One of my key responsibilities as a pastoral leader is to define reality. In this article I want to deal with a huge reality that will upset some and make a few stop and reflect.
It’s 2008. We live in a post-modern, post-Christian world. Everything is shifting. Families have changed. Schools have children who speak different languages. Businesses have become culturally sensitive. Communication is instant – all over the world. The pace of life is faster. And, most churches are stuck in an antiquated, irrelevant methodology.
One of the greatest tensions in the church today is that many want ‘their church’ to remain stuck. Now this is not intentional, but it is reality. They like their comfort, their fellowship with life-long friends, their preferred worship setting and styles, and their familiar ways of connecting with God. Yet, to reach out to a new generation will mean that a lot of ‘sacred’ things – not the message of hope in Christ – will require a new way of functioning. This causes tension. Does the church change to reach this new generation or does it keep doing things that used to work and bypass the mission of making disciples? Does the church honor – and live in the past – such that it ‘fumbles the ball’ by seeking to do what it takes to reach new people? The challenges ahead are immense, even for us here at Friendship.
For me, a sign of spiritual maturity is realizing that ‘it’s not about me.’ It’s about loving God by loving His people. I’ve given up my comfort, my preferred worship setting and style in order to help a new generation connect with God and others. I’ve had to ‘disconnect’ from my preferred ‘friend base’ in order to welcome new friends who desire to connect with others – that’s me – within the body of Christ.
A sign of spiritual immaturity is when I hear people say something like, “If you don’t meet my needs, the way I want you too, then I’ll find a new church.” Sadly, I’ve heard this lately more than I care to admit. I don’t like threats or being held hostage by immature, ‘it’s all about me’ so-called Christians.
My friends, God has a huge calling upon His body called Friendship. When we strive to love each other, when we hold one another accountable to biblical mandates, and when we seek to be obedient by making disciples, it will not always be easy. But experiencing the joy of changed lives makes everything worth it. In reality, who cares what age you or I might be? We have a mission – and it’s not about being served – it’s about serving others for the greater joy of welcoming new people into God’s family. We get to invest our lives for others – this generation and the one which is coming.
Thanks for the privilege of being your pastor.
Calvin
