As Americans we’re often so unreflectively immersed in the ethos of individual freedoms, pursuits and identity that even our church life can appear as an exercise in being alone together. We’re born and bred individual consumers and volunteers.I know for a fact from conversations I’ve had with people, especially those in their 20’s, that the longing for such a community resonates largely unmet. They want to live for something magnificent than themselves . . . with others; something heroic and noble; something hard to do, but so worth it. Sadly, they’ve not really seen “be the we” lived out in their church experience.The closest some of them get is in college as part of Christian Fellowship or parachurch ministry. Once away from those spiritual environs, they feel a sadness and frustration about not finding missional community lived out in the local church, even a little cynicism. We in the church can talk a good game and still live a shamefully tepid discipleship – being spectators and religious consumers. Comfort zones thrive in American Christianity.Being alone or in affinity cliques together, misses the point of the Church in the world. Jesus has unequivocally summoned us to accomplish something courageous in our neck of the woods. That’s why we’re here together.“Being the we” is each one of us following hard after Jesus, but together; not alone. All of us covered, supported, encouraged, given rest, then gently lifted back to our feet when we need it, and loved as we work to change the world toward the Kingdom reign of God.No one is left behind. No one is kept silent. We don’t shoot our wounded, shun our “difficult” ones, or send the sinner packing. The broken are welcomed, embraced, healed, trained, strengthened, and invited into the fray beside all of us when they have their sea legs. We all share inestimable worth, and a wondrous destiny.
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I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.
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The last paragraph says it all.
Happy Birthday KarenMom! 🙂
Seth, amazing how you keep dropping these bombs! Mad respect…Jim