I am not a second, third or fourth generation pastor. I didn't cut my teeth on the church pews. Growing up attending church wasn't high on the priority list not even on Christmas or Easter. Then on September 22, 1995, God decided to intervene and change my world view forever. A decade plus years later I find myself smack dab right in the middle of the American Christian subculture. (aka the bubble).
After living my way for the first 18 years I was suddenly immersed into a whole new planet.
Becoming a believer, as we all know, is like trying to fit into a foreign land. You have to learn a whole new language (Christianize), culture (do's and don'ts) and ideas (the seven steps to this or that). The only thing that is different about settling into the Christian culture, than the secular world, is that you always have to be ready for a pot luck.
When you first become a believer in Christ, everything seems exciting and perfect. Then over time the spiritual glasses come on and a different picture comes into focus. You start to realize there are far more Pharisees in the church than followers of Christ. Instead of looking at images of Jesus' followers on Sunday mornings, you see reflections of man and our rules.
Come to think of rules, it is not that hard to adjust and adapt to the Christian culture. You learn very quickly what words to say, when to raise your hands in worship, pull the heart strings of human emotions, and to take off your hat when you pray.
My question to you is this, if Jesus were to walk into the majority of churches today how would He be received? Unfortunately, I think if Jesus were to walk into most churches He would be shunned and sadly we probably wouldn't even recognize Him.
Why are people not only leaving the churches in droves but their faith altogether? Where have we gone wrong? Maybe because what Jesus taught isn't lived out in our lives? Maybe we have become more rule oriented than driven by love? Whatever the excuse, it needs to change.
Is the American Church living the same Jesus that is portrayed in the Bible?
Be blessed,
Steve
