Recently, I was reading a bit of David Kinnaman's thought-provoking book unChristian. (Baker Books, reprint 2007.) It deals with the younger generation's prevailing perception both of the evangelical church and of the gospel message we present.The purpose of the book is to help Christians today realize that the things we say might mean something very different to the culture we are trying to reach- we need to know what they're hearing.The Gospel doesn't need help; the Gospel-bearers do. Just like trying to witness in a foreign language, we may not be connecting.
He reveals surprising answers from those surveyed. I was surprised by his statement that, according to the research, many of the people we are reaching out to are not unchurched, but rather de-churched. That is, they have been significantly impacted by the church at some point in their lives but have chosen not to maintain that connection. The book has many eye-opening passages. It would be a great resource for anyone who wants to reach others for Christ and especially for pastors who want their churches to offer more than a schedule of services. It is a strong reminder that Christianity has a brand - how we represent Christ to those around us is very important. We must be cautious that as we shun evil, decry wickedness and herald political righteousness that we are not really using religion as a smokescreen for behavior that is hypocritical, self-centered and safe. The point is not to "pretty up" the Gospel, but to model Christ authentically, with His motives and love.
This perception challege is really nothing new. Christianity has always suffered from bad publicity. Remember the days of Nero? Christian wasn't a positive title then. It probably meant then what it means to some now - bigot, uneducated, uncaring, strange.
But no perception can stand against the radical truth of Jesus' teaching. The principles we are to live by can shatter any argument. Love your enemies. Go the second mile. Return good for evil. This kind of public relations cannot be smothered by public opinion. It's shocking and attractive message is unchanging. It draws others to Christ in us, to the love and mercy found in Him. It is a message that is people-focused. And that describes Jesus' earthly ministry pretty well.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
never forgetting
Ten years ago today, I was a young mother who had just sent my first-grader off to school and was home with my three-year-old and one-year-old. The Quesenberry family was living in Birminghan, AL in the fall of 2001. My first awareness of the events of that tragic day came in the form of a phone call from one of our parishioners who asked me if I had heard the news. She then proceeded to tell me what was unfolding. From that moment on, I was glued to the images and reports of our national tragedy, today known simply as 9/11. I remember flying a flag on my car. I remember an impulsive desire to go to NYC as if my presence would make a statement to the world that ordinary citizens cared. I remember a strange sense of mourning for people I didn't know who died that morning - on ariplanes, in skyscrapers or at a military desk.
For my family, the national horror receded just four days later when on September 14, 2001, my youngest brother was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in rural Indiana. That first weekend following the 9/11 attacks found me watching the media coverage in the waiting area of the trauma unit of Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. There were flags and ribbons on hospital bulletin boards; medical staff wore flags on their scrubs and the recovery and clean-up efforts were the biggest news of the week. But now I understood that, no matter the scale of a tragedy, for the families personally involved, the scope narrows down to the one you love. Being unable to talk to them, being helpless to aid them, being unsure if they would live - all part of the grief that obliterates the sun and clouds the future.
By God's miraculous intervention, my brother left the hospital a few weeks later and after spending time in rehab was able to return home. His medical team thought it would be months before he walked again, but he was walking before Thanksgiving of that year. His recovery is a gift, and we are thankful.
Yet, many who suffered anguish on that day in 2001 did not experience a return to life. For them, grief has become the new normal. Missing that loved one is now an unwelcome, but routine, part of living. Today must be a bitter reminder of all that was lost and all that will never be.
In all of this, God is the constant. The terrors of earth cannot sway His power or shake His faithfulness. He has been there in the cataclysmic moments of my life; He is there for all who call on Him. Our world is cursed by sin and those who commit evil acts because of it, but He is a refuge for all who need His strength.
