I don't feel good today. I've been coughing and hacking for three days, and I'm finding that I'd rather be about anywhere else. Sometimes I wonder if my efforts are all in vain, and I ask myself "Am I really making a difference?"
As a church worker, much of my time is spent planning events (Mission Trips, Sunday School, Youth Group, Confirmation, etc) to partner with parents in the spiritual formation of the their children. The problem, it seems, is that the rhythms of life no longer move around the church. There was a time when most businesses were closed on Sundays and students NEVER had practices or games or any other school activity on Sundays. Even Wednesdays were quiet outside of church activities. This made it easy to plan and coordinate schedules. That's no longer the case, and now we're too accustomed to getting whatever we want whenever we want that we'd ever be able to adjust to not getting gas or groceries on Sundays. I've lamented with friends in ministry for years about this, but nothing changes.
I don't get why it's okay for the drama teacher to say you can't miss rehearsal or you're not in the play, or for the coach to say if you miss practice you don't play; but, it's not okay for God or the church to place any demands on our lives. It's a double standard, and I'm afraid our faith is getting the short end of the stick.
In response, I believe the church is watering down the Gospel...and that's no good for anyone, least of all the Kingdom. We have to stop worrying about making financially supporting members, big buildings, new screens, new pews, church buses and the biggest Vacation Bible School. We need to start making disciples. Being a Christian is not a "Get out of Hell" free pass. To say, "I'm a Christian" is to live like Jesus Christ, that is to love one another.
And loving someone isn't about being nice. Loving someone is active, humbling, and self-sacrificing. Loving someone is a choice. It's not something magical or something we fall into. Love is intentional. God created us on purpose. God chooses to love us. And God is active in the world--not just on Sundays and Wednesdays. Every day is sacred.
Maybe our 24/7 lifestyles are actually good for the church, because it's going to require more intentionality on the part of Christians. Maybe I should stop lamenting and start loving, because good or bad, this is the way we live. So, if I can get myself off my mind long enough, I can love others. I can intentionally practice my faith--in worship, in Bible study, in prayer, in life. And the church needs to provide multiple opportunities for worship and study--recognizing that all days are sacred.
To that end, we have no less than 8 worship opportunities between today and Easter at the UMC in Chillicothe, plus small groups, and a fellowship dinner. I'm imagining your church is offering multiple opportunities also. After all, it's Holy Week...but aren't they all?
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