If Walls Could Scream

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If Walls Could Scream

I just had this image of God speaking to us through the church walls due to how holy we think it is. If the buildings were holy, and the church was where we met the Most High, then my concerns may be conceived on a faulty premise. But we should always be able to trace backward the reason for our personal convictions. So let me pose this challenge as we venture forward: Why do you believe what you believe about "The Church?" There are many, who differ slightly to greatly. Yet, only few seem to truly see it as a building which occasionally houses people worshiping God together. So which is it? Let me propose that your answer to this question may shape your entire practical belief system.

I'm not going to dismiss the fact that church's in the Bible were built with great care and detail. The Temple itself was, geez, let's say intricate at the least. However, the stories in the Old Testament, while true, were partially meant to give us a picture of what God was planning to do spiritually and internally in his future "church"... the people. As in, your heart... or soul... but not a building.

So allow me to paint that picture for a second in case you're starting to think I hate church. I do not. But the way it often functions is not how I believe God intended it. And many of us are guilty for perpetuating the culture of the "holy place." Myself included.

Firstly, even in the old letters, God refers to His people as His Bride. It's quite beautiful actually. "I swore an oath to you" He says. "...I bathed you...", "...anointed you...", "...I clothed you with colorful woven cloth...", "...wrapped you in silk...", "...adorned you with jewelry...", "...beautiful crown on your head." (Ez.16:8-14). It goes on from there. This is God speaking to us in a way. This is a place we can considering "living and active" (Heb.4:12), but also unaffected by time in a sense. God loves his people. In a previous article I told a story about a leader of mine who lost site of his daughter for a moment in the Disney night parade. This was his example of a how a Jealous God feels toward us. (Ex.34:14). It's not like our jealousy that's petty and vengeful. It's a beautifully possessive view toward His children. As a father of 2, this makes perfect sense to me. I am unapologetically crazy protective of my kids. I don't mean overbearing and overprotective like a helicopter parent. I mean if you try to hurt my kids, I could go 'crazy town' on you with a side of 'crazy sauce'. Like the octopus who doesn't eat while guarding their offspring. I think God is more like the meerkat, who injure scorpions and disable their stingers so her young can practice fighting it. We protect, but we also equip. And God is always at work on us in this way.

Anyhow, I digress. This article isn't about parenting, or marriage, it's about how God sees us. There's a reason He uses terms of fierce love and relationship at the deepest levels we know. He's madly in love with us. Imagine the thought of that love becoming lessened or incapable of meeting you when you're not in a physical location. I once thought the moment you cross from buzzed to drunk, Jesus exits the room. I had a friend who thought Jesus would exit your car when you started speeding. Imagine the idiocy of this? But we all have some ridiculous past value we're a tad ashamed of, don't we? Does this sound like the type of God we serve? Incapable or unwilling to meet us wherever we may need Him?

If the walls of our church's held the voice of God, what would He be saying to us? He may not scream at us, but I think He's desperately trying to get our attention to tell us we're missing it. Imagine yourself in a "Small Group" or "Grace Group", or "Bible Study". You like these people. Sorta. You don't know them super well. But it's ok, because you're married, or have kids, or both. You feel closer to one or two, but you never see them outside of this room. They've never been to your house. Never shared a meal at your table. This... is your community. Sure it's meaningful when you're there. You pick books to read or workbooks to discuss. But let's be honest, you're in a Bible Study or Book Club. How often do you just read the Bible together and discuss how you think God is speaking to you personally without other authors guiding God's voice? These people don't know about the things you can't really verbalize to your wife. They don't know you drink too much when your wife is gone for a few hours and you tell her you had one. They don't know you struggle with porn every time you go on a business trip... if not every other night in the basement. They don't know you've been battling depression or an eating disorder for years. Why? You're not doing life together. And practically, you're not going to tell a room full of people, even 6-12, what your darkest places truly look like... and feel like. I used to tell buddies I wanted to see their ugly places. That sounds weird I know, but I was going for shock value. Is it even ok to acknowledge deep feelings like this as a guy? Is it safe to share them? Will we be labelled "needs fixing"? These things happen in intentionally isolated moments and usually one-on-one. You got 2 dude's like that? Cool! Meet as 3. But do it! A good book on being real with each other is Truefaced by John Lynch.

