So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore
16 04 2008
Long time no blog.
I’ve been reading this book by the same title as the post. It is by Jake Colsen and is a fiction book about a pastor who encounters a guy who helps him see the dangers and ways religious systems rob people of relationship with God. At least that is how I sum it up. Those of you who have read it chime in. Donna recommended it and Kim was insistant that I read it. So I am almost finished and wanted to post this quote. It isn’t the best quote of the book but one I thought might help some people. It comes in a discussion about a house church, Marvin is a guy in the house church and John is one of the main two characters.
After a few moments Marvin let out a frustrated sigh. “I don’t know, John. I always thought the institution I left wasn’t working because it had the wrong principles. I thought we were getting the right ones in place so we could finally experience real church life.” Murmurs of agreement buzzed around the table. “But you don’t see it that way?”
“No, I don’t. If it helps, I think you’re finding better principles–onesthat reflect more accurately the life of the early believers. But keep in mind that following priciples didn’t produce their life together. We can observe what happened as they followed Jesus, but copying that won’t produce the same reality.
“Jesus didn’t leave us with a system; he left us with his Spirit–a guide instead of a map. Principles alone will not satisfy your hunger. That’s why systems always promise a future revival that never comes. They cannot produce community because they are designed to keep peoeple apart.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because they keep the focus on services or rituals, principles turn most people into spectators. By holding up standards and motivating people to conform to them they only encourage people to pretend to be what they are not, or to act like they know more than they really do. Questions and doubts are discouraged and people can’t deal with the things they are hiding. Thus they only let people see the shadow they want them to see, not who they really are. Feeling isolated, they only become more focused on their own needs and what others aren’t doing to meet them. They fight over control of the institution, however large or small, so that they can make others do what they think is best. It is a story that has been repeated for a couple of thousand years.”
Following a pattern or copying whether it is 2000 years ago that you copy or if it is the group whose conference you went to just doesn’t produce the same reality. I love that line about he gave his Spirit instead of a map. And I know the part about people pretending is so true. So whether you are in a big church, little church, house church, fluid church, coffeehouse church or whatever, Here’s to everyone, following the Spirit’s leading and to seeking God’s guidance on every decision.
ahhh…I’m glad you finally read it. It is chock full of those types of quotes. and the idea of how principals are designed to keep people apart. I was discussing this with my brother today. Thanks for this reminder.
So, you see why it had me stirred up?
Sounds very interesting. I’ll have to check it out — thanks for the heads up!
i liked your conclusion, tom. i agreed with what you said. i, too, liked the comment about what Jesus left us. however, i do find myself looking at what we do in our services and asking, “would this have been done 2000 years ago?” i also sometimes wonder if the resistance to anything that is done during services that is different than what has been done in the last 100 years is given the same question, but with a twist, “would this have been done 100 years ago?”
we are creatures of habit, and if something is done that is out of our comfort zone, we complain. our shepherds at port city want to not offend members of our congregation by going “too far, too fast,” but in my opinion, not offending others offends me. i have asked myself many times, “why do you want to do this, ken?” and my answer is usually something like this, “well, there’s against it in the bible.”
i wish we could all see in what “spirit” we do things, and not focus on action, and whether there is a precedent.
great post, tom!
Hey, Tommy -
I’ve been checking on you every day and have been missing you. Glad you’re back here!
This is a really good post and I love the quote.
Thanks!
Cheers & Blessings to you all today!
Dee
Thanks for letting us know about the book.
I am going to order mine today.
We don’t have a book store in town.
The closest is San Antonio.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Several months ago my wife and I visited friends in a Texas city and went to church with them on Sunday a.m. before driving back home. When we got on the highway, my wife asked, “What did you think of the church?” My reply was, “If I lived in xxxxx I would drive 100 miles to attend someplace where they are not just going through the motions”.
What many call worship is not and what many would say is not worship is. Jesus said to the woman at the well in part “worship in Spirit and in truth..”. When it comes to what happens on Sunday morning I fear we are way heavy on “truth” and very light on “Spirit”.
His peace,
Royce Ogle
I hope you have a wonderful earth day!
I want to read this book, too. You always beat me to the good ones!! But your reviews are so good, maybe I don’t need to read them after all.
I finally read The Shack. Although it affected me deeply, I didn’t cry. I’m just tough like that, you know?
I love your blog.
It is definately one of my favorites.
I was wondering if you and your readers could take a few moments of your time and stop by my blog and leave a prayer for a family who is hurting beyond imagination. I know God says he won’t give us anything we can’t bare or handle. It would make a difference in the lives of an entire family. So please….take a few minutes of your time and make a difference.
God bless you brother this week and may all of God’s richest blessings fall on you, your family, your minister and every aspect of your life.
In HIm,
Kinney Mabry