NaBloWriMo Day 5 – THE POWER OF CHRIST

Religious practice. One of those things that is most likely to get two people at each other’s throats the fastest. The other one is politics and recently I’ve resisted even typing that word for fear of Glenn Beck jumping through the wall and doing a running tackle followed by a brainwashing.

Seriously Mr. Beck. Stay outta my house. You freaky.

Truth be told, I think Glenn has made some seriously good points on a few things. I’m going to stop typing about politics and switch back to Jesus. Jesus loves everyone. Even if I can’t.

I’ve caught myself saying that more often these days. There are certain days when people (a general statement so as to not label, target and otherwise be sued) just drive me crazy. Loving them falls so far down the list of priorities it bounces a few times before I kick it out the front door. I know as a Christian I’m supposed to love everyone, turn the other cheek and keep that plank from settling too deep in my eye but it is so gal-darned hard!

I suppose that’s the whole plan. Being a Christian isn’t easy and anyone who tells you otherwise is either a 1) Liar or 2) someone who wants your money. Christianity requires you to quite literally put scaffolding around your whole body from day one until the last day when you pass from this world. It is a constant work in progress under construction. It’s like a never ending construction site. You’ll disagree with the architect, and the plumber might drive you nuts and let’s not even talk about the heating guy.

That’s the beauty of it. You’re never perfect and you’re always working towards getting better one small wall at a time.

A couple of thoughts that will probably get me in trouble.

1. Megachurch is the worst idea since Joel Osteen.  That probably cut a little deep, but I’m pretty sure I’m right.  At a speaking event a few months back I called megachurchs “starships of insanity” and as much as I regret using that term I think it sticks.  They’re big, they’re bulky and they’re full of people.  They’re like the Deathstar (this is meant in jest…don’t burn me at the stakes people) because they move slowly.  Rebels destroyed two deathstars because they were big, unwieldy and arrogant.  A church should never be that big.  The best part of this?  I volunteer in a megachurch.  Eye of the needle, I got it.
2. Christianity is a personal relationship with Christ.  That’s it.
3. Christianity should never have been a religion.  It’s a relationship.  It’s personal.
4. Small churches are ideal for this as they encourage small groups and accountability.  People know each other, help each other and focus on those in need.
5. Don’t stay in your church.  It’s a freakin’ building.  Get out in your community.  Offices are for losers.
6. I’ll make a bold statement.  Church’s shouldn’t have offices in a office building.  They should have offices in their respective homes.  Technology these days allows for  literally thousands of manners of communication both with staff and congregation.
7. Divisions are for losers.  Denominations are for losers.  Can you imagine if The Church in Denver or any major metro city started unconditionally networking intentionally with nearly every church in the city?  Can you imagine what that would look like?  I can.

So what do you think?  Am I crazy?  Should I head to Salem to for some old fashioned burning at the stake?  Or am I right on a few things?  You know what the comments are for…USE ‘EM!