Listen, I'm not here to speak on community per say. Though I will have much to say on that matter in a later article. Let me just say I believe in it strongly. I believe in practical solutions to help others spend time together Mon-Sat. I'll share some of those at another time. Community is the means to be, "do", or "go to" church... with each other, wherever that may be. I love how Joshua walked around Jericho for a week because he believed meeting with God in desperate prayer all around that place would be powerful. It's symbolic, but it was! That wall came tumbling down. If that's not evidence of God's presence outside of the church walls I don't know what is.

What I'm trying to draw attention to is that we've given up trying. And we've done this because elders and pastors have told us to do so... or lacked the care to speak to it all together. My roommates and I used to have a "Beef Night" once a week, though sometimes more like once every other month. We'd eat meat and share "beefs" we had with one another. We'd discuss dishes, clothes, other messes, etc. But on nights one of us would be brave and share a personal offense, I often would finish by saying, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Don't give up on me." Doesn't this sound a bit like church? Confess, pray, encourage, eat, and yes, worship. We would do that as well... just us... and sometimes some improptu invites. That was some of the most powerful communing with God I have ever experienced.

Still, many have bought into this hook, line, and sinker. Often directly telling us to serve... at the church, worship with others... at the church, and be in small groups ("community")... at the church. And if you don't, it is assumed you are not committed to God enough. You're not in community if you aren't in a small group or attending events... at the church. You're not welcome to get more involved at the church if you can't attend Sunday's. You're kids aren't being "raised right" if they aren't in Sunday school every week. If they can't see it, you're assumed to not be in community at all. It's a sin of convenience. You've heard of the sin of complacency? They're closely related. You just don't think you're complacent because of your convenience. I am trying to expose the culture created in the American Church encouraging us to accept this thinking. If we question it, we're labeled rebellious, wounded, and without assistance outside of their involvement. Often not even interested to know of the difference you're making in your neighborhoods and work places. I once had a pastor continually come to my house and call me to "find out" how I was doing and then try to express concern about something... anything. He'd prod and pry to find something wrong because he assumed something was because he hadn't seen me in awhile. It was strange. Remember these are flawed men, like us, who don't have the only direct line to Jesus and God's will for us. We can say no to them. More on that in a minute.

Quick example: Not too long ago I had a guy at my church ask what I desired from our relationship. He's a few years younger than I am, and I was excited to get to know him as a brother. I replied that I just wanted to be his friend. Why this desire is viewed as immature or unteachable is beyond me. Eventually he revealed his belief that "the primary goal of friendship is to sanctify one another." First, God's #1 and #2 commandment are for us to love Him and love our neighbor as ourselves. (Matt. 22:35-40). And as far as what you're "doing" for Him or how you're growing? The Bible went as far to say that how we love each other will be the main way we can help draw others to come to know Him. Wow! That's amazing!

What about personal growth? I was actually looking forward to gleaning some wisdom from him as well as sharing some of my own perspectives from over 2 decades in ministry, 8 of which were as my full time career. I have several older men, including my Dad, who I seek advice from on the regular. Several of which are previous ministry supervisors and probably twice my age. What I'm saying is the assumption that you need one more counselor is arrogant. Sanctification is not the #1 reason we gather. Correcting and challenging are part of it, but it's not the main thing. Not even close. Be ok with just being. You don't need to be all sappy about it... unless you're like me... which is also ok. Just talk. Share. Do it while you're hunting and not looking at each other. I don't care. But do it!

Now what if I told you that guy was my Pastor? Do you have biases that prevent you from finding fault with him? We should check that impulse. We can disagree with people in power. We can even disagree with people we respect and admire.

When Jesus died on the cross, when he breathed that last breath just after forgiving those who hung him and uttered the words "It is finished", a large veil like a thick wall of rug was torn in two from top to bottom. This rug-like door was the barrier of God's presence from the outside world. The priest would go in to repent of the sins on behalf of the people. They'd tie a rope around his leg with bells on it. If it stopped jingling they'd assume the priest was impure, struck down by the presence of God, and then drag him out. I don't know if this ever happened, but the image is powerful. Catch this! When Jesus died on our behalf as the ultimate "Lamb [of God]" sacrifice, the barrier between God's presence and us lowly sinners was made available to all! This is what Martin Luther was most enraged by when he posted the 95 thesis in 1517 rebuking the church. Many of the 95 points whisper the atrocity of church leadership withholding access to the Scriptures from their members to seek God themselves. It wasn't even written in their language. Until Luther did that for them. It's been going on for centuries. The church tells us they are still the only Temple with the only Holy Place. I'm embellishing a little, but this is often how we behave. Some of us know no other way.

