Exactly

From Mark Riddle, found through Mike Todd (permalinks not working):

Is it any wonder it's easy for us to lose touch with the gospel when we can't even identify what it means to take up a cross? Christ didn't die so we could have worship services that meet our needs. Christ didn't die so we could be treated with kid gloves like a fickle consumer on sunday mornings. Christ didn't die so we could get something out of bible study or small group. Christ didn't die so the church could be active and busy. The central theme for far too many churches seems to be comfort and customer satisfaction. The central theme for christianity is suffering, the executioner's cross, the blood spilled and body broken of Eucharist, baptism's metaphor of death burial and resurrection.

Comments

[ger]

Hi Darryl, What is said is true but suffering, the cross...etc that was quite the focus of the church for centuries and it had its own set of problems. Balance is hard...people tend to focus on one aspect...which is what heresies are about essentially...focussing on one aspect of truth.. and denying all others. So we need balance...between all the GOOD things.. seeker sensitive services, small groups, cutting edge worship AND the cross, ministry, dying to self, simplicity etc. Historically we are at a point we can see the excesses of the two extremes - on one end...the grim Middle Age focus on the cross, penance (( I am Catholic so I know that well :) ) etc...and the Modern emphasis on grace, joy etc And as in the Wayne Watson Song...its a fine line...we really need God's grace to navigate this fine line between the two extremes. Humanly we tend to veer one way or the other. We are real short of leaders who can listen to the Lord and thus have the wisdom and courage to lead their churches along this fine line between the two extremes. Look forward to your new blog! Blessings ger