Organic Matter

Wow, I have been so used to writing every day that it feels like it has been forever since I have written anything. It has been a busy few days for us, especially Sunday. We kicked off a new ministry at our church on Sunday. It is called "realife." It is a ministry to reach out to the 18-40 age group in our congregation. I am almost hesitant to write this post as I know that there are readers who are affiliated with my church. But, I did not start this blog to pander to anyone. I started it because I felt God was telling me that I should do so, and as this is supposed to be a Father-directed venture, I will continue writing as Father directs.

Let me say that I am still undecided as to how God wants me involved in this venture - "realife." On the one hand I know that my generation is one who is slipping through the cracks of traditional congregational churches everywhere. On the other hand, I'm not sure that I should necessarily be concerned about this. I know, I know. I just heard a lot of jaws hit the keyboards out there. I am in no way saying that I have no concern for those who are not serving my Father. My heart breaks to think of those that I have seen walk away from Him (not from a congregational setting - from Him). However, I have been a leader and a follower in various congregations. What I have seen over and over is that someone sees a lack of a certain type of person in a congregation, and they decide that there needs to be a new program to "reach out" to that demographic.

Now, I'm probably going to get a lot of angry comments and e-mails about this post, but I simply have to say what I believe my Father is speaking to me. A program, a meeting, another night of the week is not the answer. We wear people out with our programs and functions. Do you know who ends up coming to those things after a while? The same group of people that come to every other "ministry" of the church. My question is this: Are we really meeting needs and developing relationships between ourselves and others and God by doing all this? Or are we just creating another service for people to attend?

The "church" philosophy has become - "get 'em in the doors and God'll minister to 'em." You know what - that's not how God designed it. In the early church we see Jesus sending the disciples out to minister to others. He didn't say "build a big ginormous really tricked out building, invite them to come to a special function and they shall be saved." He commissions us to reach out to others. Congregations have developed this "convenience store" attitude. They can drive in and pick up whatever kind of "ministry" they need. Then they drive home with not much to show for it. Just think about it - there's children's church, youth group, young adults ministry, Sunday school, ladies meetings, men's ministries, singles groups, etc, etc, ad nauseum.

What I hear over and over from people is the thing they really desire is not another ministry or another opportunity to go to a building. Their hearts' desire is for relationship. I can tell you after enough years in traditional church (whatever form it may take) that relationships are not built by sitting in services. We have to start being intentional in our relationships. We make time for the things and people who are important to us. So if we feel like we are not connected to anyone in our congregation, we need to take it upon ourselves to build the types of relationships that will help sustain our walk with God.

When we were kids, we just walked up to another kid and said, "hey, do you want to be my friend?" You know what I've found, that still works most of the time. Oh, you're still going to have the people that will look at you funny and walk away. Far more often you'll find that the person you are reaching out to is reaching right back. We are relational beings. Father created us to be that way. That means that just sitting next to someone in a "service" is not going to satisfy our need for spiritual relationship.

This one thing I have learned from my own experience: you cannot fabricate something genuine. It drives me completely bananas to hear someone say that they are reading this great book about how so-and-so grew their congregation to 10 bazillion people, and we're going to do the same thing so that will happen for us. People, people, people - God just does not work that way. Just because having a church service in a swimming pool worked for Church ABC does not mean that Church XYZ in Antarctica should try it. Have we ever thought that God might give us creativity and direction for our situation if we let Him?

God will give us a living, organic way to minister to those around us if we will avail ourselves of it. Let's be purposeful in our relationships with others and our relationship with God. Quit depending on a "service" to fix what ails you. God is much more personal than that. Congregational settings can be wonderful, but they cannot meet all needs. Sometimes, they aren't the answer at all. I feel that way more every day. I love God more, and somehow, I love "services" less.

I crave something real and sincere in this day and age of special effects, lies and debauchery. A living thing, an organic being is not birthed from something unliving - inorganic, if you will. When will we wake up and realize that simply offering another time for people to be at church is not the answer? When will we instead, get into people's lives, build relationships with other Jesus-lovers for the purpose of taking this journey together?

In any case, this is my goal. Jeremiah 29:13 (in my top 5 fav scriptures) says, "You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart." Regardless of where God sends me - in or out of a congregational setting - I love my Father and will serve Him unconditionally.

This is my final question to you today: Will you be my friend? Won't you join me in this journey?