Another thing I want to mention is treatment. Jesus said his blood covers a multitude of sins. I like to think this also means, when he was here, a multitude of sins were welcome in his presence... and still are of course. And there's plenty of evidence of this. I'm not saying he approved of them. I'm saying he was able to love the person despite it. Ask yourself honestly, do we do this well? It's ok that we're not Jesus, but the constant squirming to fix someone without loving them "until..." is nothing short of a travesty. Again, our elders and pastors are perpetuating this mentality from the highest level. I sometimes feel the secret message of church to visitors is "Welcome to "name of church", where Jesus saves... and we fix you." I know that's a little harsh, but we need to call a spade a spade. We may give money and feed the poor under the bridge on Sunday afternoons. And that's awesome! But do we open our doors? Sure, a desperate person from time to time gets welcomed in, but a strategic plan of counsel, prayer, and hovering is immediately put into place behind closed doors. They meet about you and coordinate how to get you to look like them. I know this, because I did it. They're committed to the long game. Don't get me wrong. This is loving in a way, if it means walking you out of destructive behavior, but it has strings attached that don't seem to ever get cut no matter how long you pull a Wesley from Princess Bride: "As you wish."

Here's another example: I mentioned in a previous article about a men's conference where a panel of pastors discouraged people struggling with mental health to visit a professional. Instead they said to "seek your pastors". While God calls and equips, there was no qualifying statement about whether these pastors had any education in the various matters they painted with a broad brush. While some scientists deny the existence of a god, many do not. And that's not to say we can't gain help from a big bang theorist with a PhD. in Psychology who genuinely cares about your emotional and mental health. It may help to choose a counselor with your world values. Nothing wrong with that. I did. (I also happen to know insurance often pays for the first few sessions if you need it.) We sought a marriage counselor years ago and she really helped us. I can't imagine being labelled disobedient or not trusting God because we wanted to help our marriage grow stronger. What utter nonsense this is! There aren't enough pastors in the world to adequately provide this level of care to entire congregations. What about a women who might prefer to meet with another woman? I don't doubt that God can equip anyone to be a counselor, but shaming those who seek professionals is in itself shameful. Just because some anti-creator rhetoric sometimes clouds the peer-reviewed academic world, does not mean we choose to live under a rock and never learn to read. This brings me to my last point... I think.

Let's purport for a moment that the church is holy and the only place we are meant to worship together. If that's the case, what do you make of the many times Jesus is referred to as the Head of the Church? (Col.1:18). With that thinking, we would need to seriously question the structure we believe a church should implement. Do you think pastor's were intended to be considered Shepherd's over an entire flock(members)? Sounds like a lot of power to be given to one man who claims to be also following Jesus as his "head". I knew a church who had 3 elders that prayed to Jesus together for His guidance, then they'd make decisions... together. Man, that feels a lot closer to what a Jesus led church should look like... at least inside the walls. Their problem was they didn't give women a voice. So they governed with a strong type A men's view. It was rigid and without much grace. I'm not entirely sure the Bible teaches to have a singular pastor or priest as a head over all. Priesthood, in reference to the post-crucified order of things according to the New Testament, is for all who know Him. (1 Pet.2:9). Therefore, I believe shepherding is a spiritual gift, like many others. I have this gift because God has blessed me with the capacity to care for many people at once. Yes, I'm an extrovert. If you're a shepherd, that doesn't necessarily mean you are called to leadership. But it does mean you're called to care. And it definitely doesn't mean all pastors are called to be your authority.

God is a God of Order, and counsel is good. Great even! Discipleship can be a beautiful thing as well. We need people of all walks of life and ages around us to some degree. It is good to find the kind of security for our children a Sunday daycare can bring. And it is so good and sweet to worship the Lord together with those we are in life together with. But we don't need the church to get this. It happens to be a convenient place to find these things to a degree. But remember, all of these are meant to be fruit of community with Jesus at the hub. What the church has done is effectively created a way to experience the fruit without the tree. I mean a good tree and good fruit of course. This is not an Adam and Eve thing. How interesting that we've found a way to pretend like we all know each other.

