Starving To Death On A Full Stomach--Part 2
I previously wrote about "starving to death on a full stomach"--a concept that I proposed was an apt description of much of the American church. I was and am concerned that some poison is making it impossible to digest the abundance of spiritual food available to us. The resulting condition is a non-growing church in danger of serious health problems. I felt the need to contact several close spiritual friends about this observation and ask them what they thought the poison is. I received several helpful responses and wish to share them with you this mon I heard from both my brother and sister-in-law, Gordy and Ardell Graner, missionaries for the United Methodist Church in Bolivia; Pastor Bob Weniger, a former missionary to Russia for the American Baptist Church and most recently commissioned as pastor of the Bangor, Maine American Baptist Church; Joel Puffe, a middle school biology teacher in Bismarck, ND and active Christian leader, a true seeker of God's will and way; my own pastor, Joseph Huse, a trusted leader, sound teacher, and wise man who has spent much time working in the secular world. The following passages are samples of their responses: Ardell: ....a missionary kid who is our age in Bolivia talked to me about his theory about church growth and status in the U.S. He feels that the churches have dug too deep into our society and seems to accept all that's going on, maybe in order not to offend parishioners, his example in this was materialism. He thinks that the generation after ours is fed up with materialism and sees beyond it and wants the truth from the church involving this issue.................. Are we, as the church reaching out to people right where they are, who they are, or are we telling people that they have to fit into how the church is before they walk through the doors?
Joel: First thought is we do not really love God. We do not love with all our heart. Do we really love anything with all of our heart. We are taught not to................What would my life be like? What would a church group be like if the REALLY loved God and little else?................"Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world-wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself,wanting to appear important--has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from Him. 1 John 2:15, The Message.
Bob: Can the church, or individual Christians starve to death on a full stomach? You bet! A number of years ago the late Keith Green wrote a song that included the words: "How can you be so dead when you've been so well fed? Jesus rose from the grave, and you, you can't even ge out of bed." Piercing words.
I think our passion for entertainment plays a role in this. ( A good book in this regard is "Amusing Ourselves to Death." Entertainment can be good, but even when it is good, it can only be what it is-entertainment.
Helmut Thielicke was a fairly evangelical German theologian until his death several years ago. On a visit to the U.S. once he was asked his impression of the American people. He gave simply a three-word response: "You haven't suffered."
I think what he said about the American people in general can be applied to the church-we haven't suffered. And because of that we are able to keep our religious convictions pretty much on the surface. Thus there is no need to attend a renewal conference because life will go on in a pretty comfortable fashion whether I attend or not.
Pastor Huse: Pastor got right to the point. The poison is "sin." He elaborated by explaining that secular humanism has sadly but successfully placed man on the throne of self worship. In this condition, man need not recognize sin nor the need for change. Renewal isn't important when you're calling your own shots.
Brother Gordy: "You know me. I think it has to do with mammon." Gordy elaborated by talking about the poison of "the love of money." He prophesied a scary scenario. He said that as long as our country remains far richer than most of the rest of the world, we will suffer continued acts of terrorism and continued bouts of apathy.
These answers have all been digested, but I hope I've capture some of the essence of each. Everyone had something thought provoking for me, and I hope for any of you who take the time to read this.
Next month, I hope to share the thoughts of two masters: Dr. Francis Schaeffer and C.S. Lewis. Until then, I'll be waiting to hear from more of you.
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.