Background information: The following was written in 2018. It was written in response to a sermon given by a pastor whom I did and still do consider a good friend. In it I can find the beginnings of a recent conclusion I came to which is that, in its current form, the church is one of the last places in which one may be able to find any sort of space for reconciliation. At another time, I guess I should write about why that is but I think the initial argument can be found here. The question towards the end was unanswered.
I enjoyed reading your sermon, you are a very gifted writer and, in turn, orator! You made several good points about how we're supposed to be working together through Christ rather than trying to position ourselves as the "best" church (whatever "best" means!) I loved the point about consumerism and how that has affected our view of the world around us.
I had a conversation with a friend a couple days ago, about how once we start to truly focus on God, we tend to worry less about if I'm getting my fair share and worry more about others getting theirs. (The context was a disagreement about how Christians should feel about everyone having access to a basic level of good healthcare. Take a guess which side I come down on...)
In response to your comment regarding the various groups of people at church, I'm assuming you're referring to those who have left their church rather than working through the often-painful reconciliation that staying would have required?
I think then where the catholic Church, the local church and Christians themselves fall short is the practical application of your sermon. Reconciliation, to paraphrase you, is an extremely difficult process that requires a huge amount of humility combined with a strong belief that reflecting the love of Christ to others is of utmost importance.
What is the structure for reconciliation at the macro level? Between Catholics, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish Christians, Coptic Christians, etc.? Between and within denominations? ECLA & LCMS? PCA & PCUSA? Every other church in the world?
What is the structure for reconciliation at the micro level? Between members? Between people of differing races, genders, sexual identities, religious identities, etc?
To me, Christ is the only structure upon which any hope of lasting reconciliation can be built. But, reconciliation does not occur in a vacuum. I cannot be reconciled to my brother by merely asking forgiveness privately to God and going forward with my day. We must pray together, we must confess together, we must communicate and be transparent together. What would a structure like that look like?
How do we do that in a church environment in which the primary focus of the church is an hour and fifteen-minute service once a week in which any conversation is one-way from the pulpit? (That's not a critique of you by the way, just to be clear.) How do we do that in a church environment in which there is little expected of our members outside attendance to the weekly service and the giving of the weekly tithe?
To be blunt, in our current church environment what motivation (other than depth of faith) does anyone have to pursue reconciliation?
My intent in asking is not to be a pessimist. I very much believe in the ability of the love of Christ to heal all wounds. My point is we need to take an honest look at the ways in which we, the church, are preventing true and lasting reconciliation to occur.
You mentioned in your sermon the transition from one head pastor to another and how smooth that has been which may very well true. But, can we honestly say no one has left the church because of that transition?
To me, even one person leaving the church due to anger and being hurt means we have not been successful. (For the record, I do not feel we need to get down on ourselves about our lack of success or that we shouldn’t celebrate all those who have stayed. And it’s not completely on us anyway, individuals make their choices.)
We the church (not you, the pastor) should be lamenting every individual who leaves rather than dismissing them as troublemakers as I see us often doing. We (again the church, not you, the pastor) should be putting every effort we can into reconciling and only once every effort has been exhausted should we move on. Is that not the least we can do considering the model of sacrifice Christ showed us?
I propose a simple, practical solution rooted in the advice given in your sermon. Will you pray with me about reconciliation? I mean that literally. Can we find 5-10 minutes a week (barring sickness, vacations, etc. – let’s not be legalistic here) to meet and pray?
Reconciliation within the church, outside the church, between individuals, I don’t really care the focus, I merely desire to turn to God and let Him lead us to a structure of reconciliation that is completely and wholly based on Him.
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