Sunday, January 24, 2010
hmm. . . not sure what to title this. . .
So this post is a post to get my thoughts out and to get some feedback. This is a post most specifically written to my Mennonite readers. The Mennonite culture is the culture I grew up in, and it’s the one I know the most about. It might apply to other cultures but, yeah like I said, I was born and raised Mennonite, it’s all I know. So if you aren’t Mennonite and you’re reading this post. I have no desire to make you feel left out. You will most likely get a bit of an education on some areas. :) and for the record, I don’t think it matters if you are ‘Mennonite’ or not. What matters is a living, vibrant, growing relationship with Christ. Anyway now that that’s out of the way. . .
Lately, I have been getting really. . . frustrated with the Mennonite church. Not exactly the most wonderful thing to hear, right? But hear me out here. . .
We, the Mennonites, have become lazy. We enter our Mennonite communities, make our livelihood, surround ourselves with fellow Mennonites, and that our life. We are lazy. I say that because so often that is our Christianity. We think that that’s all it takes to being a Christian. Then we get so hung up with ‘stuff’, and forget about God. We forget that we are here to reach a dying world. We are here to turn the world upside down. And I don’t know about you but I haven’t seen very much of that coming from the Mennonite church. We are looked at as an oddity, some sort of museum feature, instead of as the body of Christ constantly reaching out to there community and the world. (now I realize Christians will always be looked at as ‘odd’. but please get the point I am trying to make and don’t get hung up on that) Lancaster is filled to the brim with Mennonites, Las Vegas is almost empty. We seem to run from sin, instead of running to meet it head on knowing that we have the power to beat it. We cower in fear at the man covered from head to toe in tattoos and piercings, instead of running to embrace him with the love of Christ. What’s wrong with us?
Once upon a time the world experienced an explosion of Christianity. That explosion happened during some of the most brutal persecution. That to me makes almost no sense. People are getting killed left and right, brutally killed left and right, and Christianity is growing incredibly. Then something happened. . . what happened I don’t really know. But I have my theory. My theory is this. Somewhere along the line someone caved in. Someone decided that to live peaceably with all men meant to be still and quiet. To go live in the hills hidden from society and keep to themselves. Instead of running to meet opposition and dealing with it that way, they ran for the hills and were still and quiet. I can’t say as I blame that someone. Opposition/persecution terrifies me. But neither can I say that that makes it right.
So now we live in a world where 9 year olds hang themselves, 13 year olds kill classmates, girls sell themselves, and gangs are always growing. Our world is desperate for love, for Someone to rescue them from themselves. And here we sit all nice in cozy in our little communities. We go on a few mission trips, our churches have VBS, and we call it square. Our world is screaming for help. We have the best kind of help and we sit at home on the internet.
Now this is where my thoughts reach an abrupt halt.
I am tired of living my Christian life this way. I want to make a difference in the lives of the people around me. I want to reach the hungry, the desperate, the hopeless. Even if I don’t make a difference I want to be out there being Jesus to people. But like I said my thoughts abruptly halt here. Because I have no idea how to do that. . . I know there is a way. Look at the early church, that beautiful explosion of people being changed by Christ. I am also pretty sure it isn’t how the Mennonite church has been operating the last 10 years or more.
But how?? I am asking, hoping that you all have some great ideas for me.
So speak to me, people.
note: I am speaking of the Mennonite church in general not every single Mennonite church. I know that there are some Mennonite churches out there who are making a difference. Who are very far from lazy. So yeah, just wanted to clear that up.
_________________________
I know, I know two posts in two days?!? and one of those an essay post?!? What's wrong with Brittany?!?
I don't know. . . But anyway. There they are. And if you aren't a Mennonite and you have ideas for me about the above post. PLEASE SHARE!! I am not trying to be exclusive AT ALL. I don't know enough about other denominations to write about them that's all.
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Well, I hesitate to comment because I know what you mean by sitting at home on the internet. I've tried to get my thoughts into words, and now I have. To actually act upon those thoughts takes more than social networking. That's too comfortable, too impersonal. Oh, and did I mention too safe?
So, since I am giving you feedback, I agree with you 100% Brittany. I believe that the primary hindrance in confronting this world is simply comfort. Or, fear of losing our comfort.
Not to compete with your theory or anything, but I have had one too. Notice it's just a theory.
