"I still think every pastor should send people out from his or her own church to anonymously visit other churches. The pastors—and the visitors—would certainly learn a lot, both about what works and about what doesn’t work.
I also think that every Christian should be required to bring one cynic/atheist/unbeliever to church at least once a year (even if it means spending twenty-five dollars once in a while like I did). Doing so would allow Christians to see their churches through the eyes of outsiders.
Each church could keep a journal of these visits and post them for all to see on a public blog. In a church of seventy-five members, that would mean seventy-five cynics would be exposed to that church’s culture every year and share their thoughts. This could lead to some significant improvements in how that congregation does church. I can’t think of one reason not to do that—can you?" JH
As much as I enjoyed the book and the adventure these two went on... my answer to Jim's question is a resounding "YES". I can think of a few reasons why what they did isn't advised for every church congregation, and definitely not necessary, but the big reason I have is this.
I DON'T BELIEVE CHURCH IS FOR THE OUTSIDER.
There... I said it. And it is a big stereotype, but I will explain myself. All I really have to go on is my own personal experience with multiple church cultures, church programs, church denominations and church attendees. Churches are clubs... gathering places for people who want to believe alike, practice the same rituals, preach the same message, support the same doctrines and encourage their families to do and believe the same. And let me emphasize that my experience, although somewhat extensive and yet still limited in the grand scheme of things, is inspiring this post. Churches are not designed to be diverse. Churches are designed at their core to be exclusive and focused. That is why there are so many of them and so many different kinds.
I was introduced to church differences early in my childhood, but I was also introduced to the club mentality and survival mechanisms within that culture. To this day, I still don't understand "church" as a place where differences can be celebrated, when for most of my experience within the walls, differences were shunned and shamed. The only place I found myself free to celebrate differences was as an "outsider".
I still enjoyed Jim and Casper's adventures and this time when I read the book, I jumped around in the chapters and some chapters I read twice. Grant it, most of the places that Jim and Casper went to were the big famous megachurches... Lakewood, Saddleback, Willow Creek, Mars Hill... so for me it was an unbiased view into those organizations. Matt Casper didn't hold any punches or observations back and that was refreshing. He also was honest when he found something that impressed him. That too was refreshing.
I spent twenty-five years as a pastor feeling like a failure. JH
I understand Jim's mindset... at least the one portrayed in the book. This book was published in 2007 and maybe by now, Jim's perspective has evolved a little more... and much due to his friendship with Matt Casper. But going on his thoughts in this book, I can still understand his frustration. Christianity's identity is wrapped up in the need to convert the world. I don't know any other religion so passionate or focused on changing people's minds and beliefs. It's ironic... I never got that vibe from Jesus and the stories I read about him. But maybe that is just my interpretation.
It seems that Jim's purpose in having Matt go along with him, is to open up the eyes of the churches as to the things they could do better to attract "outsiders" into their midst, like that is the main reason they exist. But did it really make an impression in places like Lakewood and Saddleback? I doubt it.
In my mind, humanity is divided into two groups: (1) people who follow Jesus, and (2) everybody else. It doesn’t matter to me whether you call yourself a Christian, a Buddhist, a humanist, an agnostic, or an atheist. If you aren’t following Jesus, you’re in group two. JH
So what is group one and what is group two and what does it have to do with fixing the churches? Was that the purpose of the whole venture... to point out the flaws and hope that "outsiders" will want to go to church, if it isn't even on their radar?
This book was entertaining for me... both times. But my mindset has had a massive shift since 2007. I would like to imagine that there are not two groups... but one big group... called Humanity. That would be my hope that one day, we don't have to divide humanity into any groups and we don't have to figure out how to fix our clubs to welcome in people who don't "play our game".
There are clubs in pretty much every avenue of life... sports, entertainment, social, academic... the list goes on. I can't see too many chess club members out trying to get converts from the sewing clubs or hockey teams drafting members from baseball teams. This world has clubs and teams centred around a common interest. That is how we have been functioning as a race of people for as long as we have existed. That is how we do things. The hockey players don't have to look down at the baseball players, just because they pay a different sport, they can appreciate the diversity and variety having more than one game or team is. So why not let church function the same way?
I think what I have appreciated about the story of Jim and Casper... from both books is the openness they both had to learn from each other. They were honest about their journeys and that is probably why they stayed friends. I think now it would get old real quick if the only foundation to a relationship was that I would conform to the person who I was having a relationship with. I know that person... it is me. I am good at conforming to have relationship. But now... it is not as inviting for me. I may still do it to a degree, but when I do, I don't like myself. Is that the life people want for me... to turn myself into them and not like myself. Sounds very cruel.
I also understand not wanting to be a mark for someone's evangelical agenda. That would get old real quick too. I hope I and others matter more and have more value than just being a convert target because someone is worried about my eternal destination.
"Certainty is boring. Certainty is closed off. Certainty is against new information. Certainty is a kind of orthodoxy, really, and it was those kinds of “certainty” moments—when I would hear a pastor or others in a church declare themselves absolutely certain of heaven, God’s existence, truth—that I would get a little riled. Because being absolutely certain about something you cannot prove is simply dogma, and dogmatism is the death of ideas. And I like ideas." MC
I am still a work in progress. I am still fighting feelings of inadequacy. I feel like I will never fit in like I thought I once did. Sometimes I am scared of losing everyone in my life. That's right. Sometimes my confidence is at an all time zero. I wish I could fix that... like I said... a work in progress. Is it up to me to believe I'm okay and that will be enough. Can I let go of the expectations of others and more importantly, my perceptions of others. I'm not exposed to the people Matt Casper was during his church tours. No one in a long time has told me I'm going to hell. Maybe my people don't care. Maybe who I am is enough for them.
When I first told Casper about the book, he was immediately onboard but with one condition: “I can do this, but I need you to be as open-minded with me as you need me to be with you, Jim.”
“What do you mean?” I asked Casper.
“I’m currently an atheist, Jim. I say currently because I am open to the possibility that I may learn something that will change my point of view. Jim, can you say ‘I am currently a Christian’ and be as open-minded as me?”
I nodded. Yes. Let’s write a book. JH
I have a dream... I wish I could write a book with someone. I wish I could have a conversation with someone... like Jim and Casper... or the Campolos or the Raybons. It's a dream. Maybe a far-off dream... but a dream none the less.
I will say thank you to Jim Henderson and Matt Casper...even though I don't know how to contact them to send them this post. Your journey of relationship amazes me much more than your church adventures do. The adventures were interesting, but I am amazed and inspired by your friendship.
People need to hear the stories of everyday Christians helping others.
People need to see us put into action what we say we believe.
People need to be able to tell us what they really think of us and not worry about a fire-and-brimstone retort.
If we do such things, maybe we’d start to see a church more like the one Jesus told us about, a church that even an atheist might be tempted to be a part of. JH
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