More on the State of the Church around the World

The state of the church around the world might seem hopeless when you watch the world news. The Isis destruction of Christian houses of worship and treasured Christian artifacts, the oppression and killing of Christians in Africa and the Middle East, all are very disturbing current events. It seems barbaric to see these tragedies happening as they did in the past during the crusades. When I was in Turkey I saw many Muslim and Greek temple artifacts that had been damaged by Christian crusaders. History seems doomed to repeat itself unfortunately. George Bernard Shaw once said, “If history repeats itself, how incapable must man be of learning from experience.”

Wikipedia reminds us about the massacres that occurred during the first crusades that remain in historical records. “The First Crusade was part of the Papal response to the Muslim conquests, and was followed by the Second to the Ninth Crusades. The Roman Christian crusade was political more than religious-based and the first major step towards reopening international trade in the West since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The Crusaders arrived at Jerusalem, launched an assault on the city, and captured it in July 1099, massacring many of the city's Muslim, Christian, and Jewish inhabitants.” (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Crusade)

Isis causes us to reflect on this history as they proclaim an aim to conquer Rome. Yet the people joining Isis are not all Muslim. They are those who feel hopeless about their own lives so they look for ways to get power, fame, and fortune. James Reese, CNN Global Affairs Analyst, stated that ISIS members are using Islam as a shield but most are not true Muslims. He said as they analyze those joining Isis, they discover that some purchased the book: “Islam for Dummies” to learn what they are supposed to say to impersonate having the Muslim faith. Nevertheless, Isis is using desperate means to get attention. 

Evil does exist in this world. Yet it should not make us feel hopeless about the survival of Christianity, but rather inspire us to be more prayerful, ecumenical, and trusting in God.When I am feeling scared by the news and hopeless about the state of our earth that God planned to be a kingdom of peace “on earth as it is in heaven,” I turn to reassuring scriptures such as these:

·       For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

·       But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. (Psalm 3:3)

·       And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15)

·       The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

·       Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord God Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6)

·       Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The Lord your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you. (Deut. 31:6)

May your faith never fail and may you always trust in these words knowing that our almighty God is more powerful than any evil on earth. The good news we can trust in the face of terror is that God’s love will win in the end. So be optimistic about the state of the church and let God’s love flow out from you to each person you meet proving that God’s love is powerfully real in the world today.

9 Things I Know About the "State of the Church"

When I was asked to preach at the Synod of the Pacific meeting coming up, I felt as if I should fashion some sort of “State of the Church” sermon. But then I realized I have no idea what the “State of the Church” is right now! But these things I DO know based on: my past 10 years as an ordained minister, personal experience attending two East Coast seminaries, and from leading the Church of the Roses historic church in Santa Rosa, currently.

Photo credit: http://meridianpointchurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/State-of-the-church-1024x576.jpg

1.  The church is growing. By the end of May we will have 30 new members in the past year and ½. Promoting authentic faith and preaching inclusivity and love with enthusiasm for the future while promoting new and meaningful missional connections to the regional community (and to orphanages in Haiti) seem to inspire attention to the church and growth. The congregation is more diverse than it has ever been in its 62 year history.

2.   Even when you build a Youth Ministry they might not come. We discovered after hiring a Director of Youth Activities that the high school youth that attend our free breakfast every morning are 75% Catholic. That means they are probably not interested in joining us for worship or other church programs. But, they need community service hours and Catholic charities might help us fund our breakfast program in the future.

3.   The churches I know well on the West and East coasts are very happy about the Same Sex Marriage amendment  and have new hope for the future of the PCUSA. I am glad to have the freedom to conduct a holy marriage service and seal a covenant of love and commitment among all sorts of couples who wish to do so. This is the healthy way to live as couples, in a loving covenant.

4.   There is a place for keeping traditional hymns and liturgy while merging them with newer creative ways of doing worship.  We are trying more hands on participatory worship experiences. They are fun to try even if there isn’t a big influx in attendance for these services, yet….

5.   People love to learn about the physical effects of prayer and the advantages of having faith. When I share information about the evidence-based faith and health studies the congregation seems more motivated to deepen their faith.

6.   When people quit coming to church that doesn’t always mean they don’t like church. It is because as they age they have more and more trouble getting up in time. Consider creating a later service. Include a communal meal each Sunday there isn’t another food related event. Food is a draw for every congregation and group. Engaging the community (even if food is involved) is the harder sell if they aren’t church goers to begin with.

7.   Jesus is still the best thing we have as a beacon of hope to light up our PCUSA’s future.  The unique nature of our Lord and savior, when understood, helps us value faith. Help them see that faith is a verb. The more we show God’s love in action, the more action our church receives from the curious and blessed. The pastor must be an ambassador of the church everywhere. Talking to cashiers, store clerks, café chefs, and haircutters creates a connection to the church that may reap newcomers visiting for worship in the future.

8.   Making friends with the hungry who come for our free food bags each day connected us to our first baby and three adults for baptism in 7 years. We reach out to not only be good imitators of Christ, but until they are asked, most of those folks in need don’t assume they will be welcomed to a church service.

9.   Don’t be afraid....try something new, reach out to the misfits, speak your heart, and love unconditionally. Be a fearless love and peace-promoter wherever you go. Memorize Isaiah 41: 10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (NIV)