When persecution came in the early church, the focus seemed to have been divided. There was the urgency to share God's love with the persecutors, and I think that there was also an urgency to stop the persecution as the number of Christians grew. Like now we're so big we can have a political voice. Then comes the combination of church and state. Well, you know history. The Church takes over government and persecutes the nonbelievers. The point to the whole thing is that Christians can't get along with the world unless we completely control it, but we can't; this is Satan's kingdom. God will do all that in the end. Our focus should never be on our comfort but on the lost. Oh, and here I sit in a nice new recliner. What if everything would be just taken away from us? We think it would be so terrible, but what would we lose? Our comfort. Amongst millions of dying, starving, homeless, parentless houseless people. Even now I think "once I'm done with school I'll have lots of time, or lots of money and then I can start reaching out to the lost." Yeah right. The past couple of days the Lord has been showing me a little at a time that this moment is the moment to reach out. All it takes is love, time, compassion... where do I get all those things? A job? No! Christ gave us this day, his love, his life, his strength and his compassion to reach out right now any moment. Timidity is my number one weakness. I falter when trying to speak truth and fear what people will say to me. Fear of rejection. No! Who care's if I'm rejected. It's Christ they reject. The pain I feel is the pain Christ felt from the mockers below as he hung on the cross. Brit, I guess start living right now. Not just waiting till we've got time. I'm sick of waiting. relationships take time to cultivate. We can just push Christianity, but everything today is just pushed on people. No, I think taking time to love and build relationships is what we need to do. In a fast paced world we have to work so slow. It seems so wrong, but look at Jesus Christ. He visited homes, and talked to individuals of no social status. He is a king!
Anyway, I have these thoughts and these things impressed on my heart as of late. Pray for me and other Christians. Wake up! realize it's right now, now is the time to love, to act on that love.
Don't just think, act.
Don't just feel, love.
Don't just watch, engage this world.
Anthony Jeffries
Who wants to move to Las Vagas?! May I see your hand?
Not long ago I heard a radio preacher talk about his recent time at a porn convention in Vagas. What?! Yeah, his church had a booth set up and they were handing out free Christian literature. These conventioneers were all into the free stuff . . . maybe 'til they realized what it REALLY was.
That's pretty radical. Not sure if I could do it and maintain my spiritual integrity. I wish I could, because I like the idea of going to war against the devil on his own territory. But you have to avoid naivety (sp?).
It seems like there should be a balance somewhere. I don't know.
In response to Tony--
I agree with you. Completely. Thank you for sharing, I especially like the last part.
"don't just think, act.
don't just feel, love.
don't just watch, engage this world."
The thing I get hung up on is the last one. . . How do I engage this world?? How can I reach out?? Like what are some practical ways to turn these thoughts into reality.
The thought of going into a mall and sitting in the food court, randomly picking people to sit with kinda frightens me. Handing out tracks also has always frightened me. But is that the answer?? Is that the best way to reach people?? I don't want to throw myself or my God at someone, I want to build a relationship with that person. Which is why tracks have always been hard for me. I am someone who loves spending time with people and listening to their heart. That's my favorite way of sharing Christ with someone. :) But that doesn't mean it's the only way, I guess. . .
Our family will be starting a bulk food store out here. So I will get to meet lots and lots of people. I am hoping to have at least some people I can build relationships with. I am also going to be babysitting some the next little while for a family and am hoping that can be built into something lasting. But is there more that I can do?? I would love some ideas. :)
In response to Wengerd--
I don't really want to move to Las Vegas. But I will if that's where God wants me.
I don't think you have to go to porn conventions to reach people for Christ. I would hate to put any man or woman in a place like that. But if that is where God wants someone to reach out to culture, than so be it, I guess. We had a discussion on something of this nature at Bible School. I think you can go to war with the devil in his own territory without going to a porn convention or something equally extreme. . . But those are simply my thoughts on that.
No, I don't like giving out tracks is even a very good idea. It's like saying "here, take this, figure it out and be saved." I know that if I had been given one when I wasn't a Christian I would have simply dismissed it.(Which I happen to have done) Tracks were always stupid cartoons made to make one feel guilty or afraid with a prayer in the back that really didn't explain anything of the love of God. That's how I saw them anyway. Now that I am a follower of Christ, I still think them ineffective. What's the point? Without accountability a commitment like that is likely no to last long anyway. It is much better to have never made a vow than to break one. yeah, their given in good intent, but there is so much more to just passing little notes to the lost. Hello, there's this thing called a relationship. People are relational. It's what we thrive on.
As for what to DO, I will get back with you on that one. :) this week I'm not going to sit in my little world and ignore the rest. I'm committing myself to Christ's work. First thing's first. Pray for opportunity. Pray for words to speak. Ask the Father for help. I bet He's just dying for us to come to him rather than trying to figure it all out. Ask for guidance. The Spirit is here to help, to strengthen and to encourage.
Anthony Jeffries
First, I heartily say ‘Amen’ to your statements! It isn’t just a Mennonite problem. I have become frustrated with the Church – we who call ourselves children of God – and how we are so wrapped up in living for ourselves. Our activities, functions, etc… are all centered around US – what we can do for US. Then we can throw some money in the offering plate every now and then and send up a prayer or two for those missionaries laboring in faraway lands. Yet. . .something is missing.
As 2010 turned on its hinges, God gave me three words to live by.
{contentment}
{prayer}
{compassion}
With a need to learn to say with Paul that I have learned in whatsoever state I am in to be content, I am pursuing contentment in Jesus Christ alone. To be satisfied where He has placed me, to seek to give my very existence to Him here and now.
