A Re-introduction of The Church

Growing up my mom would tell me to “be careful about the company you keep because you’ll become known by their actions”.  Like most adolescents I rolled my eyes and hung out with whomever I wanted. I found out the hard way that she was right.

We truly do become known by those we associate with.

What do we do when the people giving us a bad name are The Church?  Many have disassociated with The Church and I’ve got to be honest, I don’t blame them at all.  I’ve thought about walking away many times.  Not from God but from organization of The Church.  I wanted to make up a new name for Christ followers so no one would know that I was associated with the same people who started the crusades or judged them when they were growing up.  I struggled with this for years.

Truly disliking the organization of The Church and  understanding it as the Bride (John 3:29) I found difficult to reconcile.  I decided that rather than shake my fist outside the doors of The Church, I would work to become a part of the solution and reintroduce The Church to culture.

Here are some people who’ve taken the lead and that I’ve learned from:

Donald Miller recalled in Blue Like Jazz how he and some friends set up a confessional for a local college, not for the students to confess their sins to a priest, but to confess to the students the sins of The Church throughout history.

Derek Webb uses his music to inspire The Church to become The Bride we were intended to be.  He challenges us to look past our comfort and recognize the purpose of The Church.
Read past posts about Derek Webb HERE.

Shane Claiborne recently took a huge step in this reintroduction process in an article he wrote for Esquire Magazine.  I could tell you all about it but I really think you need to read it for yourself. Click HERE to give it a look.

We will be known by those we associate with.

What are you doing to reintroduce The Church to your culture?