We are going public…
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
What stops me talking about God?
Night after night my job requires me to preach about God. I boldly proclaim the truths of God’s Word and ask people to consider the mysteries of faith as long as we stay inside the church. My boldness fades as soon as my surroundings change. This is, in fact, the opposite of boldness. My wife and I are fortunate to have a number of friends who are not Christians, but those relationships also cause the most bizarre feelings to arise.
From time to time as we eat, drink, and hang out with these people we will begin to discuss work. We are all in our thirties and only a few of us have kids, what else do we have to talk about. When the focus turns to me and the questions comes, “Scott, what do you do?” I begin to fumble my words. “I work at a church… i work with people… I am counselor of sorts, etc.”
Am I ashamed of my calling to ministry?
Am I ashamed of God?
These questions haunted me when they first popped into my mind. What kind of man am I if I am ashamed of the God who loves me or the ministry he called me to? After much consideration I can honestly say I neither ashamed of God or my calling. I am a Pastor and love God.
Even still, my silence is anchored in Shame!
The latest polls, at least this is what i hear speaker guys say, tells us the world predominantly characterizes Christians in three ways; they hate gay people, are judgmental, and hypocritical. That’s what the average joe thinks of me? That’s something to be ashamed of.
I am not ashamed of Christ… it’s Christians that bug me. What we do in the name of God is at least shameful if not straight up sinful. In the name of God Christians paint their hair blue and run around on TV. In the name of God we ignore poverty. In the name of God we politicize our faith. In the name of God we watch news stories of Anna Nicole and ignore global genocide.
Church remix is one stab to reclaim the church from the crazies who have convinced the world our banner argument is hating gays. This is not so much a discussion about systems, although you will find that here. This is not so much emerging, post modern, missional, or any other buzz word. This site will hopefully open discussion as to how we can live incarnation-ally in the world with no shame in who the church is and what God has called us to.
The elements of church remain the same but from time to time everything needs a remix.
