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The Question

Posted December 11th, 2008 by Michael Kooiman

Would your life be diminished in the absence of a relationship with Jesus Christ?"  I call this The Question.  It is the question we must ask our congregations as they prepare to open their doors to the community.  It is the question we must ask before we prepare anything in the welcoming realm. 

Some congregations will say 'no' or 'I'm not sure.'  Some will say 'let me think on that one.'  Many congregations are unable to put such a fine point on our purpose.  They want to build community, strengthen relationships, or be good people together.  All are wonderful and worthy aims.  They haven't spent much time pondering The Question.

Some congregations will answer with a resounding 'Yes!'  They realize that Jesus created the church to make disciples.  They understand that the purpose of Christian community is to know Christ and walk in his way.  They understand that loving God and loving neighbour can only happen in the context of a vital relationship with the Gospel.  They understand the path is not easy: that there are many who claim we need to somehow move beyond our affiliation with Jesus.  Resist!

Would your life be diminished in the absence of a relationship with Jesus Christ?  Would mine?  Of course it would!  In the absence of a relationship with Jesus Christ I would have a limited understanding of justice (Matthew 25), compassion (Luke 10), peace (John 14), healing (John 9) and the purpose of the church (John 21).  I would lack the essential core of my faith.  I would be unable to stand with the hungry, the wounded, the anxious, the sick and those needing to be tended.  I would have no purpose. 

I encourage you to try The Question in your congregation.  Allow them to consider the question in terms of worship, outreach, and pastoral care.  Have them practice the question in the neighbourhood.  Given them the vocabulary to answer in the affirmative.

Comments

December 11, 2008 - 6:49pm - NormSeli
NormSeli's picture

The Question

I guess I want to know what a "relationship" is...
Is it enough to recognize that God's vindication of Jesus in the ressurection is a refutation of the authorities - both secular and religious? Power will not will out!
Is it enough to recognize that in Jesus we are shown the truth of God's presence with and love for humanity?

The word "relationship" has implications that I think many find difficult. I don't expect Jesus to walk into the room and make me soup when I am hungry; I don't expect Jesus to defend me when a friend says something unkind; I don't expect Jesus to surprise me on my birthday... My other significant relationships do those things. Jesus reveals to me, God, who does comfort me when I am sick and alone; Jesus proves to me that there is a God who stands with me when I am treatly unjustly; Jesus shows me a God who suprises me, not only on my birthday but everyday.
Is that a relationship?
I'm not sure.
The question that I come back to with my congregation is "Does Jesus matter?" And the answere there is an resounding "yes" (by most).
Maybe our difference is just semantics... maybe there's something more.

December 15, 2008 - 6:10pm - clergychickita

amen, Michael!

Thank you, Michael for this great post -- I agree whole heartedly. I do hear NormSeli's concern, and I confess that I continue to struggle to have a relationship with Jesus in the same way that I have a relationship with God. But I am so much more concerned with congregations who are not centred at all in a relationship with God in Christ. It is no wonder to me that congregations lose energy, lose people, and lose unity when they are bound together by anything less than relationship -- not with each other (or not primarily) but with Christ (however you work that out). As I said from the pulpit a little while back -- there is a continuum of relationship with Jesus. On one end of the spectrum, some folks talk to him throughout their day, feel his presence alongside them, consult him on every decision. On the other end of the spectrum there are those who see Jesus as a past-tense figure that they don't talk to, but whose message and life are what their lives are modeled after. There's lots of room on that spectrum -- but once you take Jesus out of the picture, it's time to accept that it is no longer a Christian walk that you are on. God can be found on other paths, but I'm interested in nurturing folks who are exploring life, meaning and faith on the Christian path. I hope I'm not alone!