So exactly what would Jesus do?

Two thoughts to consider; not aligned but obliquely related. Please note, that if the points in this article share any resemblance to personal behavior or situations with which you are familiar, it is purely coincidental. But feel free to share it if you're afraid to talk to that person or group about it.

First, why does one leave a church? I suppose when it comes down to it, there are many reasons:

• Environmental (too dark, too loud, don't like the music, too long)
• Theological (too much topical preaching, inaccurate interpretation of scripture)
• Social (not connecting with the community, too many cliques, judgmental culture)
• Cultural (too focused on attraction and not enough on the building up of the body, too charismatic, not charismatic enough, too emotional, not balanced)
• Personal (He/she did/didn't do/not do something).

Have I left out any? Of course I have. The churches across America (and I suppose the world – but here in the US, we are particularly keen on our own selfish desire for a church where we "fit.") are filled with people who have left other churches, or will eventually leave the church they are attending. We all carry the baggage from one church to the next, piling it on top of our spiritual experience and attempting to maintain a relationship with Christ while we juggle the load and attempt to unpack the baggage so we can move on. (Have you ever wondered how that looks to an nonbeliever?).

Lifers are the exception to the rule. Church lifers will stay at a church, believing that they will either make a difference in that church (despite all evidence and experience to the contrary), or that they will outlast whatever leadership or cultural shift has occurred or is occurring. They just have to endure, because it's their church.

Ultimately, the only reason people ever leave a church is because of the leadership – including pastors, teachers, elders, deacons – or whatever post-modern leadership structure the executive management of the church has decided to setup. Leaders create the culture, make the decisions, and affect the relationship their congregation has with them is so many ways. It's unavoidable.

Even Jesus did not tolerate the leadership of the Jewish church (let's not assume that the church of Jesus' day was the same as ours – it was strictly Jewish). The Pharisees had their own ideas of morality, religiosity and faith – and expected their followers to adhere to that vision. There was no room for an individual relationship and support of that personal relationship from the leadership.

It's not so different in many churches today. Would Jesus tolerate the behavior and attitude of your church leadership (or you, if you're a church leader reading this?). It is an inescapable fact that the culture of a church is an expression of its pastor, pastoral staff and in some instances, its congregational leadership. It's leadership that influences the factors in the list at the beginning of this article.

Second, why do we think that other people are validated in their faith, only if they are serving in a manner we judge to be worthy?

Some will claim they must serve because "Jesus said they must," or that it's out of obedience, or that they are guilty.

We're called to serve out of love. Not love of serving, but love for God through Christ. We should obey because we love, not obey to prove our love. A legalistic, law-driven approach to service (I scored points today because I served!) is completely contrary to grace – expressed in a relationship where I love and serve as an expression of that relationship with Christ and love for Christ. It's the truest form of worship – our spiritual service – because I am responding to who God is and what he's done in my life through Jesus Christ.

Some people love to serve in ways that affect individuals on a one-to-one basis. Others choose to serve in ways that have greater impact that is just as valid. The key is, not everybody serves in the same way, and not every individual is gifted for every service opportunity, and that's OK. Don't forget, we are one body, made up of many parts.

If church leadership neglects to encourage people to serve outside of the church and its chosen programs, then the leadership (and the congregation) have completely missed the point of the gospel. We are to be salt and light in the world. There are many organizations that provide opportunities to serve, but since we can't get past the fact that they aren't called ministries, we don't consider them valid. In fact, I think Jesus would say "You know, the gospel is just part of the story. There's a lot of history about my Father and his love for humanity, his relationship with Israel, the glory of creation, the beauty of relationship. If you're only concerned with sharing the gospel, you're missing the point. I want you to be an ambassador for me wherever you go, wherever you serve. Represent me. While you're at it, mention that I came to reconcile people to myself, and you want to share this message of reconciliation." (2 Cor 5:17-20).

If a church's leadership does not value the service of an individual, and by extension the members of its congregation – especially if the service is outside of the officially endorsed church service opportunities – then the congregation will carry that same attitude in their relationships with others in the faith. This is how Pharisees are created.

Church leaders have a solemn obligation to create a culture where service flows from relationship with the Savior; from grace and not guilt. Equipping your congregation to serve and be examples of service means that you will embrace and encourage opportunities for service – especially outside of your church.

Church leaders need to recognize and support those who take personal risk and initiative to volunteer for leadership positions. Do not fail by assuming that you as a pastor are the only one who knows how to be a leader. Don't play favorites, and don't set your congregation up for failure.

Don't make Pharisees. Teach people to be ambassadors. Then, by God's grace, they will make disciples.

When the Church is the center of the universe

In the 16th and 17th century, both Copernicus and Galileo asserted that the earth moved around the sun.  Of course, the church's opinion that the sun revolved around the earth contradicted the scientific facts, and Galileo was placed under house arrest and forbidden to publish any of his research ever again.

Such a historical story serves as a historical and contemporary metaphor as well; namely that the center of the universe is not the earth, but to many, it is the Church.  (of course it really should be Christ, but we all know what it's like to argue with the church at times).

I've touched on this theme previously, that unless our passion and interests are the same as the Church's they don't seem to matter. Yet if the Church were to realize that there is a place of balance, a place where it is as interested in my life as I am in its life, a wonderful balance occurs.

Our individual calling and service may touch upon the programs and mission of our local congregations, but – here's the part the Church as a whole seems to miss – our individual callings most likely will include other interests outside of the Church.

Even our Christ-related activities are church-centered: if someone from the Church wants to meet with us, often they call us to them; we serve in the Church, at the Church, for the Church. For all that time we spend serving, little time is given from the Church to the relationships we need to form in order to belong, to find community – sadly in the context of serving. How well do we know each other, even when we serve together? How well do those who pastor and shepherd the body of Christ really know the members?  To know the people one must get outside the confines of the Church, spend time equipping and knowing and speaking with.  Consider that Jesus spent more time outside of the synagogue than in it.  If you're a pastor – when was the last time you visited any of those who are closely aligned with your ministry either at their home or in their business?

How ironic that in my profession, I can confidently say I belong to and am a member of the business community – but in the Church the same sense of community does not often exist. (especially not in the way Bonhoeffer thought of community) (Boenhoeffer's Life Together)

Community comes from spending time together, getting to know one another in order to share common interests, common passions, common service. It comes from praying together, being authentic with each other, even from disagreeing with each other. We are the people who share the passion for the cause – people who are flawed, who are busy, who are the center of their own lives, no matter how much evidence there is that the earth revolves around the sun.

If we don't feel like we belong, we aren't going to feel like we want to give, to serve, to love.  There is a give and take that must occur – If the Church were to show more interest in its people, they in return will show more interest in the cause.

Equipping the saints: Be ready for today

Have you ever thought to yourself, "I need to be ready for tomorrow," or "I know that God is preparing me today for the future."

But what about today?  All of the experiences, the insights, the wisdom and knowledge you have right now has prepared you for... today.

I remember long conversations with people who are so concerned with discerning God's will for their future, that they miss what He has allowed in their lives that has equipped them to be who they are, and where they are.  They are oblivious of the moment, of the day.

I've talked with people who are so paralyzed by indecision because they fear choosing the wrong path.  If it's the wrong path, then God will make that clear to you as well… and guide you to where He wants you through the decision you made.

Don't be afraid to choose.  Often our faith is proven by the choices we make, and being aware that who we are today is by God's design.

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