Living Alive

“ADVERTIZING” CHURCH vs OFFERING CHRIST

It’s the difference between “marketing” and “mission”.
Macedonia has 1 mission (purpose): “To know Christ and to make Christ known.” Recent AP news articles have reported that mainline Christian churches have been in decline for the last 40 years in America (no news there). In 2009, UMC has launched a $20 million ad campaign “Rethink Church” – the dollar amount of which, I suppose, is why it’s news.

What do you think about that? (BTW, I personally like the “Rethink Church” campaign… I’m just not content with “marketing”).

The reporter called it a “rebranding effort aimed at attracting younger members.” I’m all in favor of attracting young people.

But that may not be the point.

The Church (at large, I hope, but I can only speak for Macedonia Church) is about offering Christ. Ads are not marketing but part of our mission.

You know the best “ad” in the world is you – living your life, offering Christ, being a witness to others. I know that you are getting to know Christ better by worshipping God and participating in the ministries of the church.

And, take it one step further, offer Christ to someone by inviting them worship God with you this Sunday.

Guns at church. I have been shocked each time I’ve learned (that’s almost a handful of tragic circumstances in 2009 alone) that someone has shot someone at a church – around our “peaceful” nation.

Recently a pastor in Kentucky announced a “potluck” for gun-owners to bring their weapons to church. Evidently, this is a positive promotion of responsible gun ownership.  I am all for responsible gun ownership. However, guns at church?!?

Serving the Prince of Peace, I am all about peace-keeping, and peacemakers do utilize guns, at certain times, in specific circumstances.  But at church?  I don’t think there should be guns at church for any reason.

More tragically, last Sunday a person was shot while passing out bulletins, peacefully, at his church. As you’ve certainly heard, it was Dr. Tiller, (in)famous abortion doctor.  Stop.

Wait. Set aside motives, any sense of retributive justice or “holy war” – and ask yourself a simple question.  Does God want Christians to kill people?

Does God want us to kill people in His House?

Another news report: 40 people were killed in a mosque in Pakistan – while peacefully at prayer.  And it seems we dismiss those sorts of acts as jihad, terrorism or some other foreign factor.  “We’re better than that in America, as Christians.”  Really?

Almost 20% of that number of people have been killed in churches in America in 2009. (And it’s only June.)

What’s going on here?  Who are we really: disciples of Christ, the Prince of Peace – who never struck down another person, tho’ he had power to do much more than that!   Or, are we American-individualistic-ideologues, bent on doing God’s “dirty work” for Him, on our own terms?

What do you think?

I’d love to hear from you on this one.  But let me kick it up a notch.

Supposedly, the man who shot Dr Tiller was a Christian, allegedly killing him for religious reasons.  Dr Tiller certainly considered himself a Christian.

Do you think these two people will meet in heaven?  And what sort of God might you believe in if that eternal circumstance were possible?

“With God all things are possible.”  ~ Jesus