Coffee Shop Christianity

For the past few weeks, I have been going to a coffee shop almost every day. Usually, while I'm there, I am able to tune out the rest of the world and have a chance to think, write, and listen to whatever I have on iTunes. Sadly, I have now come into the coffee house so much that the workers ask me if I want the usual. I feel like Norm on Cheers. It's only a matter of time until they give me a shirt and an apron and put me to work! Being there as much as I am, I see all sorts of people walk in. Some come in and sit down with their bibles, and others come to socialize. However, everyone comes because the coffee shop has something that they like. For some, like me, it's solace with a little white noise, to others it's coffee and conversation, and to others it's anything but home.

I started thinking about the similarities between this coffee shop and the current situation of the church. Many, if not all, current Christian churches desire to have something for everyone. However, I ask myself how polarizing the Church is supposed to be. Are we supposed to be a bitter taste to some? When Christ says that the world will hate his followers (not a quote), is that because of our indifference toward the world, or the nature of the gospel? The conclusion that I came to is that it is both.

I see a trend with the modern church, in that we are trying to be popular. We attempt to create tantalizing special effects in order that it may captivate the congregation. Even small churches are attempting to prepare room in a modest budget for video screens and better instruments. What is the desired result? Hopefully it brings more people in that they might hear the gospel. Unfortunately it is a sleight-of-hand trick that leaves the audience staring at the distraction (the effects), rather than the revelation (the gospel). 

The mistake that I think we are making is that the appeal to the church is supposed to be the gospel. However, that makes most of you nervous, because you think that the gospel alone doesn't appeal to the masses, and you are right; it appeals to Christians. Ultimately, the Church is faced with a decision: would we rather have 10,000 of the unbelieving filling the pews, or 10 of the believing? I think the choice, for the most part, has been made. Consequently, our sanctuaries are filled with coffee shops and roller coasters. However, if there is a group of 10 believers that are fulfilling their evangelical obligations on the days between Sunday and Sunday, then the people that come to salvation will be attracted to the revelation of Christ. The Church will be polarizing to those that have no desire for Christ, and appealing to those that want to grow as disciples. 

Famous Penguins and the People That Watch Them

One of my favorite documentaries is The March of the Penguins. I saw it about a year ago at the request of my brother, after he had raved about it. It fascinated me to watch as these cute little penguins waddled their way through frigid temperatures to go through their annual mating processes, as if they were programmed to do so. The way they behaved was, at times, comical because they carried themselves like humans. They are creatures of habit that perform their natural courses without concern for the changes that surround them.

I started thinking, as is usually the case, about the similarities and differences between penguins and people. It occurred to me that people were meant to live in community. As the penguins marched to their destination, they stayed in the straightest of lines, so they could save the greatest number of troops. Upon arrival, they huddled to stay warm; each group taking turns in the middle of the pack. Yet, as my wife and I attempt to survive in the "big city" of Dallas, TX, I could not tell you the names of those that live around me. It is sad to think that as much as we are built to live in community, everything that is within us is conditioned for solitude. We have grown to desire everything at our fingertips, and we despise community.

This is, perhaps, the most dangerous form of evolution. Many creatures have adapted or "evolved" for basic survival, but humanity is the only being that has ever evolved toward destruction. As we isolate ourselves from each other, the fabric of family and community begins to tear. 

Additionally, it seems as though we've been torn apart by the search for truth. As each person attempts to construct his own "truth," he removes himself from every divergent... which is everyone. What would happen if the penguins followed suit? If they began to seek their own path, they would die. Instead, they continue to trudge through life together... as a community. It forces me to ask the question: Are we really the smartest of the bunch?

The Corruption of the Church

I was in a Christian church the other day, and as I looked around, I couldn't help but feel sick to my stomach. I didn't know if it was the latte that I had just finished at Starbucks (conveniently located at the back of the sanctuary), or if it was the position of the high-back rocker that I was sitting in. Then, it struck me. I came to the realization that the pastor that was rambling on in front of me was one of the better businessmen in the city. I looked around at the assets that he had established, and I mentally congratulated him for his achievements. This lead me to my next thought: "This church makes money hand over fist."

The weekend before, my wife, some friends and I visited a small baptist church on the north side of town. As we sat there, listening to the opinions overflowing from the pulpit, the pastor said, "...as for those Christians that don't attend church, if there is such a thing..." I looked at my wife, sitting to my left, and my friends, sitting to my right, with my mouth open. Why did he feel the need to categorize a large percentage of the population as degenerate? Was he simply trying to place that thought in the minds of his congregation? Perhaps, but I would hardly give him that much credit of forethought (or strategy).

I realized the cause of my nausea. As I looked around at the faces of the people, I saw a sea of academy award-winning actors and actresses. The people looked as though everything in life was working out as they had hoped, but you had to know that, out of 10,000 people, there would be a few that were overwhelmed with depression, drug addiction, or worse -- apathy.

I don't think that the term, "church," means the same thing today that it meant from the mouths of the apostles. Behind the pulpit stands a man that is either a good businessman, or orator that has an audience to listen to his opinions; most of which include a list do's and don'ts. Are we learning how to live as Christ followers through the difficult paths of life, or how to mask our emotions in a swell of opinions that are out of touch with reality?