On every anniversary of 9/11, I have tried to listen to at least part of the ceremonial "reading of the names." There are so many. They represent people of many ages, many vocations and many ethnicities, but all created in the image of God and loved by someone somewhere. God knew them all, and in the vast scope of horror on that day, He didn't miss anyone in the smoke or lose sight of anyone in a stairwell or on the floor of a cockpit. He didn't forget about firefighters who put others before self; He didn't lose track of officers working in a government building. He didn't overlook a plane pitching over quiet Pennsylvania. He is the God Who is good and loving though wicked men use their free will to violate the rights of others. He is the Christ Who weeps with the bereft. He is the Lord Who helps a nation pick up the fragments and build again. He is the Father Who is faithful to all who call upon Him. Today, I remember, and with my nation, I mourn. But not without hope.
For my family, the national horror receded just four days later when on September 14, 2001, my youngest brother was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in rural Indiana. That first weekend following the 9/11 attacks found me watching the media coverage in the waiting area of the trauma unit of Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. There were flags and ribbons on hospital bulletin boards; medical staff wore flags on their scrubs and the recovery and clean-up efforts were the biggest news of the week. But now I understood that, no matter the scale of a tragedy, for the families personally involved, the scope narrows down to the one you love. Being unable to talk to them, being helpless to aid them, being unsure if they would live - all part of the grief that obliterates the sun and clouds the future.
By God's miraculous intervention, my brother left the hospital a few weeks later and after spending time in rehab was able to return home. His medical team thought it would be months before he walked again, but he was walking before Thanksgiving of that year. His recovery is a gift, and we are thankful.
Yet, many who suffered anguish on that day in 2001 did not experience a return to life. For them, grief has become the new normal. Missing that loved one is now an unwelcome, but routine, part of living. Today must be a bitter reminder of all that was lost and all that will never be.
In all of this, God is the constant. The terrors of earth cannot sway His power or shake His faithfulness. He has been there in the cataclysmic moments of my life; He is there for all who call on Him. Our world is cursed by sin and those who commit evil acts because of it, but He is a refuge for all who need His strength.
On every anniversary of 9/11, I have tried to listen to at least part of the ceremonial "reading of the names." There are so many. They represent people of many ages, many vocations and many ethnicities, but all created in the image of God and loved by someone somewhere. God knew them all, and in the vast scope of horror on that day, He didn't miss anyone in the smoke or lose sight of anyone in a stairwell or on the floor of a cockpit. He didn't forget about firefighters who put others before self; He didn't lose track of officers working in a government building. He didn't overlook a plane pitching over quiet Pennsylvania. He is the God Who is good and loving though wicked men use their free will to violate the rights of others. He is the Christ Who weeps with the bereft. He is the Lord Who helps a nation pick up the fragments and build again. He is the Father Who is faithful to all who call upon Him. Today, I remember, and with my nation, I mourn. But not without hope.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
the fragrance heaven loves
"Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee." (Psalm 141:2, RSV)
"What is incense good for? It appears to serve no practical purpose at all, and its smoke and fragrance soon dissipate. Our prayers are like that because they seem to accomplish little and they soon vanish, but God likes the smell of them." (-Elisabeth Elliot, Be Still My Soul, Revell, 2003, p.111)
What a thought this is! No matter that we cannot see the productivity of our praying - God says it is pleasing to Him. It lends another level of importance to the words we offer to Him. Not only are we interceding on another's behalf or asking for personal guidance or declaring blessing on a friend, we are involved in something that brings delight to our Father.
In recent years, I have discovered that prayer is not at all limited to the benefits we can see. God uses every word I bring to Him to further His purpose in my life. And the prayers I offer in my deepest chasm brings me nearer Him than I could imagine. After all, He is the One to whom the fragrance rises; what appears to disappear on earth ascends to heaven's throne room where it is effectual and blessed.
"What is incense good for? It appears to serve no practical purpose at all, and its smoke and fragrance soon dissipate. Our prayers are like that because they seem to accomplish little and they soon vanish, but God likes the smell of them." (-Elisabeth Elliot, Be Still My Soul, Revell, 2003, p.111)
What a thought this is! No matter that we cannot see the productivity of our praying - God says it is pleasing to Him. It lends another level of importance to the words we offer to Him. Not only are we interceding on another's behalf or asking for personal guidance or declaring blessing on a friend, we are involved in something that brings delight to our Father.
