Once upon a time, a bunch of guys got around a large table and decided that what the world needed more than anything else was an organization that would legislate “proper life.” Of course these men, because women weren’t allowed, had to also define what “proper life” was and how it could be achieved. This meant that the “proper life” would include a list of behaviors that are commonly accepted and those that were avoided at all costs. From this list there was then created a secondary list, which eventually would become the most important list, that chronicled who lived the “proper life” appropriately and who didn’t – basically this was a who’s in and who’s out list.
Now the founders realized that in order to determine who was “in” they would have to elevate themselves up to very vocal leadership positions (which of course was the original underlying point). Once they were in control, and could persuade folks to their ideal way of life, they would then have the power over the lesser minds of the world. Anyone who’s anyone knows that in order to get folks to follow a “proper” way of life, one must have a brilliant mythology that you can convince everyone is true. This mythology became the document upon which future wars will be fought over – wars for land, more power or just who gets to use the remote control once the kids went to bed. Once all this is settled, they name the organization and begin to corrupt the entire world for the sake of their own egos and personal gains.
The End.
Silly story, right? I mean it’s pretty ridiculous to imagine a group of people just wanting control badly enough that they’d be willing to invent a whole pattern for society, right? I’m a pretty hard core realist, so there’s something, as ludicrous as the story sounds, that still makes me wonder if any truth resides there. I can’t tell you how many folks believe that there are elements of this story that are a true part of the Church. Many theories of those early church councils have helped to spark the idea that old men gathered to determine who was in and who was out based on personal presence and the desire for power. Sadly, this kind of extreme re-historizing eliminates the many faithful men and women who entered in so that they could more fully understand and advance the love of God to those around them.
I get to talk to all kinds of people – both inside the religious community and outside. I read books about the “mass exodus” of young people from their faith traditions who leave in search for a more authentic experience. Over and over again, I hear this phrase, “the biggest problem the world has ever seen is organized religion”. I hear from folks that they would rather have a personal spiritual experience and just leave all the religion to the churches – who are just “after my money anyway.” The idea that the Church is the enemy of free and open communication to God is a prevalent rallying cry for people of all ages. I probably hear something similar to this story several times a month and it really saddens me.
I’ve lived and worked in the church for nearly all my life. It’s a part of who I am and I too have felt the tires of the institutional bus as it roared onward to it’s own endgame. I’ve experienced it all – great situations and really poor, leaders with good hearts and those with a personal agenda the size of a cowboy hat in Texas. I’ve been apart of congregations, both large and small, who have been engulfed in control wars. I’ve seen a lot of good done in the name of the Church and I’ve seen a lot of bad as well. The thing is, I’m still a firm believer that the hope for our world resides in the community of faith, also known as the church, that will choose to follow Jesus and make a difference that helps to bring a little bit of heaven to the hell that so many are living.
I believe this with all my heart, and I believe it will happen when the church realizes just how important the idea and practice of grace really is. When people ask me to give them a reason for the Church, I simply say the church is around to extend the grace of Jesus wherever it finds itself. Grace, that’s it. I can’t help but believe that if more followers of Jesus were able to wrestle with the Grace that they have received, they would be much more willing to give it to those around us. When I see a church culture that is wrapped up in a cloud of secrecy and control, I can usually see a direct correlation with how little grace is emphasized within that place.
One of the most recognizable martyrs of the 20th century was a pastor by the name of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was a guy who lived Grace but who also championed defying the oppressive regime of Hitler and Nazism. Eventually, Bonhoeffer’s stance and visibility cost him his life. Throughout his ministry, Pastor Bonhoeffer championed a strong grace – one that realized it’s cost and that it didn’t come cheap. Grace isn’t a lack of backbone, or the ability to speak boldly and truthfully. It doesn’t mean that we aren’t held accountable, but it does mean that we move and have our being with others in a way that lifts up and encourages us to move forward. Grace says, yes we fail, but how can we get up, and try again. Grace says “even though you deserve to be dumped on and forgotten, I will not let you go.” Karma says you get what you deserve and Grace says I’ll give better than what you deserve.
How are you offering grace right now? Could someone look at your life and see grace flowing from you? When was the last time you quieted your soul and heard the grace of Jesus wash over you and offer you wholeness and purpose? Each member of God’s creation has already been given grace, but we are in desperate need of more of it – will you and I decide to be the ones to offer it? Will we continue to let Jesus’ grace in our lives be so reflective in us that a little bit of heaven breaks wherever we go?
May His grace fill you with joy and fill you with purpose and then may you extend it to all around you…