Because of these experiences, some will choose to write off the church entirely. Believing the institutional church to be the only valid option for Christian community, they will consign themselves to a Christian faith lived in isolation - or worse, abandon their faith altogether. In so doing, they will miss the joy of growing in faith together with sisters and brothers in Christ. They will be deprived of the sense of belonging that comes in recognizing that they are not alone; that as members of the historic and universal church, they stand side-by-side with saints and sinners who illustrate the love of God in the heights of Christ-like love and the depths of human depravity. They will the miss the beauty and grace of Christ's love and redemption as it works its way out of broken lives shared together in relationship.
The Desert Faith Project is intended to be an experiment in community for those who struggle with church culture but who are fascinated with Jesus and who still hold out hope for Christ's church. However, the reflections, readings and resources on this blog are meant for the encouragement, support and healing for any and all who find themselves outsiders to the church as well as church leaders who seek to bridge the divide. I hope that for some this experiment would lead to reconciliation with their own church traditions and institutions. For those who find this impossible, I pray that it will be a word of encouragement and hope in your desert faith.
You can add "freaks" to that list. I certainly consider myself one of those who have issues with organized religion. However, I am fully aware that my concerns are with the "church" and not with God.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, I do not "suffer" a life of isolation even though I seldom attend church. My usual "church" involves reading and discussing the Bible with one or both of my children. We arrived at this arrangement through joint discussion. My children were simply not into children's church even though the heart of our "church" is as good as any I've attended. I fully supported our study at home. I don't believe that forcing my kids to go to church will be in anyone's best interest long-term. Further, I believe that studying the Bible any openly discussing all aspects (yes, including taboo issues like doubt) is a great way to build true faith. I've never liked the memorization and force fed ideology that is usually employed in "church". It feels uncomfortably close to brain-washing to me. At the very least it feels like it is stealing something away from God.
You make a very important point. So often I hear people talk about how they leave the church because they are frustrated or hurt. But some people don't "suffer isolation," they "choose solitude." Church organizations sometimes forget this, assuming that their particular form of community is "what the whole world needs."
ReplyDeleteI do think it's important that solitary people find *someone else with whom they can share faith and life at least on a semi-regular basis because it seems God didn't create us to be alone. That can be family, close friend(s), or even a small discussion group meeting at one's home or local coffee shop. After all, Jesus says, "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst" (Mat 18:20 NAU). I know of one husband and wife who - like you - have "church" with just each other every Sunday morning.
Those of us who are "sociable" tend to forget that not all people have the same desires, needs and callings. Unfortunately, some churches are more interested in telling people what their needs and callings are than letting them discover those things for themselves as they live out their faith in Christ.
For those of us who might choose solitude, the universal calling to share the love and hope of Jesus is still present. Still, it might look a little different, and it may require a little more work, perseverance and/or creativity. And perhaps this is the residual church group-think talking, but I also think that our lives are enriched by every relationship we build (inside and outside the church). Would you agree or disagree?