Another West Hartford kid goes to church

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Zack, who went to high school with Matt Casper, has posted an excellent interview with Casper on his blog, Revolution in Jesusland. Here’s a taste

RIJ: Since the publication of the book, have you spoken in churches at all? And what’s been the response to you as an outsider who still has not become a believer?

MC: Yes, I have. And it’s been a blast. Most people really want to hear what I have to say. I get stopped in the lobby or in the elevator at such events by people thanking me for helping them become better Christians. Far out. It’s like thanking Christopher Reeve for helping you become a better swimmer.

read the rest of the interview

Why people go to church

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Benjamin sent me a link to an interesting commentary yesterday in which the author said:

while it might seem obvious that people choose a church (or synagogue, or mosque) because they agree with its teachings, that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, I’d argue that for most people the beliefs of their church are a small, often insignificant part of why they attend.

They might attend because of the community there. They might attend because the church, like the evangelical congregation I hear advertised on WEHM-FM out of Long Island from time to time, offers free baby-sitting, plus a short service so you can “get home in time for the big game.” They might attend because of a cultural loyalty–and this can be true of Jews or Muslims or even Norwegian Lutherans, whose church might be their last meaningful tie to the grandparents who came over from Northern Europe. They might attend because the music and ritual are powerful.

They might attend a church with offensive sermons because having a pastor whom they disagree with is more interesting than having a pastor who never says anything controversial.

read the whole article

Those of you who attend church: why do you go? How important is it to you whether the church’s beliefs match yours?

Christianity or church is above all a spiritual endeavor

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This is an excerpt from feedback on Jim and Casper Go To Church posted by Christina.

The last chapter in the book asks if ‘this’ (church) is what Jesus would have us doing? This question basically arises out of failure to see value in church due to ignoring the spiritual dimension of it.

There’s another dimension to Christianity, which is spirituality or spiritual life. Christianity or church is above all a spiritual endeavor. Christianity is not reduced to faith, but neither is it reduced to tangible good works for the world to see, thus precluding any need for a church body or group to exist.

For one thing, Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is within us, & that His kingdom is not of this world. Therefore, following Jesus is about more than doing good works of service in the world, even though it includes that. Jesus made it clear that it is highly valuable what is happening inside a person, in the inner heart.

Jesus & the Bible shows the value of the spiritual dimension of life in many, many ways…. (more…)

Thou Pastry Hypocrites

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Nick sent us a link to this article

After growing disillusioned with selecting churches on the basis of Bible teaching and quality of music, Briggens, an independent security guard, developed a formula which factors in the pre-service snacks and beverages, as well as food provided at potlucks and other church functions.

“I started to realize that I set my standards too low, and was settling for mediocrity. I found out there were churches offering Starbucks Coffee and Krispy Kreme donuts. It was a revelation, and my life hasn’t been the same since.”

[...]

Briggens revealed that some churches use bait and switch tactics, luring people in with high-profile brand-name pastries and beverages, only to switch to supermarket baked goods and generic coffee at a later date.

“It’s despicable—the same kind of techniques that cults use, luring people in under false pretenses!” Briggens said, shaking his head in disgust. “If Jesus tasted some of that bad coffee, I know He would have tipped over the snack tables and driven some people out with a whip, just like He did with the moneychangers in the temple.”

read the whole article

Passive Aggressive Jesus?

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Does it send the right message to have crucifixes (images of Jesus being crucified) in church? Rachelle doesn’t think so.

as I sat in front of the huge gold crucifix with its weighty, anguished Christ, I had second thoughts about bringing my children to this place. You see, I believe you have to use art to preach. I believe that for a post-modern generation image is often, maybe always, more powerful than words. And this art, this occupied cross, is screaming “YOU stuck me up here and I’m never EVER coming down.”

I don’t want to indoctrinate my children with that kind of passive aggressive Jesus. I don’t want them to bear the incessant guilt, to always see an image of pain crowning their holy space. I don’t think the good news of Christ is that we get to soak in scenes from a Mel Gibson movie for the rest of our lives. I’m pretty sure Jesus never said the good news was, “I’m going to die on the cross and you get to look at that for the rest of your lives.” I’m pretty sure what he said was, “Woo Hoo! The kingdom of God is at hand!”

read the whole article