Modern vs. Post-modern?

Lately I have struggled with how to reach people who do not want to go to church. For many people the "church" is not offering them what they need. As I continue to invest my life in "john," my co-worker, I realize that in some instances more harm has been done in the name of Christ, than good. John doesn't attend church because "those kind of people only point out my sins, tell me how I'm going to hell, and that I need to turn from my evil ways. I don't need that. They just tell me about their God, I know about their God: I would rather experience Him."

Hmm...Someone who doesn't go to church still would like to experience God. I think that somewhere behind our praise bands, big budgets, Powerpoint, comfy seats, lapel mics, and three point sermons we lost something. Some people don't want to know about God; they want to KNOW him. Some people don't want to sing about God; they want to sing to him, in his presence. Some people don't want to go to "church;" they want to go before God.

Modernism is the school of thought that has basically been in place since before the 1950's, but it reflects the old Americana ideals: mom, dad, kids; have things explained, give me knowledge, get a good job and go to a good church. The problem is that after 50 plus years of using this mentality our churches have become country club-like and have become a social outlet for suburban nuclear families. The single mom, recovering drug addict, and ex-convict have been pushed out by our three piece suit theology.
Don't get me wrong, there are many people, who without modernism, would not have come to a relationship with Christ. It has served it's purpose. But I see a reformation on the horizon.
Today, we don't live in Leave it to Beaver America. Mom isn't home with milk and cookies when the kids get home from school. The media saturates our lives with images of the world's definition of perfection. The internet babysits our children. And life has only one speed: Busy.
Where modernism attempted to redefine Christianity, postmodernism attempts to redefine what a Christian is.
In the postmodern movement we have come to understand that many people are educated, self-supporting, and opinionated. They don't need someone to read the Bible to them and throw a couple of knee slappers in there for comic relief. They are fed up with being told what God is like. They want to feel God.
I have been praying for the past month about starting an organic, postmodern worship opportunity for people who don't feel as if they belong in a church. I feel as if God has been leading me to organize such a venture. Please pray for me. Pray that I will hear God's call and follow his lead. Pray that others are open to this great outreach opportunity. And pray that those who seek might find God through this blessing.

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Thanks for visiting

Today, my blog had it's 400th visitor. Thanks to everyone that has checked out and commented on my thoughts and ramblings. Continue to seek answers to your own questions, and I will be right here to discuss mine.

Thanks again,

Mike

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The Gospel to John

After the we moved into the new townhome, I needed to take care of a lot of things I wasn't prepared for. So, I took a week off in order to get things organized, ordered, hooked-up, turned-on, activated, and connected. Now that all those minor details have be taken care of, I can return to a regular schedule of daily postings.

I just got home from work. I have a co-worker that I have been blessed with the opportunity to grow closer to. He is a good man, but has many misconceptions regarding Christianity and "organized religion." I'll call him John in order to protect his innocence. John grew up with many religious influences; Catholicism, Mormanism, Southern Baptist, and finally Atheism. John married a woman who practiced a form of nature worship similar to Druidism. Unlike the Wiccans, John's belief system does not utilize spells and curses. It is a peaceful, Unitarian, worship of the gift of life. John somehow retains "roots" of his ecclesiastic upbringing, stating that he believes in a Creator God, and that this God has a Son, Jesus Christ. John holds to the idea that God sent many "Sons" to inform us of His plan for our lives. John holds to the idea that many men and women have been sent by God as generational and cultural "messiahs." Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, Gandhi, Joseph Smith, John Lennon, Mother Theresa, and so are believed to have been sent by God in order to help people learn about and draw nearer to God.
For someone who minimalizes his beliefs to: nature worship, John has a deeply philosophic heart and an eager desire to learn about other religious systems. We began discussing religion one day, out of the blue. We talked a little here and there. Exchanging thoughts, philosophies and theology. He explained that he felt that Christ was a good man, a great moral teacher, and a great example; but that NONE of his present day followers have ever exhibited the kind of love and compassion, understanding and acceptance, tolerance and patience that was exemplified in Christ. I had to agree. He went on to say that it isn't the teachings of Christ that turned him away from Christianity: it was the Christians. He did not want to be associated with a church organization because of their greediness, pride, arrogance, ignorance, and bigotry. He saw Christianity as a method of justifying elitist, sexist, and racist behavior. He saw Christianity as a 1-2 hour a week farce.
Over the past few weeks, I have been reading a book by Dan Kimball entitled, "The Emerging Church." Every day, I purposefully take it to work, put it on my desk, and refuse the urge to mention it. He finally asked about it. He asked if he could look at the back. I said, "sure, you might like that book. It discusses how Christianity has taken a turn for the worse over the past 3-4 decades and how 1950's ideology isn't necessarily the most productive or effective way to reach people in post-modern 2003."
He responded by saying, "hmm. I never thought of that. I just figured that most Church people were happy with the way things were."
I will continue to reach out to John. He is a seeker, even if he isn't ready to admit it. He has a heart for God, but he hasn't realized it.
I've never really had a heart to reach the "unchurched" people. I have always tried to reach those that have been "churched," "over-churched," and "burned-by-church." The way I see it, so many people are trying to reach the "unchurched" that someone should try to reach those that are "churched" or have been and left.
Give me some feedback, I want to know what you are thinking out there.

-Mike

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Interesting Observation

Over the past several months I have been struggling with what has been called a "dark moment of the soul." Questions, doubts, cynicism, and skepticism have filled my head and my heart regarding today's Americanized Christianity. During this struggle, I have been reading often, praying continuously, and seeking to find answers to the many questions that have come to the surface.

The interesting observation is that during this time, my wife has not necessarily been struggling with these issues. Sure she's had to put up with my philosophizing and theologizing, but her own spiritual life has not been in jeopardy.

Unfortunately for her, because I am facing these spiritual struggles in my life, it is assumed that she is as well. People have made comments that seem to imply that we are going through this together.

My wife, although a wonderful person, does not share my questioning personality. She is happy in her faith, and relationship with God. So those questioning her spiritual life need not be concerned.

It's funny to me that because two people have been joined in marriage that others assume that they now share a brain and personalities. My wife and I, although not polar opposites, come from different backgrounds, upbringings, and value systems. We are not the same person.

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Hectic Week

Sorry I haven't posted anything for awhile. The wife and I moved into our new townhome this week. Lots of packing and unpacking. I can't find anything. It's a great place 2 bedrooms, 2 and a half baths, and a garage...we're are pretty happy with it. I promise that Monday or Tuesday I will get back into the swing of things. Hopefully my DSL hardware will arrive by then. I am reading a few great books right now, so be ready to discuss.

-Mike

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