Friends,

How did we end up here?

Many of us are asking that question about the Church right now.

We’re looking out across our nation and seeing a rising expression of our religion that while claiming to be of Jesus often seems antithetical to him. We too often see a Church that reminds us that equity is still elusive, that all people are not fully seen, that justice to many is still delayed.

Given this, I find myself asking a question that I like to ask of similarly frustrated followers of Jesus: “Is Christianity helpful anymore?”

Not is it true or real or provable or noble—but is it helpful?
Is its net effect on humanity redemptive?
Is it marked mostly by love or by something else?

As we seek to be agents of compassion in the world, is claiming this faith now a liability to authentic relationships because of the unscalable barrier it represents? Is the name Christian now so inextricably entwined with misogyny, bigotry, and phobia that it cannot be untangled? The answers don’t seem encouraging.

I’d love to hear what you’re feeling about the future of organized Christianity and your place in it by answering a few short questions:

How confident are you that a more progressive/moderate Christianity will prevail here?

Honestly, I don’t know if organized Christianity, on balance, is helpful anymore. What I do know is that the compassionate heart of Jesus I find in the stories told about him is helpful—and urgently needed. I want to stand with the empathetic souls, no matter where they come from and what they call themselves and who they declare God to be, because that is the most pressing need I see in the world.

When I leave this place, I’m not very interested that anyone declares me appropriately religious or properly Christian. I’d rather have them say that to the marginalized and alone and hurting and invisible; to the weary, wounded, tired people around me in this life—I was helpful.

Be encouraged.
John