WHAT KIND OF A LIGHT ARE WE?

There is no question the church does not the cultural influence it once held.  If I had any doubt, a recent report from Pew Research confirmed it.  I would have expected millennials to view the church as a non-factor when it comes to social issues. The unfortunate reality is over half of practicing Christians believe the church has lost its influence as well.  In the minds of many we have become salt that has lost its flavor (Matthew 5:13-14).

If you are of the opinion that the church should not be a voice when it comes to social issues you need to spend some time reading Matthew 5-7.  Jesus longest discourse contains numerous references to social issues.  Adultery, divorce, business ethics and care for the homeless and needy are all covered.  After the Beatitudes, which serve as a preface, Jesus calls his disciples to be the “light to the world”

Let there be little doubt, the world knows where the church stands on social issues.  We are against abortion and value life in all forms.  We deplore violence and are in opposition to racism in all forms.  Those opinions are fortified as stand around the coffee pot on Sunday morning, as we reflect on how our country sinks further into moral decline.  The sentiments are further reinforced as we conservative voices on radio talk shows and via social media. I am moved to ask; what kind of light are we?

Millennials have gotten the message.  They know what we stand against, and as a result we are known more for what we are against than for what we stand for.  I fear we have become the flavor-less salt Jesus warned about.  I am left to wonder if we are the “resounding bell and clanging cymbal” Paul warned about in 1 Corinthians 13.  I have to ask, where is the love that Paul reflects on in the rest of that chapter? “Love is patient and kind.  It does not envy or boast.  It is not proud.” (1 Corinthians 13:5).  If we read further we read that love does not dishonor others and keeps no record of wrong.  If we need an example of that love we need look no further than Jesus, who almost seemed drawn to those whose lifestyle ran counter to the law.  I fear we are viewed more as the Pharisees of biblical times, than as Jesus. 

That makes me sad, but it also challenges me to do what I can to change the perception. 

Overcoming The Great Divide

We are a divided country.  I cannot recall a time since the tumultuous sixties when our opinions on the issues are more varied.  Should we build a wall along the border and deport undocumented immigrants?  Should we allow people to use the bathroom of their choice?  Is the “Black Lives Matter” on target, meaning racism still exists in our country?    

There is little doubt that much of the division is rooted in the generation gap.  As a rule, older adults tend to be more conservative and young adults more liberal, but now it is not that simple.  Even among Millennials there tends to be some difference of opinion when it comes to topics like immigration and racism.  White Millennials tend to be less passionate about both issues.  One thing  Millennials hold in common is a low opinion of Donald Trump and most view him as a racist (73%). Beyond that topic things become a little unclear. 

When it comes to the deportation of undocumented immigrants, half of White Millennials (51%) are in favor.  We would expect Hispanic Millennials (18%) to stand against deportation, but Asians (25%) and Blacks (32%) also believe undocumented immigrants should not be deported.  On the issue of racism, Black Millennials have the strongest opinion with 80% agreeing with the “Black Lives Matter” movement.  While other Millennials might share that view, White Millennials are almost split with 54% agreeing it is an issue.  The reality is that even within a generational group we are a country that is very conflicted. 

I recently attended the City of Dallas sponsored vigil for the murdered police officers.  Thousands of people were there and it was a very diverse crowd.  All generations and races were present, and while the speakers provided an obvious Christian perspective other faiths were represented.  I saw a couple of Buddhist monks and at one point a group of Sheik men stood next to me.  Lesson learned: when we stand together and listen to each other we are taking steps toward breaking down the walls that divide us. 

The same theme applies to bridging the divide between older and young adults.  If we, as a Christian community, hope to reach the Millennial generation with the Gospel it must begin by listening to them and seeking to understand them.

Why Can’t We Just Get Along?

I grew up on the eastside of the Detroit.  During my elementary school years we lived close to the city limits but that all changed when the board of education bought all the houses on our block to expand the local school.  Most of our neighbors moved to the suburbs, but my parents made the decision to move in closer to the central city.  I am convinced that was a conscious decision on their part.  When most White people were preparing to flee the city, my parents reinvested in the city.  They lived in that house on Bedford for over forty years.  They remained there through the Riots of 67 and the countless ethnic changes and the economic decline.  Few of the original neighbors were left when my parent's declining health forced them to sell the house and move to a senior community.

How did my parents survive living in that neighborhood through all those transitions?  I would credit that on my dad and his passionate desire to get along with all people.  I can still picture my dad sitting on the front porch greeting anyone who would pass by.  The color of the skin or the clothes they wore made no difference.  He enjoyed talking with anyone about anything.  As a result, as my parent’s health declined their neighbors embraced and took care of them.  I honestly never worried about my parent’s safety in spite of the fact that they lived in a neighborhood where crime was an issue. 

I thought of my dad and his, “why can’t we all just get along attitude,” this weekend in the wake of the murder of five policemen here in Dallas.  Let me also say that Dallas is wonderful city, and for the tensions between police and the minority communities are low.  The downtown Dallas is vibrant and alive and I have always considered it safe.  Yet even in the midst of even a healthy community hatred can develop.  Hatred when it is allowed to fester can lead to violence. 

I am not saying that we could have prevented Micah Johnson from going on a shooting rampaged that targeted police officers.  I do believe that treating all people we meet with respect can make a difference.  Whether they live in a gated community in North Dallas or under a bridge downtown, each person is a unique child of God.  Only when we strive to love, respect and “Be Jesus” in the lives of the people we meet,” will we begin to see a change.  

Accept and Move On

We recently celebrated the anniversary of the birth of our great country.  The Fourth of July always provides time to reflect on our nation’s heritage and celebrate the freedom that we have.  It is also a time for reflection and perhaps to consider our present situation.  In light of the present political climate and what is perceived by many as a shift away from the values we cherish as Christian. I have also heard a lot of fear about the future of our nation. 

While I share some of the concerns, especially when it comes to the presumptive candidates to be our next leader, I also have to consider what it means to be a disciple of Jesus at such a time as this.  While I might struggle with the positions of our president, both current and future, I also need to consider the statutes on which our country was founded.  We have always been a nation built on freedom and diversity.  That comes with being a country made up of immigrants who bring various backgrounds, customs and even religious beliefs.  In this present time we might also add sexual values and orientation to the list of things that make us different as a population. 

I would like to propose that we might want to revive the WWJD campaign.  As Jesus disciples I believe we need to ponder on what would Jesus do given our circumstances?  In the process we might even discover some parallels.  Jesus lived in a political climate that reflected values that were different from what he had been taught.  He also taught and lived a lifestyle that ran counter to what the traditional Jewish leaders expected.  What does this mean?

What other people say and do does not affect who I am.  We are called to be in the world but not of the world.

We cannot stop teaching and living out what we believe are God’s desires for his creation. 

We need to love the broken and lost.  Without a relationship with them, they will never have the opportunity to see Jesus in us.

I believe we need to accept the realities of our present culture and move on in attempting to reach them with the Good News of the gospel.