Paid to Evaluate

I just read material connected with Christianity Today that indicated nonbelievers are being paid to attend worship and give feedback at some Churches..

One critic indicated that the Church calls people to an aesthetic life and then does not actually live that life. It squanders money, perhaps partly on paying nonbelievers to come to worship and give feedback.

If the Church actually took a look, it would notice that its people already meet nonbelievers. It might actually be free, at no cost, to ask some of these nonbelievers what they have to say about the Church. Even if nonbelievers’ views are distorted, we would find out what myths scare people away.

We might actually find out that nonbelievers don't come to Church because it is boring, the clergy are too self righteous and aloof, the Church insulates itself from the world, it really doesn't engage the world, it isolates itself from the world, it is seen as hypocritical and other criticism.

We might indeed learn that nonbelievers find our stories to incredible to believe, our practices of worship irrelevant, and any efforts we do make in helping others futile at best, and manipulative at worst.

I learned these associating with atheists, agnostics and people of other faiths. It didn't cost a cent.

My assertions here is that it appears not only that is money waisted on finding out how nonbelievers view the Church. We actually fail to recognize that our fellow believers engage the world of nonbelievers all the time.

It also strikes me as yet another effort to get people to come to Church instead of affirming our responsibility to go to the world around us.

I mean we are already in the world, we need to start affirming in more confident ways that we rub shoulders with nonbelievers. I see a Christ who sent his disciples into the world, not to get people to come to Church, but to meet the world. I see a Christ who calls believers to sit at table with sinners.

How in the world did we get to a point where we think getting people to Church is a mark of a successful Church?

A mark of the successful Church is engaging the world where it is whether or not nonbelievers catch on or not.

Towards Perfection

This was one of those stop what you are doing experiences. I had a revelation about perfection. So I had to stop what I was doing and write these brief comments.

When as was ordained as a Deacon in the North Georgia Conference by Bishop Canon, we were asked this standard question among others. "Are you moving onto perfection?"

I didn't really have a clue what that meant. I don't think of us did. I certainly haven't seen any indication from my colleagues that they did.

Over the years I can't say that I got a handle on what it means.

I have thought of it in terms of behavior. Being a good person because God has touched my life as a believer. Yet, I keep falling short.

This is the revelation I had today. Perfection is being forgiven. I have been aware of forgiveness and being forgiven all my life. I just didn't connect it to perfection.

Following that mini revelation it started expanding. Perfection is living in God's grace. God didn't have to forgive us but did.

Perfection is also about hope. That hope rests in God's saving and gracious act, coming personally to the world as Jesus the Christ.

And perfection is about love, love of God, love of neighbor, and when we fail, the love God has for us whereby His grace is made evident.

And finally, perfection is about service, service to God, service to our fellow human beings, and again should we fail, God's service to us through Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

Perfection then might be summoned up in one word, faith.