Prayer comes along as a very necessary ingredient, to strength, equip and make me ready. I ask God to tear the scales from my eyes and let me see more of Him – of where He is working and how He wants me to join. It is a Beauty adventure – He, the Author of Beauty has called me to love beauty like He does.
And lastly, compassion. The ‘real deal’ is a far cry from what I have grown up knowing and thinking. It calls me to get away from ‘comfortableness’ – to step into the dirty, the grimy, the broken and see beauty. To love as Jesus loves, walk where He walks, do what He does, think His thoughts and breathe His breath. It is part of this Beauty-adventure. He, very God, calling me to love what He loves – and the very epitome of that is to look in the broken for Beauty. For doesn’t He delight in turning mourning to joy, broken to beauty, dirty to clean? He has done it with me, and desires me to see others the way He sees and saw me.
Compassion is a far cry from sympathy. This is causing me to rethink my mindset:
Sympathy: feeling sorry for people who are hurting
Empathy: feeling the pain with hurting people
Compassion: doing something about the pain
And so. . .as I become one with Him, it’ll transform my very existence, and He can do His work through me. It’s a journey. I fear I don’t have the answers you are seeking for. But I’ll let you know when I find out more. Will you do the same with me too? Thanks for the challenge.
To Tony-- would love to hear the stories from your week then. . . :) I like the idea of praying for opportunities, and asking God to bring people to me. It's a great idea!! :)
To Ruth Ann-- thank you for sharing. . . You gave me some excellent thoughts!! It's also great to hear a bit more of where you find yourself and to hear your heart speaking. :)
Thanks everybody for taking the time to comment. For giving me ideas and for sharing your wisdom. :) If you discover something more about this subject and have some more ideas for me, don't be afraid to share. :) I love hearing ideas!!
First of all, it's TRACTS not TRACKS! (Thanks for letting me get that out of the way.:-))
Second, though tracts may not be the best way to share the Gospel, they are a legitimate way. I have heard stories of people getting saved via tracts (and God's Spirit). But I do agree that personal contact is the most effective way. After all, Jesus said to make disciples and to teach them His commands, etc.
Third, I have been enjoying going into the LEC for Bible study. The last time I was in, there was a guy that asked all kinds of questions. He claimed to be an agnostic. Everybody needs to have a spiritual conversation with an agnostic (or atheist).
I would say, find the area of ministry that you enjoy, and go for it! Yeah, talking to random people at the mall wouldn't be for me either. It's too much like "selling", and I don't do selling.
Remember: witnessing is being, not just doing. If you "are", then it would be natural for you to "do".
so, I know this has been awhile, but you see, I have something coming up this weekend that seems to me to be a step in this direction.
Brit, I've never been one to pass out tracts either. It has frightened me in a way. I guess partly because I don't always know what to say and don't want to throw something in their face and leave them like that's the only answer. But then, a word in due season does a lot of things. If you can ask some questions and show you genuinely care for the person, then are able to leave them with a tract that will hopefully prompt more thought later. Yeah, I don't know.
But this weekend. There is this opportunity for me to be in a Civil War parade...and well, I was going to back out for selfish reasons, cause I was thinking it was all about me. Then what it boils down to, is that we would be able to have tracts and pass them out to people, thus having an opportunity to share/meet people/etc..
But, I'm scared. Is passing out tracts the answer? Well, I don't completely rule it out, but I don't think it is the only answer. In this opinion, at an event with lots of people...maybe there is even just one person that is ready, that needs to hear this message.
I just feel like I'm going to mess up majorly. I don't want it to be about me, cause it isn't. I want it to be about God, but I feel that I'll stumble over my words and make a huge mess. =(
I guess that's what holds me back so often. I'm afraid of what they might think, afraid that my testimony may not be clear or afraid that they won't realize their great need. But that's not going to help them.
You've heard this analogy before, but it bears repeating. If people were in a burning building, wouldn't you go and warn them of the danger that they face? Such is the fact of people living without Christ - they are headed straight to hell unless they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Last year I heard a video clip from an atheist who had been handed a tract by a Christian. He was still opposed to Christianity but he had been affected. The athiest's question was: How much do you have to hate someone to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them? Tracts do have their place, but we must realize we are walking testimonials. That is scary sometimes.
Just this week I read an article titled 'Hateful Christians' which sums this up so much, and I thought you'd enjoy reading it Brit. Here it is: http://www.joyfullyathomeblog.com/2010/02/hateful-christians.html
Well, sorry to leave yet another long comment...but if you think of me, please pray for me this weekend - that it would be God living in this frail human body and speaking, living, acting and sharing for His glory. And if He's wanting me to pass tracts then that I would do it with JOY and I would walk in His steps.
Love you much!
Ruth Ann
As someone who doesn't even know you, I've found your post both intriguing and revealing. Any kind of "conservative culture" suggests a culture that is worth conserving or keeping...at least in somebody's mind.
Over the last three years I have been doing a lot of reading and writing on Mennonite culture. I recently wrote a lengthy paper on Mennonite culture, and I am still doing a lot of research. My google search for "Mennonite Culture" brought up your post. Thanks for posting. Take care.
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