered down music that is "Safe for the Whole Family (Tm)"
They were real, accessible communities that were so dynamically different and inviting and appealing that ANYONE who interacted with them would be drawn towards being a part of them.
And so these people WOULD become a part of them.
They would get coffee with them, have parties with them, and live LIFE with them.
and in so doing would see that the folks involved in these communities were onto something. and this belonging would stir in their hearts a desire to believe as the others believed.
This is a concept of evangelism known as "belong then believe." and is the antithesis of the worn-out idea of "believe then belong" where you come up front, say the sinner's prayer along with the pastor, and then shuffle off to the fellowship hall to get your packet about "what to do with your new faith" and your free bible.
back to the communities... they meet where life happens.
instead of aerobics in the church basement, they happen at the local gym.
instead of utilizing the fellowship hall, bible studies meet at folks' houses, or the local coffeeshop.
These people get together all the time to do LIFE together, and they do it with intention, and with God in mind with every step.
There may not even BE a sunday worship gathering.
If there is one, it's for the sake of fun together, and NOT an excuse for shallow "programming" or fancy concert-style worship.
All of those things have their place.
But they aren't welcoming to 80% of America anymore.
80% of America wants nothing to do with that stuff.
so instead we have barbecues.
and parties.
and get-togethers.
and live life.
and do it intentionally, and invite people along.
and the sojourners out there see this community and want in.
and once they join, maybe they learn that we do all this because we love Christ.
and then they see how they can love him to.
So the whole idea of the Tangible Kingdom is living The Kingdom of God here on earth now.
It's that idea that Christ was talking about a parallel world that exists in the hearts and minds of those living well by seeking God's face.
he said it was here now, and anyone could access it by believing in Him.
So we're going to seek him and live together, and live well. Support and love one another.
and common grace will allow others to see it and begin to experience it.
then, I believe, they'll see where this spring of quenching water is coming from.
and want in on THAT.
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So, let's get started, shall we?
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