In recent years, I have discovered that prayer is not at all limited to the benefits we can see. God uses every word I bring to Him to further His purpose in my life. And the prayers I offer in my deepest chasm brings me nearer Him than I could imagine. After all, He is the One to whom the fragrance rises; what appears to disappear on earth ascends to heaven's throne room where it is effectual and blessed.
Monday, May 23, 2011
the wedding day is coming
Just two days ago, many people were devastated when the rapture didn't take place. Now these disillusionsed and disheartened followers must return to daily life, picking up routines and paying unwanted bills. It must be heartbreaking for those who truly believed they would now be in the glorious other-world.
My sympathy is extended to both leader and followers. While I certainly feel that the prediction was unwise and do not agree with other parts of the group's theology/eschatology, I believe they need our compassion and forbearance, not our ridicule.
It is no light thing they have embraced. Indeed, all of us who read His Word should have the hope deep within us that He is coming again.
What is important to understand, however, is that the return of Jesus is not a mere doomsday cliche; it is the fulfillment of His promise, a very important event in His relationship with us, the church. The sequence of future events should be viewed in the context of the sacred romance of Christ and His bride.
He betrothed us unto Himself and signified it with the cup of wine at the Last Supper with His disciples. Then He paid the bride price (necessary in every Jewish marriage) with His own blood on the cross. He told us in John 14 that He was going to prepare a place for us (all Hebrew grooms went back to their father's house to prepare a chamber for the bride). He promised that when His Father gave the word, He would return to take us to be forever with Him (only the groom's father could give the word for the groom to get his bride). He told us to be ready at any time for His return (Hebrew grooms often came at night, with a shofar blast and an announcement by his friends, to joyfully steal the bride away). He promised us His unimagineable love and a home with Him for eternity.
While those who do not love Him will be surpised by His sudden appearance one day, those who are part of the Bride will be delighted when He comes. What bride is not excited on her wedding day? Has she not been expecting and longing for that day to arrive? Has she not yearned to see her beloved's face? For us, it will not be a day of fear and dread, but an hour of unrivaled joy.
The recent prediction gave an opportunity for the scoffers to whoop with derision. But just as false labor only means the birth is looming closer, so the day of the Lord gets ever nearer. (Mark 13:8) And though no man knows that time, the Father does.
(Isn't it interesting that God uses two metaphors for Christ's return which symbolize the greatest joys in a woman's life - weddings and births.)
God keeps His word; He waits so that more may become part of the Bride. While they scorn, He invites them. (1 Peter 3:3-14) He doesn't want anyone to be excluded.
God has written a great romance story. Christ's return is the next big event in our holy relationship with Him. No matter who predicts or scoffs, that day WILL come. And blessed are those who are found on that day dressed in the robe of His righteousness with a heart fully devoted to the bridegroom!
Scriptural Reference:
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him the glory. For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7
For more on the sacred romance of Christ and the Church, see the study Redeeming Romance.
My sympathy is extended to both leader and followers. While I certainly feel that the prediction was unwise and do not agree with other parts of the group's theology/eschatology, I believe they need our compassion and forbearance, not our ridicule.
It is no light thing they have embraced. Indeed, all of us who read His Word should have the hope deep within us that He is coming again.
What is important to understand, however, is that the return of Jesus is not a mere doomsday cliche; it is the fulfillment of His promise, a very important event in His relationship with us, the church. The sequence of future events should be viewed in the context of the sacred romance of Christ and His bride.
He betrothed us unto Himself and signified it with the cup of wine at the Last Supper with His disciples. Then He paid the bride price (necessary in every Jewish marriage) with His own blood on the cross. He told us in John 14 that He was going to prepare a place for us (all Hebrew grooms went back to their father's house to prepare a chamber for the bride). He promised that when His Father gave the word, He would return to take us to be forever with Him (only the groom's father could give the word for the groom to get his bride). He told us to be ready at any time for His return (Hebrew grooms often came at night, with a shofar blast and an announcement by his friends, to joyfully steal the bride away). He promised us His unimagineable love and a home with Him for eternity.
