Passion & Church

This entry is but an exerpt from a recent paper I wrote concerning "leadership". Some thoughts are a bit incomplete, but I suppose this leaves room for discussion. Please join me.

On the whole, my greatest passion is to see the Church, relationships, our communities, our culture and people in general, reconciled to Jesus Christ. Please don’t misunderstand me. I believe there are some great things happening all around us on a daily basis and that God is pleased with these things. I think of people who are meeting the needs of the “least of these” locally and globally, the upstanding believers who are, yes, broken and imperfect, but are making His name famous; pastors, laypeople, para-church organizations, global intiatives organizations, and so on. But sadly, and because of sin, there are many more displeasing things taking place. My questions are: What are we doing about it? Are we as individuals and as Christians solely joining the conversation? Are we a part of the solution, or are we only a part of the problem? What has got to give to see God’s Kingdom come, here on earth as it is in heaven?

In light of all the great folks in the Church, unfortunately following the Lord, the Head of the Church, seems to have become a wrestling match in this day and age. If we know we are his beloved and the bride of Christ, why is there so much turmoil? Why do we not trust Him the way we ought? Has he not delivered his people time and time again? Inevitably the times are changing and new generations are emerging both as leaders and laypeople. The task of answering the cries of the American Church has never appeared so daunting, so desperate than what we see today. I believe God wants to continue to do great things in and through the Church in America, though honestly, much will need to change to bring her back to become a pleasing sight in His eyes once again.