In the previous post I referred to my process of repenting from religion for the last several years. Some people call it 'deconstruction', but repentance is a pretty accurate description of the process too. I wanted to elaborate a little more on where I started at the beginning of that process (as a product of North American religious culture) and how my paradigm has changed. This isn't an exhaustive list, just a few things that come to mind. Maybe I'll write more in the future.
1. I used to believe the only way to follow God wholeheartedly 100% was to either be a missionary or to be in "full-time ministry" or to "have a ministry" (a paid or fundraising-supported function within a Christian organization, ministry or church). I wouldn't have articulated it that way, and if someone had articulated it to me that way, I wouldn't have intellectually agreed. But deep down, this was my functional paradigm. This belief was affected by Hellenistic dualism and its false dichotomization of sacred from secular.
I now believe the only way to follow God 100% is to be obedient to all His commands and to follow the specific leading of the Holy Spirit in my life. Since God lives in me, missional living and full time ministry are embedded into my everyday life, wherever I may be, whatever I may be doing.
2. I used to believe "worship" happened when the musicians began to play in the "worship service" or when I popped a CD in the CD player, and I sang songs to God, or soaked in His presence. Again, this paradigm was influenced by a separation, in my own worldview, between spiritual activities and mundane ones.
I now see worship as something that arises out of #1 - a lifestyle of obedience and submission to the King of Kings. Worship includes, but is not limited to, music. Instead, worship is a 24/7 offering of your everyday life to God.
3. I used to believe the pinnacle of Christianity, or the goal of Christianity, was to achieve my destiny and accomplish my calling.
I now believe the goal is to love God and to love my neighbor. The two are inseparable because the second is a natural byproduct of the first. When you love someone, you begin to love what they love and value what they value. Part of loving God is adopting His passion and His purpose - to heal and reconcile the nations (ethnos/peoples) to Himself. It has ceased to be about my destiny and it has become about His purpose.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Shedding the layers of Religion
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21 comments:
Very well put, Sarah. Thanks.
Good reminders for us all.
MB
Post of the WEEK!!!
A very thoughtful and provoking post, those three belief statements I will print out and put on the noticeboard. Great stuff - blessings!!!
Sarah, that's incredible. I've never thought about it that way - that this journey can really be described as "repentance from religion". It's so true - it really can.
"I wouldn't have articulated it that way, and if someone had articulated it to me that way, I wouldn't have intellectually agreed. But deep down, this was my functional paradigm."
Exactly. I know exactly what you mean. Had somebody said that my Christianity was very institutional-church-centered I would have disagreed, but only intellectually. It's that intellectual disagreement that conversely makes things hard to explain to people who are still living that way, because on the surface, they agree with every word I'm saying. It's like talking a different language.
Anyway, amazing post. Can I put some of it on my blog? You've put it all so well that I think everybody should read it.
Good thoughts!
Wow this is great. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks, everybody. It's always interesting to me which posts really 'resonate' with others. And, ya, feel free to use any of it on other forums.
Heather, I totally relate to what you shared. :)
I agree with Mork - post of the week!
I linked here and excerpted from you at my place.. I just had to share!
I remember when I first realized all this stuff - it was such a freeing feeling. Like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders and my soul was set free. I love to read about how God works in people's lives. Thanks for sharing.
It's a relief to know that you don't have to try cojole witnessing with people when reaching out to them. All you have to do is love God and love people. God will choose the time and way to speak to that person in your relationship!
It's ironic that all of the bullet points you listed about your revelation is exactly what fulfilling our calling looks like. There's a saying I heard that all you do to fulfull your calling is pursue God and you'll find yourself where you need to be. There's another saying that if your vision doesn't expand beyond your own life, that it's not a God vision. I think this is generally true. Godly legacies point to Jesus and continue on long after the willing vessel has passed from this earth.
I'm so glad that even this blog is used by God to give people more freedom. Your pursuit is impacting people!
