We draw imaginary lines habitually, like an addict distracted from what is really happening in front of us because of our internal knee-jerk need to get a fix, we draw lines.
A good example is the Insane Campaign we are doing at The Vine. I sent the support letter to everyone in my email explaining how we are trying to finish a facility to benefit the kingdom of God in the area of Braselton, Georgia. One response I got basically asked me not to send this letter to anyone from “their” church.
A line was drawn because this person didn’t understand and they have good reason to think the people from their church wouldn’t understand why a person from one church would give dollars to another church in America.
Now, that same person or same church has no problem when a missionary to another country asks for dollars to help finish a facility to expand the kingdom of God in that non-North American area. Why the line?
Think about when Paul from the Bible would go on missions, the churches he had started helped support the ones he was now starting, and they all basically would have fit within a geographic location smaller than the United States.
Can you imagine people writing Paul back and saying, “We won’t be supporting this particular venture of yours because it’s relatively close geographically. If you however choose to travel further away, beyond our own country’s border, we would consider helping.”
Lines are stupid. God didn’t put these lines here. Its ridiculous.
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4 comments:
Gregg,
That is the sad truth, but is the truth because we all want our Church to be the best. But truly it should be what is best for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Well Written!
Thanks Jim. I was having a conversation with a pastor friend of mine last night about how 'we don't own anyone.'
sometimes pastors are worried 'their' people will go to another church. but we don't own them and if we truly trust what God is doing in them, we should trust where God is leading them.
on a financial level, sometimes help isn't given because of an internal feeling like you're trading your best player to the other team. why would a team trade one of their best players to another team without getting anything in return?
maybe because we aren't in competition with each other, but with each other we are fighting the same thing.
we just finished up 'oneprayer'... oh it would be so cool if all the churches really could lower defenses and be one... not one location, but one in purpose and love.
Very well written. I just saw this post and could relate. We had similar experiences as well with churches because we are not in the 10/40 window or a selected part of the world that they had chosen to focus on. If only we could remember that there really is ONE body and geography is not primary.
This is a rising issue, and Jesus won't return until we, being the church, rise as one. Denomination, goegraphy, all of these seem to "separate" us. If there is one God and one love, why haven't we all realized that its just about honoring God and bringing him praise. Yes, we may have different ways to go about our worship, messages, and response to God, but the bottom line is that we are all here for God's glory. Lets get over ourselves and the competition of who can have the "coolest church" and reach out to the hurting world that needs Jesus' love. Help build the Kindgdom. Give wherever there is a need. Forget the lines and do what it takes to bring God to other people.
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