Creating Life Change

So much going on in life.  My calendar is constantly packed, the church calendar is even busier, and there is even more that I could be doing if I just wasn’t so tired and worn out.  But is busyness really the goal?  I sure hope not.  I think the goal is committed discipleship, yet at times that seems so easily lost.  All of our activity pushes us onward with direction-less frenzy until finally individuals and families are driven away from the church searching for sabbath.  Oh the irony.  

When we start to truly “rethink church” we often fall quickly into the realm of lip service.  Without question it is easier to continue our patterns, ineffective as they may be, than to form new structures of living.  However, this is exactly what Jesus asked us to do.  As Apostle Paul puts it in Romans 12, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  This last phrase, “good and acceptable and perfect,” this is the Kingdom of God.

At last our goal.  Move from the patterns of this world toward the Kingdom of God.  It is time for some renewing of our minds, or as I am calling it Disciple-making.  We must take inventory and make changes so that our lives reflect love of God, love of neighbor, and care for self.  This means loving God through worship, devotion, and contemplation.  Loving neighbor through justice and compassion.  And loving self through good nutrition, exercise, and finances.  And doing all things things in RELEVANT ways.  Each element takes life patterning that is intentional and difficult.

This type of change requires community.  And that community, no matter its form, should be known as Christ’s church.  This is the task of rethinking church.  I’m trying it out.  How are you doing with it?  Let me know it the comments below.