I had a fascinating conversation with our Church Board members last night at dinner about the range of Christians we encounter in the church world. As I reflected on this later, I discerned 5 kinds of church folk:
* Many wonderful church folks have been trained for decades that good Christians major on behaviors, appearance, vocabulary, avoidance of things "secular", strict dating policies, external holiness, etc. These are wonderful people who are authentically trying to be all they can be for God and live their lives, individually and corporately, in a way that honors God.
* Some not-so-wonderful church folks have their identity wrapped up in their behaviors, appearances, vocabulary, avoidance of all things "secular", strict dating policies, external holiness, etc and are toxic because of their arrogance, theological view that salvation is somehow earned or lost because of these behavioral decisions, and judgmental attitude toward "different" people. These people, rare as they are, respond to any threat of their "holy identity" with frustration, hostility, and judgmental impatience.
* Some wonderful church folks believe that holiness is an inside job and that good Christians major on authenticity, transparency, humility, love for all humans, compassion, and "get-your-hands-dirty" faith in God. These people are trying to experience God's redemptive work deep in their souls before demonstrating it in their external behaviors.
* Some not-so-wonderful church folks believe that holiness is an inside job and that good Christians major on authenticity, transparency, humility, love for all humans, compassion, and "get-your-hands-dirty" faith in God, and they view all "get-it-right-to-reflect-God's-glory" folks as enemies of the Church, ignorant fools, and toxic threats to true godliness and community. These "authentic-no-rules-just-raw-honesty" kind of people, rare as they are, are as judgmental and arrogant as the pharisees because they stimulate division and animosity rather than love. They are harmful to the cause of Christ and alienate more people than they edify.
* The fifth kind of church folks are those who are fat, dumb, and happy. They aren't thinking deeply about any of this and are along for the ride. They are harmless to the church and impotent in contributing to its power to serve the mission of Jesus.
What do you think?
Which group is you?
What am I missing?
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