While those who do not love Him will be surpised by His sudden appearance one day, those who are part of the Bride will be delighted when He comes. What bride is not excited on her wedding day? Has she not been expecting and longing for that day to arrive? Has she not yearned to see her beloved's face? For us, it will not be a day of fear and dread, but an hour of unrivaled joy.
The recent prediction gave an opportunity for the scoffers to whoop with derision. But just as false labor only means the birth is looming closer, so the day of the Lord gets ever nearer. (Mark 13:8) And though no man knows that time, the Father does.
(Isn't it interesting that God uses two metaphors for Christ's return which symbolize the greatest joys in a woman's life - weddings and births.)
God keeps His word; He waits so that more may become part of the Bride. While they scorn, He invites them. (1 Peter 3:3-14) He doesn't want anyone to be excluded.
God has written a great romance story. Christ's return is the next big event in our holy relationship with Him. No matter who predicts or scoffs, that day WILL come. And blessed are those who are found on that day dressed in the robe of His righteousness with a heart fully devoted to the bridegroom!
Wedding Day (Listen here)
- words and music by Brent Lamb
Lately I've been thinking as I look all around me
I see by the signs that we're soon going to be leaving
The Bridegroom is coming to take us all away
May be tomorrow, but I pray that it's today
Chorus:
And we will fly away in the twinkling of an eye
Leaving all our heartaches and telling them all goodbye
Yes we will fly away when He hears His Father say,
"Jesus, go and get your bride, today's Your wedding day"
Now when we see the Bridegroom in the clouds in the sky
Will He be telling you hello or telling you goodbye?
Oh, be sure and be ready to meet Him face to face
We've got to fight the good fight, we've got to keep our faith
Scriptural Reference:
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him the glory. For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7
For more on the sacred romance of Christ and the Church, see the study Redeeming Romance.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
"real" beauty
Just like our appetite for monster fountain drinks and mammoth screens, the modern template of feminine beauty is out of proportion. One college student illustrated this clearly with a life size replica of Barbie which was displayed during the school's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The student, Galia Slayen, is an anorexia survivor; I'm guessing this was a personal battle between Barbie and her. (see the Barbie here)
Now, I'm not a Barbie hater; in fact, I played with them as a little girl (gasp!) and never really believed that she represented perfection (guess my firstborn nature had its own opinions!). But I understand that it can be confusing to little girls and completely understand why some parents won't allow them in the playroom. Certainly our daughters don't need another reminder of their supposed "inadequacies."
But, the real problem is the society that laughs at the ridiculous proportions of Barbie on a life size scale, but continues to crave that kind of beauty in ourselves and our entertainment. We embrace our own pain by believing the Barbie lie.
Beauty is real, beauty has power, and beauty as created by God is good. But, beauty in our culture is suffering from inflated expectations - both of those who want to own it and those who want to look at it.
Beauty must be kept in proper perspective, and that means remembering that Barbie is only a doll, a concotion of plastic and synthetics; the invention of a corporation who created a "beauty" not possible in real women as God made them. Like baby dolls who never cry or teddy bears who go to tea parties, Barbie is an illusion. And that's a comforting thought actually; because in real life dimensions, Barbie is a bit terrifying.
Now, I'm not a Barbie hater; in fact, I played with them as a little girl (gasp!) and never really believed that she represented perfection (guess my firstborn nature had its own opinions!). But I understand that it can be confusing to little girls and completely understand why some parents won't allow them in the playroom. Certainly our daughters don't need another reminder of their supposed "inadequacies."
But, the real problem is the society that laughs at the ridiculous proportions of Barbie on a life size scale, but continues to crave that kind of beauty in ourselves and our entertainment. We embrace our own pain by believing the Barbie lie.
Beauty is real, beauty has power, and beauty as created by God is good. But, beauty in our culture is suffering from inflated expectations - both of those who want to own it and those who want to look at it.
Beauty must be kept in proper perspective, and that means remembering that Barbie is only a doll, a concotion of plastic and synthetics; the invention of a corporation who created a "beauty" not possible in real women as God made them. Like baby dolls who never cry or teddy bears who go to tea parties, Barbie is an illusion. And that's a comforting thought actually; because in real life dimensions, Barbie is a bit terrifying.
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