“I have three things I’d like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids dies of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don’t give a shit. What’s worse is that you’re more upset with the fact that I said ‘shit’ than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night.”

- Tony Campolo

And therein lies my problem with the church in America. I’m not a big Tony Campolo fan, but that quote pretty much nails it. Christians are so busy arguing over the little things that they miss the big picture. And it isn’t limited to world hunger. Abortion is another issue. I’ve blogged about it before, but just to rehash things, what is more important – fighting a losing battle to outlaw abortion or developing Christian alternatives to Planned Parenthood that would greatly decrease the amount of abortions taking place? And if you think we can have both, pass the pipe cause I want to smoke what you’re smoking.

Of course, those are just two examples of issues outside the four walls of the church. But even inside the church, Christians are so busy bickering and fighting with each other it’s no wonder my unchurched friends don’t want to have anything to do with the church. Hell, I don’t want to have anything to do with it. I once read an anonymous quote that said “I love Jesus; it’s His fan club I can’t stand.” A perfect example can be found on YouTube. NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC began a sermon series on Easter Sunday entitled The Gospel. Part one was called Highway To Hell, and they kicked off service with the band performing a cover of AC/DC’s Highway To Hell. Personally, I think that’s awesome, especially considering the fact that Easter Sunday is the most attended day in most churches around the world. NewSpring reported that over 300 people accepted Christ on Easter Sunday. Would some of those have accepted Christ without hearing Highway To Hell in church? Probably. As scripture says, the spirit of God draws men unto salvation, so nothing you or I do can influence a person’s choice to accept Christ. Unless, of course, God uses you to lead them to him. What if God used an AC/DC song to push some of those people over the edge? From what I’ve read, NewSpring has heard from dozens of members who have said that had it not been for the band playing Highway To Hell, their father, brother, son, sister, husband, daughter, etc. would have left without making a decision to follow Christ.

Now, I understand that some people have a problem with this whole situation. And that’s okay. I’ve read several blog posts and YouTube comments from people who, while they didn’t agree with the methods, praised God for the 300 that accepted Christ that Sunday. What disgusts me are the people who blog or comment about the performance and show no resemblance to Christ in their attitudes. Some have even gone so far as to question the salvation of those 300 from Easter Sunday! Just Google NewSpring Highway To Hell and read some of the garbage that shows up in the top 10.

A similar example is methodology. Until recently I was visiting a church but finally had to stop going because I was sick of hearing the pastor drag churches through the mud instead of sharing with me something God revealed to him in the Bible. Do you really think Jesus cares if you worship him through a hymn as opposed to a Hillsong United song? No! As long as He is glorified. Do you really think that Jesus prefers preaching over teaching? Again, no. As His message is delivered the rest doesn’t matter. Do you think Jesus prefers exegetical sermons over topical sermons? Or the lighting in the sanctuary? Or the volume of the music? Or the way you’re dressed? NO!!!! Those are all HUMAN preferences.

With that in mind, I’m reminded of Mark 3:24-25. I don’t blame the liberals for a lack of values and morality in America. Nor do I blame the “gay agenda”. And I won’t even blame the media or the press. I’m blaming all of us who call ourselves Christians, because the church in America is a house divided. Is there a perfect church out there? No. But when people spend more time arguing semantics than they spend showing the love of Christ to everyone they encounter then we are a house divided.

Life can be funny sometimes.

Or maybe I’ve just got a twisted sense of humor.

Over the last couple years I’ve come to believe that many of the things I’ve been taught to avoid and in some cases even demonize, are not in and of themselves evil. Music, alcohol, etc.

A friend of mine explained it to me this way: “America is a nation of gluttons. We do everything to excess.” And he’s right.

Sadly though, people like to pick and choose what they demonize. I know people who are quick to condemn me for having a drink, yet most doctors would consider them to be obese and last time I checked, the Bible is just as harsh towards gluttony as it is drunkenness.

And just for the record, I’ve never been drunk. Never even been buzzed. And I don’t ever plan to be either.

Anyways, ever since moving back to Louisiana, I’ve really begun to ask the question, “What is church?”.

Do I have to go to a building with “church” in the name in order to “go to church”?
Do I have to go to that building at a certain time, on a certain day?
Does there have to be a very specific order that determines what is done in “church”?
Is an online community real community?

I’m still wrestling with these questions daily, so by no means am I saying that I have all the answers. Nor am I against the traditional Protestant concept of church. I believe that church, when done right, is an awesome agent for change, discipleship and spiritual growth.

The big question I’ve been wrestling with is, have we put God into a box by putting His church in a box?

Last time I checked, the Biblical definition of a church is the regular assembly of believers for the purpose of edification and instruction. In other words, to refresh and to teach. If that is church, then I go to church every Sunday night at McAlister’s where there is a Bible study. And if online communities count, I go to LifeChurch.tv every week.

All of that brings me to this: earlier this week a friend told me that they have really begun to “question my lifestyle”, because I don’t go to (their definition of) church, I enjoy the occasional adult beverage and have been known to smoke a cigar every now and then.

Yet the funny part (funny to me) is that twice in the past two months I’ve had very deep, thought-provoking, long conversations with an unchurched friend of mine about Jesus, the Bible, church and sin, and during both conversations we enjoyed a couple cigars and some bourbon.

Thoughts?

and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
- Matthew 6:12 (ESV)

This one verse from the Lord’s prayer sparked an interesting discussion amongst some friends last night. No one disputed the belief that if you are unable to forgive others God is unable to forgive you. But at the end of the evening we were left with an interesting question: Can you forgive someone without approaching them and doing it face to face?

As we went around the table, the answers ranged from “No, you have to contact them somehow, someway, unless they’re dead.” to a simple “yes”.

So we were told to investigate the scriptures for ourselves and come back the following Sunday evening with our answers and the scriptures to support those answers.

Needless to say, I’ve been doing a bit of research. I’m of the opinion that the best practice in most situations is to go to the person (or at least contact them) and let them know you’ve forgiven them, but that there are some situations where that just isn’t ideal. Situations that would do more harm than good.

And yes, I’ve got scriptures to support my position.

But I wanted to open this up to those who come across my blog.

What are your thoughts?

Why?