I keep wondering today what the people I used to “know casually” before the pandemic hit with its lock downs, are really, deep down thinking these days, and on so many subjects that we are experiencing. I have always found making social phone calls repugnant. I’m not the type that prior pandemic, socialized on the phone. I jumped into texting with both feet for its brevity, conciseness, and even better, it provided evidence if I ever forgot the communication. Now if I resort to email and if the subject is of consequence and considerable depth, I much prefer attaching a document as it may easily be used or modified for another application later.
All the above is said because in my daily activities now in this synthetic pandemic exercise of life, I’ve dropped verbal communication substantially because my life simply does not intersect other humans verbally in person. This is perhaps a great time saver but quite contrary to my past out-going demeanor historically. I thrive meeting new personalities and seldom prior the pandemic did I meet a stranger that the foundation for a friendship was not lain.
And my concern here is very specific in nature; I am concerned about what is transpiring (or not) in the hearts and minds of my Christian brothers and sisters. So far I’ve not heard, seen, or read substantial evidence anywhere that we as believers are “overflowing” amongst each other with “righteousness” as we pursue fellowship. Personally, I find my mind is working substantially overtime because it has virtually unlimited time to inwardly, may I say even “selfishly” to process, as I am challenged by the many books and scripture I either read or hear expounded.
For example, our pastor each week rolls out a smorgasbord of delectable challenges for our consumption and possible implementation during the next week. I confess seldom do I ever engage during the week in conversation with anyone else in the congregation about these delectable morsels direct from God’s word to sanctify us into righteousness to attain His eventual praise “Well done, faithful servant….” In the business world, this procedure would be viewed as bordering insanity; dispensing pertinent truth to the employees (congregants) each week with little or no provision for cross fertilization, feedback, or processing. Eventually, the “morsels” are simply forgotten, because they seldom if ever stay in view long enough for any effective processing, and leading to compromise and/or implementation. How discouraging this must be each week for conscientious pastors with visions and dreams for their congregations when it seems once we’re out the door, all is forgotten!
But yet this is exactly the way traditional churches have functioned for years. And just perhaps the pandemic forced restructuring will either remove the blinders or our spiritual cataracts. There has to be scads of materials, papers, books and podcasts written on this phenomena. I have not spent a minute searching the internet because I’m just writing you now with what I’ve been “compelled” to say to my readers who possess a tad of history with my words.
For example, today our pastor’s lead in question was “what are we inviting people to?” with the text taken from I John 1:1- 2:2. The three points were fellowship, faithfulness and forgiveness. In SS, we spent most of our time exploring fellowship and its subsequent synonyms: koinonia, communion, participation, etc. The point was made fellowship as promoted in scripture too often today in our church becomes merely socialization, perhaps like a club of similar interests to discuss flowers, gardening or antique cars or tractors (mere idols even!). However, in such clubs the discussion one hears is usually centered on their interests, whereas I tend to think church fellowship discussions seldom if ever center on spiritual sanctification. Pay attention at your next church fellowship event. Perhaps we ought to add the “F” word “friendship” which is really the precursor word for “LOVE” which is the foundational word for everything biblical since God is love.
Personally, I believe I struggle spiritually most in being friendly or inclusive of non-members (no matter who, whether in church, out of church, new age, globalists, etc.) Who of those whom I could (if I would) intersect with daily am I even coming close to inviting into friendship with me? I maintain we’re totally kidding ourselves in the church if we think we can muster real spiritual fellowship with anyone without first extending our genuine friendship and simply love them without an agenda as Jesus did, does, and will, always our free-choice, totally non-manipulative, simply being attracted by His overflowing love.
No question folks! This is difficult when our “fellowships” indeed are riddled with interests and fractions of all stripes and persuasions that literally steamroll our sanctification pursuits. Perhaps today this sin of non communication for us in its myriad of forms and levels that must be addressed first by each one of us before we do so corporately or we will be as ineffective (even decimated) as was Israel soon after the Jericho miracle of deliverance when they went up against Ai with flagrant sin in their camp and were soundly defeated.
