I struggle when we love the church more than Jesus. When the institutional church prioritizes its own interests above the teachings of Jesus Christ, it can lead to negative consequences. This can manifest in ways such as prioritizing traditions and rituals over genuine compassion and love for others, focusing on power and control rather than humility and service, and becoming overly concerned with rules and regulations at the expense of mercy and grace. When the institution becomes more important than the core principles of Christ's teachings, it can alienate people who are seeking spiritual guidance and support. The institutional church should aim to embody the love, compassion, and inclusivity that Jesus Christ exemplified, rather than getting caught up in self-serving agendas.
Sam, I couldn't agree more. Often I wish that the church would be more like an AA meeting. The only requirement for belonging is that you need to be there. And every newcomer hears, "Welcome. You've come to the right place. We're glad you're here."
This is a revelation! It is something that I know, but also need to be reminded of on a daily basis! I think this is where the concept of grace is such a countercultural antidote to our workism.
Also, thanks for sharing your books - just purchased Looking for God in Messy Places on audible (I have a long commute). Looking forward to having your words accompany me this next week.
Thanks, Christine! You're right about how countercultural grace is. And I would love to hear your thoughts about the book. BTW, some of the readers who know me have commented that they wish I had read the book myself. Honestly, I think they were just being nice!
Yes, I wish it were you reading it! I am halfway through and loving it so far! In fact, will be buying a hardcopy, just so I have it to reference and lend to my students.
This makes me aware of the "workism" that's present--for all sorts of worthy reasons--in our churches: Don't we admire and praise the members who not only serve on the vestry, but also take food and flowers to the sick, work with the youth group, and clean up after the potluck (to which they brought a casserole AND a dessert)? And don't we (ok, ME) often have a sneaking suspicion that we're not doing ENOUGH? Every one does need to help, of course, but there are "varieties of gifts"--doing *more* doesn't make us better--or more loved by God. I need to think about that. Thank you!
Mary, you're so right. Workism happens everywhere, including the church. Being faithfully finite turns out to be a struggle for us all. My spiritual director (one from long ago) once told me: there you go forgetting that you're not God. You already know that, but I'll say it here. Working from love is very different from working for love. The clearer we get about our ministries as working in response to God, the clearer we will get about drawing boundaries. And as you suggest, drawing our own limits can make room for others to engage in the shared ministry. Of course, it's always easier to say stuff like this than to do it.
Love your description! I've thought about it too, especially that others may expect more than I feel I can give... we don't all have the same energy levels, time, and so on. And then I thought of Martha asking Jesus to tell Mary to give her a hand with the work she felt needed to be done -- instead of Mary just, you know, sitting there at Jesus feet learning from him -- we know how that turned out! Tends to make me feel better :) Looking forward to reading +Jake's reply.
A wonderful, thought-provoking article. It churned up some thoughts and realizations about my life of 77 years. Things I have habitually done and protected by thinking they were a virtue, that turn out needing to be rethought and come to a sense of remorse as I am incorporating that the Good News is already mine (and always was mine!).
Thanks, Sandy! I just told my spiritual director that I'm energized by struggling with new ways of understanding things (and with unlearning some old things). Blessed Lent
This will keep me pondering- in what ways am I a functional atheist? This may be a better thing to give up than chocolate. Thank you for putting this so succinctly and sharing your wisdom.
Beautifully stated. I recently took a class about evangelism in the Episcopal tradition and the instructor stated that ‘the Episcopal Church will die from functional atheism and terminal user-friendliness.’ Ouch! But it still rings true.
I hope you write more about the other forms of atheism. Sometimes,it seems closer to deism.
I struggle when we love the church more than Jesus. When the institutional church prioritizes its own interests above the teachings of Jesus Christ, it can lead to negative consequences. This can manifest in ways such as prioritizing traditions and rituals over genuine compassion and love for others, focusing on power and control rather than humility and service, and becoming overly concerned with rules and regulations at the expense of mercy and grace. When the institution becomes more important than the core principles of Christ's teachings, it can alienate people who are seeking spiritual guidance and support. The institutional church should aim to embody the love, compassion, and inclusivity that Jesus Christ exemplified, rather than getting caught up in self-serving agendas.
Sam, I couldn't agree more. Often I wish that the church would be more like an AA meeting. The only requirement for belonging is that you need to be there. And every newcomer hears, "Welcome. You've come to the right place. We're glad you're here."
This is a revelation! It is something that I know, but also need to be reminded of on a daily basis! I think this is where the concept of grace is such a countercultural antidote to our workism.
Also, thanks for sharing your books - just purchased Looking for God in Messy Places on audible (I have a long commute). Looking forward to having your words accompany me this next week.
Thanks, Christine! You're right about how countercultural grace is. And I would love to hear your thoughts about the book. BTW, some of the readers who know me have commented that they wish I had read the book myself. Honestly, I think they were just being nice!
Yes, I wish it were you reading it! I am halfway through and loving it so far! In fact, will be buying a hardcopy, just so I have it to reference and lend to my students.
This makes me aware of the "workism" that's present--for all sorts of worthy reasons--in our churches: Don't we admire and praise the members who not only serve on the vestry, but also take food and flowers to the sick, work with the youth group, and clean up after the potluck (to which they brought a casserole AND a dessert)? And don't we (ok, ME) often have a sneaking suspicion that we're not doing ENOUGH? Every one does need to help, of course, but there are "varieties of gifts"--doing *more* doesn't make us better--or more loved by God. I need to think about that. Thank you!
Mary, you're so right. Workism happens everywhere, including the church. Being faithfully finite turns out to be a struggle for us all. My spiritual director (one from long ago) once told me: there you go forgetting that you're not God. You already know that, but I'll say it here. Working from love is very different from working for love. The clearer we get about our ministries as working in response to God, the clearer we will get about drawing boundaries. And as you suggest, drawing our own limits can make room for others to engage in the shared ministry. Of course, it's always easier to say stuff like this than to do it.
"Faithfully finite"--oh, that's a keeper! Thank you!
Love your description! I've thought about it too, especially that others may expect more than I feel I can give... we don't all have the same energy levels, time, and so on. And then I thought of Martha asking Jesus to tell Mary to give her a hand with the work she felt needed to be done -- instead of Mary just, you know, sitting there at Jesus feet learning from him -- we know how that turned out! Tends to make me feel better :) Looking forward to reading +Jake's reply.
Thank you for this, I liked this
I am so glad you did! Lenten blessings, Aussie Jo
A wonderful, thought-provoking article. It churned up some thoughts and realizations about my life of 77 years. Things I have habitually done and protected by thinking they were a virtue, that turn out needing to be rethought and come to a sense of remorse as I am incorporating that the Good News is already mine (and always was mine!).
Thanks, Sandy! I just told my spiritual director that I'm energized by struggling with new ways of understanding things (and with unlearning some old things). Blessed Lent
Excellent article, Jake.
Thanks, Tricia. Blessed Lent my friend
This will keep me pondering- in what ways am I a functional atheist? This may be a better thing to give up than chocolate. Thank you for putting this so succinctly and sharing your wisdom.
Thanks so much, Katie! I'll keep an eye out for your pondering. Blessed Lent
Beautifully stated. I recently took a class about evangelism in the Episcopal tradition and the instructor stated that ‘the Episcopal Church will die from functional atheism and terminal user-friendliness.’ Ouch! But it still rings true.
I hope you write more about the other forms of atheism. Sometimes,it seems closer to deism.
Thank you.
Thanks, Steve. And I do write about it in a manuscript I'm (gradually) completing. Hopefully it will hit the shelves in the fall. Blessed Lent.