Outside the Walls

My sense is that the institutional church's current conflict and paralysis are largely a result of fear/grief from mainline Protestant religion's perceived decline in influence. As our global culture gives more credence to a plethora of competing claims, honest inquiry asks deeper questions, and we’re not all prepared for that kind of digging.

Instead of settling for dogma, belief, and adherence, people want to see and participate in a living of the gospel that is in-the-flesh.  This incarnational living creates an overwhelming desire to experience God at work outside congregational walls, where worship, by itself, isn't sufficient. 

In such a position (which is really the same old intersection of cross and humanity), the church's task is to thoroughly grieve these losses of influence (imagined or real), and begin to move forward toward the practice of a more genuine gospel that is less beholden to the encumbrances of, not only sanctuary, but also privilege and exclusivity; a gospel that is more focused on the unleashing of divine justice and mercy that are both individual and institutional.

 

Photo by Holly Jenkins Williams

© 2014 Todd Jenkins