Thursday, March 8, 2012

The Tyrany of "What is Needed" for the Church

What is needed for the Church? What does the Church need now? What must we do now to avert the terrible tide of ________?

I hear these sorts of questions all the time. And to be honest, I have learned to pretty much lose interest. It's a horrible question. Why do I say that?

First of all, what the Church needs doesn't change. The Church needs Christ the Crucified for the forgiveness of sins. Simple as that. If Christ is overshadowed, whatever overshadows Him needs to be fixed. There isn't ever anything new the Church needs -- she only needs to return to who she is - the Bride of Christ. The Church is always in need of repentance, of reform, of returning her focus to the Bridegroom and Him alone.

Second, the answer to the question of what is needed doesn't lead to "reform" but rather the creation of new pet projects. And more over, if you don't jump up and down and celebrate this new pet project, you are bad and evil. It's all tyranny, it's all about control, it's all about trying to make people do what you want them to do, your plans, your solutions. And it runs on fear.

Do not fear. Look to Christ. His perfect love casts out fear. He gives growth through forgiveness. He does. Really.

If only we trusted Christ and His Word more than we trust our plans.

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