Perhaps even Paul’s admonitions in I Corinthians 11:17-34 are worthy of our study and application. I have been told there are several ways we can become all things to all people.
1. Listen. We are often too eager to share our own thoughts, jumping into the conversation before we really hear what the other person is saying. We all appreciate being heard; when we extend that courtesy to someone else, he or she is more likely to listen what we have to say. By listening first, the other person becomes a an individual we care about rather than simply a mission field to convert.
2. Be kind. This should go without saying for Christ followers, but, unfortunately, we can forget kindness in the passion of the moment. This is especially true on social media. Online anonymity leads many people, even some professing to represent Christ, to make rude or hate-filled comments.
3. Be sensitive to culture. Western culture is changing rapidly and in many places Judeo-Christian principles are no longer accepted or even understood. By first listening to discern where people are spiritually and then finding commonality with them, we may be able to reach those hungry for a truth they’ve never heard.
4. Deal with prejudice. Prejudice of every kind has been part of human history since the beginning. Despite how hard we try, we all carry some form of prejudice against certain other people groups. Ironically, even those who denounce prejudice of any sort are usually quite prejudiced against those who they consider prejudiced! Admitting to God our own pride and repenting of our judgmental attitudes and lack of love must be an ongoing process for Christ-followers wanting to follow Paul’s example of being all things to all people.
I’ve been told the goal of a Christ-follower is to be inoffensive in every way except in the matter of the cross. The message of the cross naturally give offense, but we cannot water it down. “The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (I Cor 1:18). Jesus warned us not to be shocked when the world hates us – it hated Him first (John 15: 18). Our message is offensive to human pride and contradicts the sin nature, so our behavior and our attitudes should not give offense. To follow Paul’s example, we must humble ourselves, let go of our “rights,” meet people where they are, and do whatever Jesus calls us to do. He died to save them. We must love them enough to tell them that in ways they can understand. Taken basically verbatim from www.gotquestions.org
FYI, I currently know no one more skilled than the author Andy Andrews, who has authored more than a dozen books filled with short stories geared for the churched to be mentored in the art of these four points. For the unchurched, he captivates his readers as they are subtly drawn into or exposed to possibly considering, perhaps even adopting “a new perspective” as Andy continually presents “Jones” as he literally coaches everyone he encounters. Which I fully believe is the mandate for all of us Christ-followers!
I suggest if you are “reading and understanding” this blog with any degree of longing understanding, perhaps for a more purposeful life, and spiritually in sync, you strongly consider investing a portion of your precious time in reading one of Andy Andrew books. Begin with “The Noticer: Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective.” Ten short chapters, each introducing you to a person in crisis whom encounters Jones. When you’re done, your only assignment is to tell me who you think Jones is…. I do have loaners for you locals…
Also, there is no doubt that my mind has been greatly stimulated by my currently reading the updated Eric Metaxas book on “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.” It no doubt is adding several dimensions to my observations and concerns for the “confessing” church as it was deemed and referred to in Germany after the regime clearly controlled the “brownshirt German Christian Church” after the mid-thirties. If any of you are seeking a most interesting pertinent church historical read, though be aware much of it is quite comparable to the shenanigans we are witnessing in our government and culture today, I highly recommend Bonhoeffer.
Incidentally, to help us rise above the negative about us and focus on His truth, I recently heard that for Christ-followers, every morning is Easter morning. Go forth every day in the Light of Easter!>>>>>merlin
PS.
Bottom line, just so you know, in order for me to accomplish the four points above ( to listen, be kind, be sensitive, counteract or eliminate prejudice), I must learn to utilize the dreaded phone and invest my precious time in listening, while being kind, sensitive and counteracting prejudice wherever encountered. Using the phone frequently for voice interaction/communication from here forth is what I need to surrender to His process today. Yes, and perhaps even after all the social distancing criteria are long forgotten and we return to more normal social interactions.