Personal or Global ??

The question is often posed most by young kids: "How can God love me and have the whole world in his hands?"

This question is not always asked by churches and people today, but it seems it had to have been asked because many people, preachers and congregations seem to have made up their minds on the issue and decided that God either loves them a lot, or His love has/is redeeming the world - rarely both.

If one but takes a survey of many different churches and preaching approaches in today's culture - I think two major trends emerge.

1: Jesus is my personal savior - he came to die for my sins and had I been the only sinner, he would have come anyway.

2: Our call as Christians is to save the world, plant and save trees, free slaves, fight the system and find "community."

Now, both of these approaches are right, biblical, and not mutually exclusive (I sure hope). But, I think it is rare to find a faith community that holds both common ways in a healthy tension. Often many older and established evangelical congregations seem to lean toward option 1 - personal savior and God, while many new "emergent" churches seem to lean toward approach number 2.

From discussions with folks who have been in ministry for much longer than I, it seems that the more "conservative" and personal savior approach seems to stem from a reaction by many churches (and denominations) in the 1950s/60s to the "Social Gospel" movement. They, in an attempt to hold dear and "conserve" the truth of their doctrine and the Gospel - swung the pendulum in one distinct direction...maybe further than they even wanted.

So, is the recent trend in churches toward social action just another sort of reaction to a reaction?

I don't necessarily think so.

One must take into account the woundedness of our current generation of young people and emerging leaders. Many of these wounds have been inflicted (intentionally or not) by "the church," or people connected with a Christian body. For some of us, one has only mention the words "Focus on the Family" to bring a twinge to many of our insides and almost a sick feeling. Had Dobson continued to focus only on the family and stayed out of the political realm and thus, a condemning realm - I think we could utter that organizations title with good conscience. But, that is not the case and for many people that approach faith a bit differently from the good doctor, it may seem a bit more difficult to associate with folks who call themselves 'Christians."

We also must take into account the fears and suspicions of the older generation of Christians and church leaders. The important questions need to change from things like "Is Rob Bell a heretic?" to how can I love and connect with this new generation of folks who also love Jesus. Is our faith in Christ so small that we don't believe the Truth will rise to the surface when Christ is studied and pursued in the given conversation?? Shall they seek and not find? Change is a hard thing, and in many contexts, takes time and understanding.

Regardless of where you are coming from on any of this - we must let Christ be the center and heart of what we do. Christ has a heart for the poor, marginalized and the oppressed. Yet, (though not trendy) also weeps for the wealthy to realize him as lord. Jesus came to pay for all of our sins and reconcile us all to him for eternity - He yearns for personal relationship. In the same way (Col. 1:15-19) He has, and is redeeming all things - and all creation is thus longing for his return! Our personal and abiding relationship with Christ is the context through which we see and know how we are to be carrying out the mission of Jesus in our world.

Our answers and future unity as a church are found in the words and life of Jesus. Understanding his culture, his traditions and heart we see that he is full of Grace and also Truth - limitless mercy and a persistent desire to be in relationship with everyone. He is about working within ones given context and culture and yet about standing up to and abolishing systems and ways of life that (although common, huge and culturally entrenched) keep his beloved people from him.

We don't have to choose pipe organs, tradition and "evangelism," over trees, free-trade coffee and Bono - but realize there is a more holistic approach to our faith journey. We're all on a journey of conversion, it doesn't have to be one way or the other!

For the fullness and image of God is in Christ and we are to let His joy be in us - for the God of the universe has called us to be a part of his pulling of heaven and earth back together, mending broken lives and walking daily with Christ - let this then be our focus no matter the age, worship approach or style of dress.