Long Term Christianity

While listening to a sermon given by a highly regarded Christian leader, I heard the term "cathedral mentality." What he referred to was how churches and communities in the Middle Ages planned ahead to build some of the wonderful cathedrals we find scattered about Europe. He said the original planners knew that planting the seeds of oak trees and seeing them get a good start was their part in the plan. They even knew that they would never see the cathedral much less worship in it. However, they were willing to make the commitment for the future generations who would actually see the church built long after they, the planters, were gone. Out of the seeds of this unselfishness came many of the wonderful European cathedrals people marvel at today.

Opposite of cathedral mentality is the mentality of many of us in Christendom today. So convinced of our own immediate needs and the soon return of Christ, we look more for immediate results. Success has become very numbers-driven, and we are near businesslike in our church operations, very aware of the bottom line--souls, members and money. Success isn´t often thought of in a long term

Our ancestors have a lesson to teach us. We cannot hurry God and his kingdom. We too must plant seeds that may well take a long time to grow. We must make plans that we may never finish as we raise spiritual children who are fully capable of finishing what we start. Quality will be our long term measure. It´s time we built a solid foundation of stone even if it is more time consuming.

About the Author:

Steve Graner is a Christian educator and familyman employed by the Minot, ND Public School District. A licensed laypastor, he is passionate about Christian writing and Christian drama. Along with family and friends, Steve has performed numerous self-written dramas and musicals for area church audiences.