Driving into Baltimore last night I was struck by what can only be described as potentially heretical thoughts…
Looking at the city from the Jones Falls Expressway, just before it dips under the Howard Street bridge, I was struck by the amount of churches that I saw…
Fresh in my mind were Joel’s comments on Creflo Dollar, and his collection of fine automobiles…
Also fresh in my mind was a comment made by Rick McKinley in Christianity today:
I guarantee there isn’t a homeless person in Portland who couldn’t tell you the gospel verbatim. They’ve had to listen to it three times a day to get a sandwich. They’ve heard about Christ, but they haven’t seen Christ. Who will sit next to them while they panhandle, who will enter their world? I’ve had friends doing that for 15 years. That is seeing the gospel.
Soaking on all this the thought came to me…
The gospel that says that Pastors should be driving expensive cars and wearing thousand dollar suits has not worked for this city…
The gospel that says that having people accept Geeeezus into their hearts is more important for them being cared for by the body of Christ has left us lacking and wanting…
The gospel that says show up to church and give money and you will be ‘blessed’ and rewarded has left this city cynical, skeptical, and disenfranchised…
It has left this city dropping bodies at an alarming rate, and ranking second in the number of AIDS cases in the US…
It is time for a different gospel.
The gospel that Baltimore needs is the Gospel that restores families…
The gospel that Baltimore needs is the Gospel that cares for the poor…
The gospel that Baltimore needs is the Gospel that has us yearning for our creator…
that has us craving authenticity…
that has us recognizing our utter dependence on our God…
that cries out for the move of the Holy Spirit to heal this city…
As we talk about what it will take to heal this city, to restore her to her God-given beauty the church needs to step up. She needs to stop undermining her power by chasing after the world’s standards of success. She needs to call the members of her body together, and begin to hold those members accountable for their actions.
We need to repent.
Repent for years of keeping our head in the sand while the city fell in disrepair.
Repent for putting our own wants in front of the needs of our brothers and sisters.
Repent for seeking the wrong kinds of success.
As we dream about what a church in Baltimore could be, I pray that the Lord will keep us humble. That he will keep us from chasing after the wrong kinds of success, and that he will constantly remind us that our purpose is not to advance our own kingdom, but to advance the Kingdom. That the pursuit of our creator will be our first priority, and that everything else will take a back seat to that pursuit, so that anything and everything that we do is an overflow of that pursuit.
I pray that as we dive headlong into this pursuit that we will be granted great wisdom and greater humility; that we are constantly reminded that only He is I AM, and that I am not; that what we do reflects well on our God; that we do not discredit His name or His work; and I pray that what we are striving to do brings healing and restoration to this city.
Father help us bring the Gospel to this city that you love.
Amen.
Filed under: Baltimore, The Garden Community, church, church planting, ministry, reflection, religion, worship
Amen.
I see the beginning of a radical community of Jesus-followers.
oh crap.
Joel and Snoop,
Your blogs are communicating one huge message. The message is so similiar that I so believe God’s Spirit is involved.
The message is repentance.
May we repent and live the Gospel of Christ.
By the way Snoop, your are not heretical in your ideas…just an anachanist. Not to worry, I am one too.
Scott, you are going to ruin my reputation!
You should move to Baltimore.
I be a prayin for that.
Name it and claim it, baby!
What church do you attend? I am looking for an authentic Christian church in Baltimore. Help!