So much of our present day, modern, American Christianity is built on principles and ideals that are antithetical to the gospel. So much of what we do is simply un-Christian. Another way of saying this: we have missed the mark in following Jesus.
How so? We idolize more.
We build bigger buildings. We accumulate degrees. We count “new believers” and take “mission” trips (read: numbers games). We are obsessed with growth, with success. We adopt to the newest innovations in social media and slick marketing. We attend megachurches with the eloquent and engaging speakers. We try to look like edgy, cool, and relevant. We create nifty blogs and intuitive websites. We listen to the popular personalities and read all of their bestselling books. We go to the biggest conferences and play the latest chart topping tunes. We watch their television shows and play their radio networks. We heap these things up on our big pile of Christian accolades.
We want more. Better. Newer. Faster. It’s the American way.
But I think we were meant for less.
Less glitz and glam. Less popularity and political platforms. Less branding and marketing. Less cool and relevant.
Less, less, less.
(Required Disclaimer: Now I have to come back and state the obvious. None of these things are bad in and of themselves. In fact, they are wonderful tools in their own right. But let’s be honest, Church. We have a problem with more.)
I heard a little story from pastor and author Eugene Peterson. In his earliest days of ministry, he successfully planted a church and grew it. Upon the completion of the needed new church building, things seemed pretty good. But an odd thing happened. About six months later the regular attendance dropped. He sought out the absent members inquiring about the matter. They basically told him they were proud of what they accomplished: who would have thought a bunch of nobodies like them could ever do something great like that? Now that everything was done, they didn’t want the responsibility of regular attendance. They had hobbies and vacations to get back to.
A troubled Peterson petitioned advice from a mentor. The verdict: start a new building campaign! Peterson was shocked and confused. They didn’t need a new building; they had just finished one after all, and it suited their needs. The advisor explained that his congregation was full of good ole’ fashioned Americans: all they know is setting goals, getting things done, building, and growing. In short, all they know is more. Build a new building, they’ll come. Peterson didn’t follow this advice. Instead he got busy learning how to really pastor a people.
Following Jesus is slow, unglamorous work. It’s often boring and uneventful (though not always), kind of like washing the dishes or cutting the lawn. It’s not sexy and doesn’t make the news.
But this is the thing that we are called to. Faithfulness to Christ.
We were meant for so much less. Which ironically is more (Now cue the Switchfoot song). So much more.
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