Preaching to the choir, I’m sure

8 March, 2007

Something has been stirring in me for a few days…ok over a week…and I have to put it out on the table. Before I go further, I’m going to assert that I love my church. I cannot imagine being anywhere but The Sanctuary at this moment in my life. That being said, I am frustrated.

From my understanding, the church, the Church was designed to be missional. What I mean is that we are supposed to go out into the community to where the people are who do not know Christ, and we are supposed to exemplify Christ to them. We’ve been placed by God, by the obedience of our pastor, in a certain community (insert the community where you church worships here.) Does that not mean that we are supposed to add to the community? If you read your Bible, Jesus was all over the community. He walked here and there; He made friends with the most unlikely people for a rabbi to befriend. He was known in His community, and He was respected. Sure, the religious elite wanted Him dead for messing with their system. But He made a difference. And perhaps I missed this page in my Bible, but I don’t remember Jesus only hanging out in the synagogue with synagogue people. If I’m wrong, please let me know chapter and verse so that I can be correctly informed.

People of the Church, please hear what I have to say. There are billions of people, probably thousands of whom you touch on a monthly basis. Stand up and be an example. Be Jesus to those around you. Break bread with them. Talk with them. Listen to them.

God didn’t put you on earth to show up at church on Sunday morning to listen to a great message, sing some good songs and then go home and be ineffective.

Stop going to church, as if church is a location. Be the church. You, my friend, whether you know it or not, are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

9 responses

chill pastor

Mar 8, 2007

And it would be real easy for you to get frustrated enough to take your ball and go play somewhere else…God has placed you in that body for a distinct purpose….You probably know this, but the grass is not greener somewhere else…there is no perfect church…Continue to challenge and encourage…

One more thing, go tell Tony Morgan to come and visit your blog…You do minister to others and you are making a diiference in other people…Tell him that you work in Philly…you know the place where Rocky Balboa lives…Tell him that if he doesn’t visit your blog and tell the world what you are doing, that you can’t be responsible for Mr. Balboa’s actions….

Seriously, there are some women bloggers like yourself that are truly making a difference….thanks again..

chill

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deneenwhite

Mar 8, 2007

I’m not planning on going anywhere for a while. God’s given me a love for the community in which He has called me to serve. Just wanted to make sure that is clear 🙂

I don’t know about telling Tony Morgan about my blog…a bit intimidating…

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Barrabas

Mar 8, 2007

“From my understanding, the church, was designed to be missional. What I mean is that we are supposed to go out into the community to where the people are who do not know Christ, and we are supposed to exemplify Christ to them. ” –

I Believe this is not quite so…for all we know, people who may not know Christ nominaly can be more Christian than us. And holding on to the “Missional” frame of mind is to define the other as a “stranger” to and from Christ, with the question of “who DOES really know Christ?” poking us constantly. We are not supposed to exemplify Christ TO them, rather, exemplify Christ through US…and those are two and not-even-close realities.

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deneenwhite

Mar 8, 2007

What does it mean to you to be a “christian?” My definition of being a christian is a follower of Christ…one who has professed that Jesus Christ is Lord .

When I speak of being missional, I do not suggest that “christians” go out into the community wearing their WWJD bracelets, handing out tracts. What I mean is that we should be a part of the community, exemplifying the characteristics that Jesus, in the Bible, lived. Nor do I advocate a “us” and “them” mentality. We are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God.

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Barrabas

Mar 9, 2007

What does it mean to you to be a “christian?” – is a wrong question…rather, WHO is a Christian? would’ve been the correct way to find its meaning. Being a Christian is to be awakened to what Jesus tried to make us realize, that we are beyond who we deem ourselves to be…and whoever learns this with God’s grace, whether from a church or in his/her journey through life, is a Christian.

Missional: You cannot even have an idea or desire to be a part of the community if you did not have a notion that you are outside of it in the first place…”We are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God.” NO, as Jesus tells us again and again, we are sons/daughters of God, we are made in his image and likeness, we are gods on our way to perfection…and pride hinders us from realizing this humbling truth.

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deneenwhite

Mar 9, 2007

Well, in answering my “wrong” question, you answered my question. I’m not going to run around in circles debating semantics with you.

Pride hinders us from realizing that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.

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Blue

Mar 12, 2007

Deneen ~

My boyfriend, Biffer, suggested I drop by your blog tonight because he thought I would really enjoy it. You are one of his favorite reads and now I can certainly see why. As Chill said, you are definitely making a difference in other people.

I also wanted to let you know that Biffer and I have also been feeling very strongly about this same thing. We are feeling more and more led to get out there and be amongst the people, just as Jesus was. Reading your post tonight, was further confirmation of that leading.

Thank you so much for sharing and not holding back. You are a blessing.

Blessings and Hugs ~
Blue

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deneenwhite

Mar 12, 2007

Blue,

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. They are much appreciated.

I noticed that you started a blog as well. I can’t wait to read what you and Biffer have to say!

Blessings,
Deneen

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Idetrorce

Dec 15, 2007

very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce

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