You guys are all great exhorters! Thanks for the love...
Sarah, great post indeed. Attaching "deconstruction" to "repentance" lifts the process from an intellectual one to a spiritual pursuit guided by the Holy Spirit. Well said.
In a comment elsewhere, you mentioned that you had begun a simple/house church out of missional relationships. I would love to hear more about that.
Thanks.
ah yes
or instead of saying it has ceased to be about my destiny, i would say:
my destiny = HIM
wonderful truths here that i too am walking into....
Hi Chad, my husband and I went back to school while we lived in Calgary. At the university, we made friends with other 'older' students (late 20s, early 30s). We just began to get involved in the lives of those who reciprocated a desire to cultivate friendship. A couple of people came to know Jesus as a result of that. We used to get together at Starbucks and share what God was doing and speaking to us. We would get together in each other's homes to share meals and pray together. And we also facilitated a foundation-laying study of scripture to cover the basics of living a naturally supernatural life with God through Jesus. It was great fun! Shane and I moved to Japan a few years later. Since we had taught our friends that church is about relationship (and really sought to avoid a co-dependency on ourselves) they had been encouraged to develop relationships with other Christians from a variety of backgrounds/churches. So, while we were sad to go, and have missed these friends ever since, we knew that the Lord would continue to guide them. And He has. So that was my first experience with missional living and simple church. But I was unaware that any movement like this was happening in North America at the time. I was inspired and influenced by some friends in the UK who were moving in the same direction. I learned a lot from their example! :)
Bek, I like your equation. :) And I think that it gets to the heart of what I was trying to communicate. Sometimes, I think there can be narcissistic tendencies when we focus on our gifting, our calling, our destiny. And then, some identity issues as well (where our identity gets anchored in our spiritual gifts or functions instead of anchored in Christ). Ah, well, that's probably another post - or I've probably already posted about that. I can't even remember anymore! :) Btw, good to see you!
I am falling more and more in love with the body as its members work their way through this amazing life we have in Christ. Call it deconstruction or repentance or what have you . . . the heart is a lonely hunter apart from Christ. What grace to be stirred so! BUT our questioning must lead us on! Now that you have tasted and seen . . . what is Abba asking of you?
Aselah, Thanks for commenting! And great question. To try to answer, He is saying "Be still and know that I am God. Be still. Be. Enter My rest (Heb 4), have faith that I will accomplish My purpose both in and through you." It is a season of waiting for His direction, and in the meantime to love Him and to love the one in front of me (that's kind of a constant, no matter what the season). He is imparting His heart of love and mercy. I am continually being stirred by the brokenness and desperation of those who don't yet know Him. But He hasn't said anything specific beyond "love the one in front of you." I'm asking Him how, and He's making the 'how' a part of who I am - a natural desire that arises from His heart (versus a drivenness that arises from my own zeal). I have no idea if that answers your question or not... :P
Sarah,
Thanks for the more info about your missional lifestyle experiences! That's very encouraging to me. (Sorry for not saying so sooner ... been out of range for a bit).
Sarah, I appreciate your response to my comment. Re: Whether or not my question was answered . . . I wasn't looking for a direct answer . . . merely opening a door. Peace
I've just 'stumbled' on this site.
In one sense I've been on this 'out of church' journey for some 40 years.But in another sense the journey began again last year when I read "The Shack".
I can relate to so much that has been written here - it's been a rather lonely journey (that my wife has been unable to share). I have no idea what the next step might be.
I'd like to add to Sarah's third point. I would suggest that the two great commandments sum up the Old Testament but John 13.34-35 takes that so much further: Now I am giving you a new commandment - love one another . Just as I have loved you, so you must love one another. This is how all men will know that you are my disciples, because you have such love for one another. Only when the Holy Spirit is within can it begin to flow out with the same love that Jesus had!
Old Pete, thanks for coming and adding depth to the post! Very nice to have you here. :)
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