The Perfect Church

It's an intersting juxtaposition to realize, made even more conflicting when my role as a pastor comes into play. And while it could seem to set me into a course of do nothing and sit on my hands, it actually motivates me to explore what I believe even further and how I can communicate that better to my students.

Let me explain:

I grew up in a particularly interesting time in history. Technology grew literally overnight just about every day since I was born in 1990, yet I can remember and grew up without the help of so many modern technologies that are so common place today (cell phones, internet, etc.) I was raised when it was still acceptable to spank your own child but was also given a participation trophy for my 5 year old soccer league. (I was so bad, I made myself fall and faked an injury so I wouldn't have to play.) I was a product of a public education system that taught us to respect and value everyone but we knew that right and wrong exists and you only get what you work for.

The same types of ideals were experienced in church. I was raised in Sunday School and got the vast majority of my biblical understanding from that teaching but I can see how that concept and terminology could instantly bore someone. I see the value in creative ways of teaching the gospel, but have seen how it can create a need to be entertained spiritually. I've seen God show up in huge ways outside of a traditional 'church' with pews and stained glass, but I've felt the reverence that fills so many traditional style churches. I've been brought to tears by modern worship songs but have seen Holy Spirit move through 300 year old hymns.

As my favorite Bible professor would always ask us after studying a passage: 'So what?' If we don't evaluate something on how to move forward, it's a waste to talk about.

Admittedly, when we do, passions, emotions, traditions and preferences all swirl together in a liturgical, theological whirlwind. There in lies the beauty! It's a tension that requires constantly being put in check by both sides, always ensuring it maintains its equilibrium.

Will there ever be a perfect solution? Probably not. You'll always have someone who's not happy and prefers you do things the other way. But at the end of the day, the perfect representation of the the Church is Christ followers coming together despite their differences and preferences to commune together in worship of the King.