Thursday, May 21, 2009

Woods Chapel United Methodist unChurch

unChurch. The more I read about what is going on in our country, the more I think that young people are interested in unChurch.

unChurch is a place where they talk about Jesus and help me with my spiritual life, but I get to do it at my own pace. unChurch accepts me as I am. unChurch is patient with me on my journey. unChurch is as good at rejecting traditional churchisms as I am.

The young people that I am talking to are looking for unChurch. Real. Authentic. Warm. Open. They don't care about the authority of pastors or the rightness of someone's doctrine. They want to see the love of Jesus Christ in action.

A church for people who are tired of churchyness [churchiness]. I think that is where we would find Jesus worshipping. Woods Chapel United Methodist unChurch.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jeff,
I am the father of a 14-year-old son and 11 year old daughter. When I think of what they are dealing with compared to my childhood, I understand why my 14 year old questions things. I think it was easier for me to digest what I was taught. I didn’t have the internet; my video play system was "pong".
I didn’t know the reality of events like Columbine. Didn’t hear much about teen pregnancy or abortion. Didn’t have MTV or celebrity rehab.
George Brett and Cookie Rojas weren’t on steroids.
I am glad we have Brian and Stephanie to bridge the gap.
I think you are correct. When the world the kids are living in is so insane, the church needs to become less rigid and more accepting and inviting. Thanks for nudging me to process this stuff.
Erik B

Josh S. said...

That's it. And I'd say we don't just want to go that kind of church -- we want to BE that church.

H4EO said...

I have recently read articles using the term "followers of Christ" describing believers who no longer feel the attributes of Jesus are being expressed by many churches. Some feel the grace and forgiveness encouraged by Christ is not being displayed by the loudest "Christian" voices.

Is it possible that our rhetoric is overshadowing our ability to express love? When ears are shut - the eyes see less.

The "love of Jesus Christ in action", as you put it, can only be seen when it is offered with transparency of intent. Others see how often we use doctrine and rhetoric as tools to separate and elevate ourselves. Where is the love in that?