Control Issues

Some thoughts inspired by "The McDonaldization of the Church" by John Drane:

We have some control issues in the church. Let's just get that out on the table...'fess up. We care an awful lot about numbers. There is only so much Christian market to share amongst ourselves and we do our best to increase our slice of the church hoppin' crowd.

We each would love to copyright our own "Statement of Belief." We'd like to engrave it on two big, bronze plaques. We'd like to include some of the words from Revelation 22:18—"If anyone takes away from this [monument to our rationalism] God will take away from his share in the tree of life!" We want to make sure everybody is teaching the right theological stuff. We wince to think that people might be going around calling themselves Christians and not acting or dressing or talking like we do.

We try to stay separate from other church groups unless they're very similar to us. It's kind of like the whole interracial dating thing. We know we shouldn't have a problem with it, but still...what would people think? How will the kids adjust? Won't we just cause more problems for ourselves than we really need?

We would like to patent our own version of "spiritual maturity." That way, no one can have a totally different experience of walking with Christ and claim to be mature like we are.

We would like to be in control, but...this may come as a shock...we're not! And we won't be. In fact, we shouldn't even want that control.

We have some control issues.

Comments

[will]

Do we ever. But in thinking through the Parables, Jesus used these universal metaphors - a field, a vineyard. In other words, God is at work everywhere, whether we see it or not.

[Patrick]

Wow... tough thoughts, Bill - yeah, "We would like to patent our own version of "spiritual maturity"." Isn't that the truth! I notice that so often in my own life, how really selfish I am... Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner! is a constant prayer for me!