Social media is littered with armchair advocates and antagonists. We are anchored in our knowledge and world view, but are influenced by news (real and fake), our ignorance, our allegiance, etc. We sit and survey and wait for something to instigate a reaction. We chime in with our own views accordingly (as I am doing here). The truth is that there is a lot of saying and not a lot of doing. And the “doing” can be parsed and sporadic. Or reactionary, or convenient. The same can be said of our churches.
The church* pew has become a bit of a stadium seat at a spectator sport. Or better yet, a shopping cart for us to put items into for our family’s consumption. We sit in our seats, listen to music, lift our hands (maybe), say a prayer, and hear a three-step sermon on how to be a better Christian. Then we go about our week. Taking the niceness we heard and perhaps were challenged by, and filling our carts with things about us.
And then there are the church leaders. Carrying the massive expectations put upon them to deliver for each of us every week. If they are off a bit, we whisper it to our pew neighbor. We consume and debate from our seats. Perhaps we are moved to reach out a hand to those in need. Maybe once or twice. Thank you, church leaders, for the nudge.
It says in the Bible that Jesus tells a story about a father with two sons and a vineyard “…he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” He and his disciples agreed that it was the first son. Even though his expression wasn’t right, his heart and activity were. He even says that tax collectors and prostitutes will be in heaven instead of other religious sorts.
What do our activities say about our faith? What story does it tell others? Are we consuming our faith? Are we solely focused on our family? Are we going to church or being the church?
I’m asking myself this as I type…
*When I am discussing “church” or “faith” in this post, I am speaking generally from my past experience at an Episcopal church in the northeast, my current experience in metro-Atlanta white church pews, from a decent amount of insight and research on the Christian faith, as well as much healthy debate and conversations with people of various faith backgrounds and influences. To be clear, there are many wonderful people, churches, and organizations who are living out their faith in remarkable ways—with open doors and minds, listening ears, and extended hands.