Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi

I long for…

Religious July 3rd, 2008

A confession: I have been dissatisfied lately. Not with work, or family, or anything else specifically, just a general, unfocused dissatisfaction. It isn’t anyone’s fault and it isn’t based on any particular problem, except perhaps that I have a LOT to do these days and - although I stay very busy - I don’t feel like I’m getting very far on much of it. So yesterday I spent some concerted time on a document called “I long for….”

The idea is this: I tend to notice that when I’m dissatisfied with life it’s often a result of my desires and my realities not overlapping enough. My realities have been pretty clear lately; my desires have not. So I decided to put the desires down on paper. It’s a draft, but I think this is going to be the general outline of my preaching this fall.

(Shirley, and maybe Matt… I think you are probably the only Dunningville-ites that regularly read this, so you’ll be ahead of the learning curve in September!)

The first part is a statement of what I long for. The second part is something of a commentary on it. I’d appreciate any insights any of you would have to offer. You can post them as comments or e-mail me directly at teejtc (at) gmail (dot) com — of course, (at)=@ and (dot)=.

I long for….

…a community of equals

equally seeking community

in a world of inequality

each using his or her gifts, skills, and resources

…to feed the hungry and clothe the naked,

…to protect the used, the misused, and the abused,

…to develop one another into more faithful followers of Christ, and

…to seek God’s glory through thought, word, and deed.

What does that mean?

I long for…

Deep inside I want, perhaps even need, this.

It is something that lies at the core of what I believe the Christian faith ought to be.

It is fundamental to the biblical understanding of Christianity and without it there is something essential missing.

A community of equals

The fellowship of believers is one of equality… equality among young and old… equality among rich and poor… equality among black and white… etc.

Leadership in the church does not threaten this equality, it is given to those whose gifts and skills can use it for betterment of all.

equally seeking community

Unlike any other community, Christian community is to be equally sought by all believers.

Unlike other relationships no individual is singularly responsible to plan events, to meet needs, to counsel the down-trodden or to care for the needy.

in a world of inequality

While the world determines worth and importance according to a variety of factors (wealth, influence, color, etc.) we will not.

each using his or her gifts, skills and resources

Every individual has particular gifts to use in the furtherance of God’s kingdom – things God has given us special predisposition toward.

Every individual has particular skills to use in the furtherance of God’s kingdom – abilities (sometimes related to gifts, sometimes not) that we have developed through practice and education.

Every individual has particular resources to use in the furtherance of God’s kingdom, whether time, finances, or something else. We all have unique and usable resources given to us generously to use generously.

Gifts, skills and resources change over time and according the needs of the community.

…to feed the hungry and clothe the naked,

If the community has any resources at its disposal they must first be used to ensure the basic necessities for all people (both inside and outside the community).

…to protect the used, the misused, and the abused,

Christians must fundamentally seek the wellbeing and protection of all people.

This especially refers to those who cannot protect themselves whether because of income, disability, race, or status.

…to develop one another into more faithful followers of Christ, and

There is no such thing as a faithful Christian community where young and old, rich and poor, black and white, etc. do not together develop into more faithful followers of Christ.

There is inherent value in facilitating diversity in Christian community.

…to seek God’s glory through thought, word, and deed.