3/16/2011

The Church: Christ's Body "Restoration"

In my previous posts regarding the church I asked a lot of questions about what the church is and should be to the world around us.  My intention was not to state that the church is doing a poor job, but to highlight our restorative partnership with God.

As a church leader I don't want to be seen as someone who talks negatively about the institution that I work in or is just angry or frustrated in the way church is being done.  Gabe Lyons said his in his book, The Next Christians, "religious leaders were often better at cursing the darkness than lighting a candle.  They become known for what they were against instead of suggesting alternatives that represent what they were for." (p. 169)

In context Lyons is talking about Christians reacting unconstructively to world culture, but I think this quote can also apply to church leaders or believers that talk pessimistically about the church.  Take for instance the current Rob Bell fiasco, that has created much out cry due to his seemingly universalism stance in his new book Love Wins.  Without saying anything more on this I simply want to use this as an example that we (Christians/Church Leaders) are often quick to curse the darkness that surrounds us, but very seldom do anything about it in a constructive restoring way.

In my ministry I want to be known more for things that I am for, instead of the things that I am against.  Everyday we all can partner in God's greater story by merely lighting a candle or two of restoration.  The small light generated by a candle can push back more darkness than you think, or even be the beginnings of a greater light.