Readings for today: Leviticus 13, Mark 6:1-29, Psalms 39, Proverbs 10:10
“And Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.” (Mark 6:7-13)
I cannot begin to count the number of conferences I get invited to each year promising the latest and greatest techniques to help my church reach our community. Leaders from the most successful churches - (Read: largest in weekly attendance) - keynote session after session letting you in on the secret to their success. Vision. Mission. Philosophy. Core values. Strategy. Frankly, it all sounds very corporate to me. I used to attend faithfully. Every year I would make my way to one conference or another searching for new ideas on how to jumpstart my church. Every year I would return home with books, CD’s, podcasts, and all sorts of other material to help me in my quest. Every year I would become disillusioned and disappointed as my new ideas failed one after the other. Eventually, I burned out on conferences and instead turned back to Scripture.
It is striking to see the difference between the Jesus way and the way of the American church in the 21st century. Jesus simply sends his disciples out two by two into towns and villages all over Galilee. They take nothing for their journey. No fundraising. No denominational support. No purchasing of property or building of buildings. They literally take what they have on their backs and go. When they arrive at their destination, they pay attention to how they are received. If they are not received well or the gospel is rejected, they move on. If they are received, they stay and minister. By faith, they preach. By faith, they pray. By faith, they cast out demons and heal the sick. And God provides miraculously for them along the way.
Many call the way of Jesus unrealistic. It doesn’t fit our cultural context. We have needs that must be met. Plans that must be made. Strategies that must be developed. Vision that must be cast. I think God chuckles at our futile efforts. Dick Halverson, long-time chaplain for the US Senate, once remarked, “In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centering on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became an institution. Next it moved to Europe where it became a culture, and, finally, it moved to America where it became an enterprise.” Sadly, his words still ring true. Why is the church struggling in America? Why are we losing the cultural battle? Why are so many people leaving the church? Because we refuse to listen to Jesus. We refuse to align our ways to His ways. Our hearts with His heart.
A friend of mine asked me the other day, “Why is the church failing?” “It’s not”, I replied. Look around the world. The church is exploding in Africa and Latin America and Asia. It’s growing in the Global South and the Far East. It’s thriving under persecution. It’s multiplying under political and social oppression. It’s tearing down the gates of hell in all sorts of places. “Why not here then?” He asked. Great question. The answer is simple. We will not follow the Jesus Way. We continue to abandon the Jesus Truth. So we cannot expect to receive the Jesus Life. The church in America must repent of her sinful obsession with corporate success and instead humble herself at the feet of Her Lord, letting Him guide and direct our steps.
Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 14, Mark 6:30-56, Psalms 40:1-10, Proverbs 10:11-12