I am not addressing the marriage question, (and clearly it needs to be) but how the issues of sexuality and marriage continue to impact our leverage with unChristians or “nones” as they are labeled from time to time.
Obviously, we are heading into another season of heated debate over a very challenging issue, embroiling national and state politics as well as the church (General Convention this summer).
As I am preparing my sermon today, I keep wondering how to leverage our influence in drawing people, especially people from 16 – 29 years old. The data is clear: religious affiliation is plummeting across the breadth of Christian denominations.
Ground-breaking research presented in the best-selling book, UnChristian, (and others) reveals that 16-29 year olds perceive Christianity to be anti-homosexual, judgmental, hypocritical, too political, sheltered and proselytizing. We may not like that perception, but it cannot be denied we have a “branding” issue in our culture today!
These and other books summarize their perceptions and moves the conversation forward by providing key insight into how Christians can change these perceptions when we become more like Jesus.
If we would simply do what Jesus asked us to do, instead of arguing over what Jesus said, the world would change. What did he actually ask us to do?
“This is my commandment that you love one another.” And earlier in John 13 he said, “…by this ALL will know you are my followers, by the love you have for one another.” THAT’S OUR BRAND!
What is our greatest leverage? Right doctrine and beliefs? Jesus did not say that. He said that how we treat one another – our love for one another would be the greatest evidence that we are his followers.
When the church leverages anything other than Christlike love, we lose our leverage. Yes truth matters. Yes knowledge of the truth brings wisdom. Yet what was the Lord’s greatest commandment to us? Love one another as I have loved you.
Perhaps we must draw people in by the reality of seeking their good and well being, by magnetic Christlike love. Addressing the challenging social issues of the day is part of our witness. Yet, I believe there is a far greater priority given by our Lord.
Did not the first disciples move the world by the quality of their love? That’s the leverage that changed the world. Not just proclamation, but transformation, transformed lives and communities. It’s so attractive and almost irresistible. And it seems to me, we have not done such a great job overall when it comes to obeying and fulfilling this commandment. But what if we did?
By this leverage, the world will know that we are his disciples. I want to stay and major on that message.
Just some random thoughts by a 59 year old baby boomer,
Rob+
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I was introduced to Centering Prayer in the early 1980′s and although I have come and gone from my practice, I always come home to this old friend. I do so because quite simply it has become as necessary for me as oxygen. I am finding the longer I live the more I cannot be without out this daily time of surrender and consent to the mystery of God’s presence and love.
