It's the easiest target in the world, the church is. It always has been. John Buchanan, former pastor at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, writes:
"Among institutions, none has higher aspirations or a more ambitious mission statement, and none, consequently, misses the mark by a wider margin than the church."
I hear the frustration regularly: criticism that the church stays too quiet on social issues or speaks out too loudly, that we focus too much on new people or not enough, that we spend too much money on mission or not enough. Nearly everyone has an opinion about exactly what the church should be about these days. One author calls it a "Lover's quarrel," and I think I know what he means.
Our scripture passage this week is a bit abstruse, but it offers a compelling vision for this thing called the Christian church. As you prepare to read it, let me offer a spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with all those things we typically associate with church -- budgets, sanctuaries and how we're going to pay to fix the roof. Instead, it has a lot to do with a way of life, the practices in which we engage and the commitments we make.
We'll also be privileged to dedicate backpacks for our own children as well as children in Avery County and at Highland Renaissance Academy. It will be a good day.
Join us, and bring a friend.
