Threshold ministries

You may be wondering, well, what does that say about Samuel?  If we know the story and we know our Bible, we know what Samuel becomes and what he does, etc. etc.  And its easy to let ourselves settle in on that conclusion.  What I am wondering is what does this say about those of us that call ourselves Christians, Believers, the Saints?

You only have to turn on the news to see how our communities, our nation, our world is desperate to find answers for so many issues that we face today.  The economy:  housing market, unemployment, taxes.  Healthcare:  insurance, swine flu, government control.  Foreign Policy:  our soldiers in wars, foreign threats, leadership.

Our everyday lives now are corrupt with distractions.  Any number of the issues I mentioned effect every one of us in some way these day, if not directly.  I know I and my family are.  And I admit I’ve been distracted.  It’s hard not to be.  And as I try to go week in and week out figuring out how someone like me can have an impact on my family and my community in times like these, I can’t help but ask myself this very question:  what is the “church” doing to address these issues?

What I do see is a lot of the same old same old.   A lot of great programs and events.  And I mean that . . . there are some great things going on out there.  I dare say though we possibly approach the use of these programs with the goal of bringing people into the church.  Yeah, I said it.  In my experience, we may see a few show up from attending an event like that.  More often than not, I would guess that some other factors had a play in it.  So, should we not do programs and events?  No, I’m not saying that.  I would suggest that we check our motives though.  We invest so much money and resources, time and people, to pull off any given event or program with the simple justification that it will bring people into the church.  Now that may have worked in times past . . . for a season.  Just like . . . for a season . . . there was a time when a majority of people could be found in churches . . . every week.  Times have changed.  People are different.  The unchurched . . . are different.  Different from what they used to be.

It used to be that the “church” used language that suggested that the unchurched were synonymous with the “sinner”.  And unfortunately, there are probably still places that use that kind of language.  I again dare to say that today’s unchurched associate our “programs” with religion (or at least an attempt to indoctrinate religion).  That’s why many probably stay away from the church.  I believe the statistics that say 85% or more (whatever the stat is) of the people of our nation believe in God.  I think most of us take that information for granted and make the assumption that if they are unchurched then they must not really believe in God, or not the real God.  And I’m sure that is true in a lot of cases.  But nowadays, I’m not so convinced that there aren’t more unchurched people out there that have touched the hem of His garment but don’t see the institution of the church as valid or having anything to offer.  You can argue that with me if you want, but instead of hiding behind our “Jesus beards” I would say the next move belongs to the church. What are we going to do with it?

So, I look at where I am.  I look at what I’ve been through . . . what has distracted me.  And then I look to who the distractions took me from: the One who wasn’t created by human hands nor is He dependent on any mortal man.  He is not a god in need of anything we can give (though we should give Him it all anyways) according to His plan and that's just the way it is.  He is God alone from before time began sitting on His throne.  And right now in the good times and bad He’s still on His throne because He is God alone.  He is the only God whose power none can contend.  He’s the only God whose name and praise will never end.  He’s unchangeable.  He’s unshakable.  He’s unstoppable.  That’s who He is.

It is He that should be distracting me.  His glory.  His power.  His ways.  I believe that when I am in that place where my God is my only distraction and when I listen to His whisper, I will be an effective vessel for the Kingdom.  And through that will I be able to reach the unchurched, not with religion, but with an authentic faith through relationships and community.  And that’s the way it is.