It is true, I maybe slower than some. It has really taken me until the age of 50 to realize my vision. Or perhaps I ought to say that I was pursuing it but it seems a lot less likely to slip from my reach now than earlier in my life.
When I look at the variety of religious activities, just in Christianity alone, in America, I see a lot of marketing. I should know, I worked for the last nine years in a "telemarketing" firm. Oh, not the worst boiler-room operation. And all of our operators are still sitting in a building in America.
We aren't hiring Meerkats in Marakesh.
But it does seem as I travel down the road of life, going to church is a lot like looking at fast food choices. If you don't like Arby's you can always go to Denny's or Burger King, etc. ( No I receive no product endorsements in all of this.) What really is the difference between Baptists and AG and Methodists, etc...?
No, I studied American church theology and I know the differences in Biblical interpretation. I also took World Religions in several different permutations and Philosophy as well. But the founder of the whole gig told his followers that the world would recognize the authenticity of thier movement by the way they existed in community with each other, not, insisted on opinionated conformity to various interpretations of what the founder said or meant. Love, for
Christ's sake, is supposed to be our hallmark.
I am remembering a debate in a denominational conference on the importance of distinctives.
Do you insist on square burgers or round? Seeded buns or steamed? Veggie or Beef? And does your Jesus look more like a comedian or a King? Do your seminary students have to sign the same faith statement when they leave as when they arrived, thus proving that they haven't learned anything?
Holding the Truth without sacrificing the Love is still a work area, it seems for most churchfolk
today.
Steve C.
