05-01-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 1, 2024
In less than 24 hours, I had three separate people ask me in one way or another, “How did Christianity get so far away from the core teachings of Jesus?” I wish I could push back and say, “Oh, Christianity hasn’t gotten too far off,” but if I were to say such a thing, I would be lying. Understanding how we got here is complicated, but it has to do with the pursuit of the wrong values and priorities. But in today’s Etching, in light of the question I was asked by three separate people, I would rather talk about God’s absolute commitment to the promise of love. In spite of all the cringe-worthy, unjust, and even murderous choices of the church, there are an immeasurable number of merciful acts, expressions of compassion, and self-giving love. In spite of a very flawed institution, if you pause long enough, you realize how God has not tossed in the towel and walked away from the church. The bad stuff is bad, and there is no excuse for it. Yet God has not given up!

As a church, even when horrific events did not occur under the watch of our local congregation, there needs to be confession and an acknowledgement of how we have failed. Without admission and contrition, the church can so easily find itself doing the very things it supposedly finds detestable. When we know our history, make the choice to take the failures seriously, and seek to redress the wrong, we open ourselves to the possibility of joining God in the never-ending stream of Christ-like love that has always found expression, no matter how misguided some aspects of the church might have been. This might sound like I am diminishing the work of the church, but I think I am celebrating the power of God to create little miracles, whether or not the church itself is acting very Christ-like.

I give you thanks, God of Immeasurable Patience and Grace-filled Power, as you find a way of bringing true transformation to individual lives and the societal structures in which we live. You are faithful even when our faithful living falls well short of the life of Jesus. We are ever mindful of the unwavering commitment of so many who did not lose sight of your grace-filled purpose, the true saints of the church. Amen.