Part of a progressive evangelical's Story

A few Sunday’s ago one of the reading was 1 Timothy 1:12-17.  For those of you who have not memorized the Bible, here is the text:

¹²I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, ¹³even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. ¹⁶But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

The National Study of Youth and Religion discovered that Christianity is not the most dominate religion in America.  Rather, the most dominate “religion” in America is “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism” guised as Christianity.  Specifically I hear people talk about Christianity not as a source of transformation in the world but as a supplemental ‘support’ for the argument or worldview already held.  

“The Bible that homosexuality is a sin.”

“Jesus said I am the Way and so that means Jesus is the ONLY way.”

“Jesus is talking about a metaphorical cross.  He is not asking us to literally die.”

“God said the Second coming will happen when Israel is restored.”

I rarely hear my fellow Christians say things like:

“Christ entered my heart and I can no longer see my neighbor as an enemy.”

“God transformed my life and I am now and advocate for peace at all times.”

“The Holy Spirit has convicted me to give up a worldview that I held dear.”

“God has radically changed the way I see the world and people around me.”

And yet, this Scripture explains the latter list is more like what Paul said.  He was a man of violence (he killed Christians).  He was a blasphemer (he thought that he spoke for God).  He was a persecutor (he sought out to eradicate groups he though of as ‘other’ or dangerous).  He was a gun toting, scripture quoting, condemning, violent man who thought that his ways were not only Good but justifiable in the sight of God and could support his views with Scripture.  

Then Saul/Paul encountered the Risen Christ and all of that changed. 

He stopped killing.  He intimidated Christ.  He advocated for brotherly love for all people.  His worldview changed and he could no longer think the way he once thought.  Christ changed him. 

I too was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence.  After 9/11 my friends and I wanted to join the armed forces and “kill those bastards.”  Then I encountered the risen Christ and everything changed.  I can no longer ever remember what it was like to think the ways I did in 2001.  I cannot even image killing anyone.  Christ changed me 180 degrees. 

I do not think that I am the best Christian by any stretch.  I can only share my journey and I have changed because of Christ.  

The National Study of Youth and Religion expresses that American Christianity is most dominantly a religion which supports people’s current worldviews or arguments.  That Christianity has been domesticated and any transformational aspects of the religion have been removed. 

I pray this trend will reverse because Christ changed my life.   

God has been transforming lives in Texas? Oh wait...

The Central Texas Conference (which is a geographical region in which 300+ churches are grouped together) celebrates 100 years in existence.  To celebrate this anniversary the conference decided to throw a big party an invite all the churches to set up tables in the Will Rogers convention center.  These tables will have the history of each community of faith in the conference with pictures and a narrative for people to learn about them.

The conference decided that this event would be an opportunity to invite Willie Nelson not only because he is from the area but also he grew up Methodist.  :Loads of people were exited and the churches plugged this celebration as an opportunity to hear Willie Nelson.   Kinda neat.

Until Willie Nelson drops out.

People are not happy.  People are concerned that the attendance will be hit dramatically.  Because, lets be honest, how many people are really drawn to the idea of looking at a bunch of slide shows of churches they do not know about.

I am saddened by this whole thing.  And not that Willie Nelson will not be there.

Our conference has the opportunity to share with the whole central Texas area that what the UMC has done in this part of the country.  We have build hospitals and schools and feed countless people only to be outnumbered by the amount of people we have clothed.  We have joined with the major metropolitan areas to help with homelessness and we have helped create cross religious conversations and ministries.  We created Metropolitan board of missions and United Community Centers.  We have campus ministries and youth ministries and built homes.  The Central Texas Conference has done so much and the best way we could think to celebrate it is to have slide shows and Willie Nelson.

Did I mention that Willie Nelson is not coming?  Did I tell you how much people are questioning this event at this point?  Did I mention, that to my knowledge there is no worship of God?

Is the music and celebrity of Willie Nelson more transformational that the mission and ministry of God through the Central Texas Conference?

Is Willie Nelson more important or has had a much greater influence in the lives of people in the Central Texas area than the United Methodist Church?

Willie Nelson will not be there but you can be sure the Living God for whom created you and me and gives life to the entire world will be there.

But even that might not be a big enough appeal.

Sunday's Benediction from Rev. Dr. Gilbert Ferrell

"Charles King once said, 'The church is mission.'  It does not have a mission, it is mission.  It does not sent missionaries, it itself is sent.  And the church exists for the sake of the world and not for its own sake.  And it can never forget that without becoming apostate.  Go then people of God, into the world God loves, teach it a song, break the bread share the cup, decry injustice, wage peace.  And God of peace go with you where you are.  Amen."