| I find this to be an interesting take on "church" language. For people who experience themselves in the presence of God's Spirit, two different movements follow, movements which are related but alternate: 1. The gathering of Christians in the church, 2. The sending out of the church to Christianity in the world. By the church we understand 'the gathered congregation', which comes together for worship and in mutual trust; and by Christianity in the world we mean the church as it is dispersed in families, vocation, jobs and social groups. The meaning and scope of the church is not exhausted when people become 'churchgoers'. It is also present in Christianity in the world. What takes place in the gathered congregation 'religiously' takes place in Christianity in the world in families, and in social and political relationships. Here the church is not represented by theologians. It is represented by Christians in different jobs. Even if these people are called the laity in the context of the church's worship (though that is wrong in itself), where Christianity in the world is concerned they are the experts in their professions, not the theologians. What an odd consideration. Christianity in the world is concerned that people are experts in their professions - not theologians out there. In other words, people out in the world take what they go together in worship and in the congregation and that shapes the way they operate in the world. They are Christianity. When you think about it, that is a moving statement. When each of us is 'out there' we are there as a part of Christianity. It is no wonder that Christianity leave such a bad taste in people's mouths. For what goes on out in the world does not leave a witness to the Reign of God that is blowing around us by the Spirit everyday. Usually Christianity comes to mean the folks who want to make the rest of the world Christian as they are Christian. They then become converting machines - not pretty and never will be. I suppose this piece hits me because of the conversations we can hear around the Islamic Center that may go in near the twin towers work. Muslims are being characterized as pushy, trying to take over people who will do anything to get their way as the way for all. I hear this from Christian voices that seem to be describing themselves. Rather than be a living witness to the life of Christ in and through the things that we do 'expertly' too many parts of Christianity find the need to be "fundamentalist Christian jihadists" (a borrowed term) to make everyone a part of this empire with a cross. Connection: Be an expert in what you do and love as ones who expertly follow Christ right out into the everyday world around us. Let's see what that creates. Come, Holy Spirit - make us bold and wise and loving and ready to meet all people as though we were your Christ. Amen. |
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