Positive church..?

In my post 'the people known as christians' I tried to set out both the good and the bad of christians, to try and step away from:

• an idealised view that we will do church any better than anyone else;
• a blind view that all will be well and we have no flaws; but instead
• a realistic view that christians and church have amazing wonderful life giving and transforming moments that are also part of our story. 

There has been some conversation in the comments about whether i over compensated my own positive nature and profession that I think that the church of Jesus continues to be the best hope of the world. 

Rupert, asked two great questions that I would like to throw open and would love to hear what you think:

1. what makes you/us christians different to people who aren't following Jesus?
2. what do we have to offer [and do offer] our society/communities?

Let's share some positive stories together - how has your faith changed you? Helped you help others?  Let's also be realistic - where do you feel challenged by your faith?

Comments

[Rupert Ward]

Well - we now have positive church and deep church ... perhaps also generous church, screwed up church, abusive church, missional, institutional church ...

It could go on for ever :-)

Here's one i have been thinking about (in response to number 1): we do get relationships wrong, but we also know how to say sorry, how to forgive, how to let go of grievances and hurts. We know we hurt others, and are generally willing to sort it out. We know we misunderstand each other, but often are good at listening at a deeper level to really try to understand what the other person is saying.

We (often) don't just walk away from difficult relationships, but do try to follow the teachings of Jesus and bring restoration. In my experience that is very different from many people who don't follow the teachings of Jesus, especially forgiveness when someone has offended or hurt you.

This is something i have certainly tried to walk in these last few years, and it has made a huge difference to the way i relate to people.

Thanks for posting my questions Paul ... i will be fascinated what others say.

[David]

I know for me, after what we've been through, I've been very conscientious of trying to stay positive toward our former church. I haven't always succeeded and I know that God wants to still do some healing, but at least I'm aware, and by His grace, move forward, and even still keep some relationships intact. I'm confident that will all happen.

And we left on great terms. I can only imagine how hard it is when true conflict and bad splits and rifts happen...

May we live out the truth that we are all one, and we really are all on the same side.

I may have my criticisms of the 'modern' church, but may that also not let me cause that to create rifts that don't have to be there....

Shalom

[Paul]

yes so true Rupert, i am gonna throw my hat into the ring with one more, which is cruciform church, as my next post, cos that is something i am reading a lot about at the mo and i think helps balance both the glory and and the suffering of the church life.

I think to answer your Q on what makes us different i would say that first of all that I think there are people who are much nicer, kinder, lovilier etc who aren't christians. Then again i am sure these folks aren't perfect too, but i don't wanna say if you are in church you are necesarily that different.

That said i think their are some differences for me and in my experience:

1. Individualism - i find the church as a reflection of the trinity somewhere i can be who i am and yet where i am called to use who i am to help other people. It's a place to practice serving, loving, caring and being honest with each other. To share life, to affirm the good and to help each other with the bad. It is a place where i get to learn about how often i am self focussed and how i become other focussed.

2. Linked to that i would say that church can act as an agency of an alternative way of being - it offers an alt challenge that life is not just about my happiness or our happiness colelctively. That we are the body of Christ so therefore like our Lord we will know happiness but also learn what it is to be a servant, to do things out of love that is about giving not getting. So much of my life is focussed on getting and on keeping and church provides that space to start practicing a generous life that is deeper than happiness.

3. apathy - i'm convinced that i would long ago have given up on God, church, my marriage without this alt annoying connection - actually learning to be honest and open with all my crap, in all my difficulties, work, marriage, sexuality, faith has helped me grow and actually care - to learn to care about myself, care about others and want to help. In part its why i bother blogging cos i want that place for people to proces and i want people to help me in my thinking - its too easy just to opt out...

[Paul]

thanks david, yes i think we all need to be open to critique but from the position that we are all on the same side, not that i am bette than you. What do you think?