Recently my good friend Stephen McAlpine wrote a very good post on the surprise it may be to some churches when people they don’t expect turn up. Here
His basic premise is that there is a growing phenomenon where young adults, including a high percentage of young men, are coming to church. They are socially conservative and seeking Jesus. Stephens shrewd comment is that as many churches posture themselves to be inclusive, particularly around matters of sexuality, they may miss this moment. Because these young men are actually seeking a return to more orthodox values. This is something I have seen first hand and talk about with other Pastors in similar situations. Stephens point is valid.
My musings revolve around what we do with these folk when they come. Because none of us are fully formed or perfect Christians. Socially conservative young men of the type Stephen is talking about are no exception. Gods work begins and continues in us until we get to meet Him and then become like Him.
Conservative young men may need to realise that our nation won’t save us, nor will a system of government and certainly not a leader lacking in grace, morality, generosity and forgiveness. They may need to hear the words of Jesus, our kingdom is not of this world. Perhaps some teaching on the refugee status of Jesus might help. On his rebellion against the systems of His day. HIs advocating for women, for children, for the oppressed, even for the poor. He welcomed the refugee, the sinner, the outcast. He forgave and was mostly angry at the greedy, self seeking and self righteous.
The Radical Middle
The most radical place to be is in the middle. I believe Jesus calls us to be holy, but I also believe He calls everyone. And no one deserves to be called. He loves us, but He loves us too much to leave us where we are. I love you, I accept you. But I don’t even accept my own sin, and I can’t say your sin is okay either.
Jesus did pay his taxes, he grabbed a coin from the fishes mouth and recognised the face on it. He called us to holiness as well. Go and sin nor more…ringing in someones ears. He wouldn’t pick up the stone, even though He could have, and the law said she deserved it. He didn’t even throw a stone at the man, who by the way was no where to be seen.
I want to welcome everyone and call them to a better and higher way of living, no matter where they come from or who they have been sleeping with. Recently an older guy came and asked me, would I be accepted at your church after a failed marriage. It is a question people ask themselves when a marriage fails. Because there is shame and guilt. Guilt we can seek forgiveness for, shame is harder. Shame comes from a dark place, not a godly place. It is when someone does not realise that we are all made in the image of God. Shame comes when we don’t realise we are God’s creation, created for good works.
Yes, we may be messed up and messy, sinful and living in sin. But that is no barrier to the good news. But the good news is the beginning, not the end.
The Radical Middle is when the church loves you and welcomes you to a place of amazing grace, but also wants the Holy Spirit to start work on whatever it is that is needed.
