Christianity Sucks

“I’m sick of my church feeling like a community center.”

Believe it or not, a member of the local church we work with made this comment.

What is the church? I have struggled with this question for several years. While we’re at it, what is a Christian? I have no idea. Well… let me rephrase this; I know what our church culture says a “Good” Christian is, I just don’t agree with it.

Brennan Manning says in his famous book, The Ragamuffin Gospel (highly recommended), “A saint is not someone who is good but who experiences the goodness of God.”

So…I am perplexed with two very important questions: What is the church? What is a Christian?

To the man who is sick of his church feeling like a community center…GREAT!! Your church is being the church!!

I took a two-hour walk around the city a few nights ago and noticed something that astonished me. Corner after corner were 24-hour “adult” stores promoting their products of Adult Videos, Adult Magazines, and other really Adult stuff that I don’t know about.

As I walked by the guy looking at porn on the street I was dumbfounded, not because he was looking at porn but because as a society, it’s easier to find acceptance and love (obviously a distorted and perverted view of love/lust) elsewhere than for one to find it in a church. The sad thing is I’m just as guilty as any in allowing the church to be so extraneous.

What if? This may sound crazy, but what if the church was open 24 hours. Ok, ok, I know it seems like a stretch and maybe a little radical, but God, give us some radicals. Please!! This world is dying for people to believe in something; Even more so, people that not only believe but act upon that belief with passion and vigor.

I am shocked at the responses I have gotten from this blog. Some of ya’ll think I am doing some crazy ministry that you yourself couldn’t do. That’s a bunch of shit. Believe in something and act on it!!

I do have a confession…I lied.

I told some of you that I was getting paid for this (mom don’t be mad). Unfortunately INTRSCT is on the brink of having no money. I committed to coming with the understanding I wouldn’t be paid a dime for this. Crazy? Maybe. Do I care what you think? Maybe. But it won’t stop me from doing what I believe in.

I tell you this for one reason and ONE reason only.

Find what you believe in and do it!! If it scares you then it’s probably worth doing…I’m scared. Be smart, but be radical at the same time. I think we let logic guide us more than passion.

So what is a Christian? The obvious answer is someone who accepts Jesus in his heart; yet, man made up this entire concept. What does that mean anyway? I accepted Christ in my heart like 50 times. So what’s the deal?

I don’t mean to lead you down a dead end path with no answer; however, Christianity has become as meaningless and useless in our society as the word peace. You call yourself a Christian…yeah I know a lot of those. Go on Myspace or Facebook (lame that I have both) and you’ll see many claiming the title, but possessing few characteristics of a so-called “Christian.“

Ok Ted…what’s your point.

I see a movement of people, maybe who were once Christians, becoming Christ Followers. What’s the difference? Anybody can be a Christian, sit in your pew, take notes on a sermon, shake hands of the people around you, even attend a weekly Bible study, and yet, you still miss the entire teaching of Christ: love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and peace. But not everyone can simply claim to be a Christ Follower.

Being a Christ Follower calls you to act upon the very things Jesus said. Maybe Christians started off that way, but we have all watered it down. So here I am. I’m calling all Christi followers to live radically for the things you believe in.

You don’t know what you believe in? Then I ask, “What makes you feel alive?” I bet the answer to that question has something to do with it. In John 10:10 we are told that Jesus came to give us a more abundant life. Well, I went for a long time not feeling so “abundant” in my life. I don’t know the secret answer to your life or what will make you feel alive, but search for it. If it leads you to California, back to Indiana, and finally Chicago. Do it. I will support you. But never settle.

I’ve felt crazy the past several months. I mean come on; I went from gated communities to gated windows. Talk about two extremes. But for me personally, I can’t wait to wake up every morning, where before I didn’t ever want to wake up again. It’s strange what can happen when you believe in something, when you believe that maybe one kid will walk out of that neighborhood.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope as you carry forth on your journey with Christ that you never quit seeking things that you believe in. Remember, don’t get caught up in the entire picture of what your life will look like. Our culture constantly pushes us to do so. Take it a step at a time. I have no idea where my life will go, but today I am here and that’s all I need know.