May you walk into church the next time with the veil lifted. May you stop playing politics and wearing suburbanite masks. May you hear God screaming at you, "You're missing it!" through the walls when you're getting stuck in a rut of "playing church." Pick someone you like and get close. Hang out outside of the building. Then worship with those few on Sunday morning... or in your home. Invite another couple over for dinner. Let your kids play together. Be 'safe places' for one another to share and feel and talk about Jesus. Guys, I'm talking to you! Sharing your heart with another guy is not feminine. It's brave. Just look at our Vet epidemic of countless soldiers committing suicide from PTSD. You may not have shot a man, but if your heart is heavy, tell somebody. Please.

You know, for years I've wanted to speak on this topic. I had the title "Would Jesus Flip Your Table" in mind. I liked it, but that's in reference to turning our worship place into a storehouse as the old church did when they'd charge family members to buy their passed loved ones out of Purgatory... among other things on the menu. This doesn't have a lick of evidence in Scripture by the way. Can you imagine? Going to church to pay for your spirituality and tickets to Heaven? A very relevant application of this thought could be the buildings themselves. How often does your tithing go to a building project? How about that 80mil dollar stain glass that was just installed? Feeling closer to God when you stare at it? Are we collectively purchasing a giant above ground bunker to keep us locked away from the big bad sinful world? Where were you when you decided God is good and Jesus loves you? Did it matter? Or was it the person you were with who shared it with you right when you were ready to hear it? Consider the Temple I mentioned above. Is it an example of how much gold we're supposed to attain for our architecture? Or is it another pre-cross example of how beautiful he thinks you are and will make you once the veil is torn in your heart? I just wanted to bring attention to how much we value that building. I don't know. You decide. Would Jesus flip your table?

A very practical example of our image driven church's these days is our segregated pews. Thousands of years ago the people thought they could reach Heaven by building a giant tower. It was asinine, but it's a good story. God responded to their selfish behavior by magically giving them all different languages so they couldn't understand each other and would disperse. It's a weird story for sure. In Acts chapter 2 a crazy event happens where all these ghost like "tongue's of fire" come flying in and out of a building where people from every nation were gathering to worship together. All of a sudden everyone could understand each other. I'm paraphrasing, and people have varying beliefs on what this meant, but many believe this was the moment God decided to unite everyone and undo what He did at the tower [of Babel] so many years ago. That's just a little unnecessary story to say we need to reconcile with one another. It's ok that we're different, and even prefer to hang out with people that are more like us. Often this coincides with race, but those days should be moving behind us at a much faster rate than the rest of the world. As Christians we should be leading this charge in a day it's desperately needed. Honestly, I know more black people baring the feeling of being a minority in a white church to further this ideal than I do the other way around. Let's do better here. The world needs to see it. We who serve the same God shouldn't be arguing over how dark Jesus skin was or the color of his eyes. He was a Jewish carpenter. He walked everywhere, and He did a lot of walking! He was probably pretty dark. Let's just get over that and move on. Most of us would probably love to have His tan anyway if we're being honest.

My final evidence of this line of thinking is the example of Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament. Here's a guy who was insanely religious. He so hated the Jesus movement that he began seeking them out and killing them. On one trip, Jesus showed up in a blinding light and essentially read all Paul's mail to prove He was in fact really there and not a mirage from heat exhaustion. This was just after Jesus was crucified and He ascended back up to Heaven. Special appearance just for Paul! Convincing him successfully Jesus was the Savior, Paul (who was Saul) changed his name, and became the most fearless apostle in all the land, enduring beatings constantly for believing Jesus was the Son of God and not shutting up about it. His Jewish contemporaries hated him for this. So Paul eventually wrote a letter to Rome we now know as the book of Romans. In it, he pleads with Jews whom were just accepting Jesus as the Messiah they've been waiting for, that the previous (pre-cross) Law was far inferior to the Law of Grace under a torn veil, accessible Holy Spirit, direct access to God system. Under Grace God judges even our thoughts and intentions. But! Under the saving Grace of Jesus' accomplished work on the cross, every single sin, past, present, and future, is covered. "It is for freedom He set us free." So live free. Allow God to love you as you are. And disallow anyone's words that tells you otherwise.

And that's my boxless view in a nutshell.

James went to KU for Psychology

and is an entrepreneur owning three small businesses;

Two in the wedding industry, and one in custom furniture building.

In addition, James is also a hobbyist

as a musician, voice-over artist, and blogger on the side.

Ultimately, he lives for his family and

making Christ known as the compassionate Savior He is.