Christ and Culture

If you have not yet had the opportunity, I would strongly suggest picking up Niebuhr’s, Christ in Culture. The work seeks to address the role of Christian within secular society.  This has always been a foundational question within the church (see I Peter), but finds particular resonance within the current American landscape.  Questions of morality and inalienable rights are nothing new, but for the first time, Americans and American-Christians are being asked to explain the definition of marriage and family.  How is the church to respond?

Niebuhr's introduction may be a little drawn out, but he rightly takes the time to not only address the complexity and necessity of culture, but also the complex understanding that surrounds the interpretation of what is meant by being a “Christian.”  All too often, the church and secular society jump into the great debate with the assumption that the terms are pre-defined and unanimous.  Nothing could be further from the truth, as Niebuhr rightly reveals.  Living here in "Christian" Lancaster county, I am amazed at the different definitions Christians give themselves in the local daily paper.  Truly the term "Christian" means many different things to many different people, even within the faith.  
   
I would like to echo the challenge of Niebuhr, that which calls the world, not just the Church, to reassess what is meant by the term “Christian.”  The Church has always been a varied and diverse group.  Such is not inherently evil or wrong, but it does complicate our ability to work toward a common good, and to a greater extent distorts and detracts from the message and mission of Christ in the world.  I fear that the problem of the world and church today is not simply their response to Christ and culture, but more importantly, their lack of care or concern for the very nature and work of Christ.  All assume to know who He was, what He taught, and what the appropriate response of the individual believer should be, but we don’t.  Even among those with an Orthodox belief differ in what they believe the consequences of such should be.  In short, we not only need to define “Christ,” but also “Church” and “Christian” before we can begin a proper treatment toward the right relationship between Christ and culture.

In other words: Christians and pastors need to spend more time working out their theology before they take to the streets in an effort to convert the masses.  I fear that our present condition is not "Christ in Culture," but "Culture in Christ."  We look more like the world than the One who has come to call us out of it.

Easter - He Left the Tomb and Preched

Once again, the church’s annual Easter Eggstravaganza was an incredible success!  Not only was the weather absolutely perfect, but the entire church came out to serve the hundreds of people who attended. 

We learned after our first years of ministry in Queens that the culture here is nothing like the culture of PA.  A great event or service project, no matter how meaningful, simply does not persuade people to come and visit a new church.  Additionally, religious holidays in NYC only affect the “already religious.”  There is no common spiritual conviction that leads people to pay tribute to God, but only a secular desire to be with family and enjoy the day off.  What this means for our young church is that Easter is one of the least attended Sundays, as members go to be with their families or vacation.
To accommodate for this cultural particular, we gear our outreaches not only to be attractional, but primarily ministerial.  Since we cannot expect people to come to church, we, instead, take the church to them.  Each aspect becomes an intentional means of communicating the Gospel and inviting people to respond or ask questions.  For example, each Easter egg not only had a piece of candy inside, but also a short explanation of John 3:16.  The crafts were illustrations of the cross and/or empty tomb, and every food and refreshment came with an invitation to and explanation of our church.  Of course, there were also “Story Time” areas where church members shared the truth of Jesus and “roaming evangelists” witnessing to our guests.  The day was full of testimonies, new contacts, and even some new believers!

But the real story is the work of the Spirit taking place through incredible people God has given us the privilege to pastor.  They are the one who made planned, coordinated, prayer-walked, invited, and staffed the event.  Their changed lives were what gave credibility to the stories and Bible verses they shared.  There is a real work of the Holy Spirit taking place each week in Forest Hills.  Every worship service is a passionate pursuit for His holiness and power.  We don’t swing from the rafters, but we do worship with reckless desperation and anticipation while people come to know Jesus. 

Seven Baptized

FHCC’s latest baptism was truly a celebration of how God can transform lives for His glory. Among the participants were an eight year old boy and another young man who, weeks ago, had attempted suicide and been completely without hope. A third man had been running from God for years after his girlfriend and the mother of his daughters accepted Jesus and began praying for him. Her family lost both their grandmother and grandfather in the same week, and this young man finally surrendered his life to the Lord. Seeing how the family handled the situation with such grace and faith, another aunt also committed her life to Jesus and joined in water baptism. The week ended with great joy for them!