A New Journey

One of my greatest ministry joys for the last 7 years has been my friendship with media leaders in Uganda and Rwanda. I particularly treasure my friendship with those fascinated by the moral teachings of Jesus, but not yet convinced of His resurrection. For the last several years I’ve written a column for Focus, which I consider Rwanda’s best independent newspaper. I also do a little writing for other publications

I thought some of you may be interested in 2 items. One is the following column that was published this week in Focus in which I argue for giving church a second chance. The second is an editorial by my good friend, Andrew Mwenda in The Independent Andrew argues for the inclusion of Jesus’ moral teaching in dealing with political difficulties facing Uganda.

I hope you will enjoy the reading.

A NEW JOURNEY WITH AN OLD HUNGER

Published in Focus, 15 May 2008

There are some cravings of life that are inescapable. Air. Water. Food. Rest. Shelter. Reproduction. Yet, when our basic needs are met, something still remains. Holy hungers for something more than just the instincts of survival awaken our sleep. By nature we ask the questions. Where am I going? What is the purpose of life? Deep within ourselves we yearn for more in community. Can someone guide me along the way? Can I really disclose all that is inside me? Are you trustworthy? When the world turns against me, what will you do?

Approximately 2,000 years ago Jesus of Nazareth left upon this earth an infant organization made up of the dreams of his 12 protégés. The term they chose brand themselves was “those called out of the world.” They had few financial resources, no title deeds, little influence and power, a fractured network, and a ludicrous belief that Jesus had rose from the dead. Yet, these 12 protégés set in motion a chain of events that have since filled history books. The church was born from their odd beliefs and bold vision.

However, my guess is that if you are like me the history of the church is not your inspiration. Honestly, church has been a horrible disappointment. The bold visions of the 12 protégés seem to have been long forgotten. However, we still hunger for a community of nurture. So we must wrestle with our hunger and disappointment. Maybe, it is time to redefine “church.” She has not behaved like her original brand name of “those called out of the world.”

David Hansen, in his book, The Power of Loving Your Church, accurately diagnoses the problem with the phrase, “a religious organization that call’s itself a church.” Rwanda has suffered more than any nation at the hands of religious organizations that call themselves churches. Some are not fit to be branded “church.” A quick www.amazon.com search with the “Rwanda” brings up the titles such as Genocide in Rwanda: Complicity of the Churches? The Angels have left us: The Rwandan Tragedy and the Churches; and Committed to Conflict: The Destruction of the Church in Rwanda. The only new bit of insight I can offer is Rwanda’s colonial architecture. Have you noticed when you go to the oldest portions of Rwanda’s cities there are three predominant buildings? They are an administrative center, a church, and a prison. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. It’s an architectural testimony of the church’s role in manipulation and control. Her messages have been repeatedly perverted. Forgiveness has been distorted so that that the violent and immoral are not held accountable. Absolute truth has been negotiated so that denial and lies are associated with Christian testimony. Accountability has been distorted as a means for cyclical revenge. If Jesus walked through these religious organizations that call themselves churches today, I believe he would kick over their tables and flog their pseudo-pastors just before he gathered the hungry crowd and gave nourishing words of comfort.

Aside from the worst travesties of religious organizations that call themselves churches is just their simple day be day self absorbed pseudo-service. James Wolfensohn of the World Bank summed it up well when he stated "half the work in education and health in Sub-Saharan Africa is done by the Church, but they don't talk to each other and they don't talk to us". Isolation and denominational protection stifle religious organizations that call themselves churches from becoming “those called out of the world.”

Still the holy hunger for community awakens our sleep. We hunger for a perfect bride to meet our deepest needs of intimacy. When our youthful enthusiasm grows weary we realize the bride called the church is full of imperfections. Cynicism reins in our hearts. Then our nights are awakened. In still moments we recognize that faith creates a fearless pursuit of truth that teaches us paradoxes of justice and forgiveness, transparency and confidentiality, covenant and creativity. Those called out of the world are the perfect communities to grapple with these paradoxes and find hope for a bright new future. Could it be time to give church a second chance?

My good agnostic friend, Andrew Mwenda has a phrase that sums up this dilemma of our holy hungers. He states, “Leaders make things happen, institutions make them last.” Jesus of Nazareth made things happen. How could a carpenter turned itinerant preacher in an off beat Roman province become the most controversial figure in history if he was not a fantastic leader? Yet in order for his reforms to last he needed an institution that fearlessly pursued world influence. It is this vision of world reform that we dare not deny. It is time to give church a second chance.

History will tell us that the people of faith have gathered together since the beginning of time. Frequently, they listened to voices that tickled their ears. In fact, many times a pseudo God spokesman told these confused communities that if they would just follow his magical formula all would be fine. Yet, true spokesmen arose who told them to put aside their foolish day dreams. Prosperity is built by hard work not wishful thinking. Families are established by nurture in community. If we give church a second chance it means settling down to the day by day realities of imperfect communities (Jeremiah 29:4-7).

In this process we build the institutions that serve as markers of community. These institutions range from churches to schools, parks to business centers, and stadiums to shopping malls. What they share is that the community meets there and seeks a better future. Hopeless romantics despise these institutions in their dreams of utopia. After all, the utopian wants a world with no mundane details and encumbrances to perceived freedom. However it is these institutes of brick and mortar that force us to bind together in a common vision. In simplest terms as we work together we become a united people. Without the trappings of the institution our philosophic discussions never are of any practical good. If we give church a second chance it means we build. Who else will take the risks that our community needs? If not those of faith who else will invest in visions without quick returns? Only those who believe today’s drudgery is of eternal significance can selflessly invest in generations not yet born (Ezra and Nehemiah).

After Jesus of Nazareth a new protégé arose. His name was Paul of Tarsus. His vision of those called out of the world was only matched by his work ethic. Every time he entered a city he left a community of faith. He never would have considered the option we moderns have of being a churchless Christian. If you have faith you have community according to Paul.

He made three arguments for the establishment of faith communities. The first was that we can only grow into personal maturity when we live in a community of accountability and nurture. He was a voracious writer. One of his most frequent phrases was “___________ one another.” He wrote, “Love one another, serve one another, submit to one another, etc… Our holy hunger longs for this care. Maybe, it’s time to give church a second chance?

His second argument was that only in a faith community could the life and mating rituals of human beings be solemnized (Ephesians 5:25-32). Pseudo-spirituality fears our sexual nature, but a true faith community celebrates it. Church is actually one of the most erotic environments we humans can find. Only in church do we celebrate and guide the life and mating rituals of humanity from the beginning to the end. Births of new children are dedicated. In adolescent years instructions on sexuality are given. Church youth programs in their basest form simply tries to prevent mating before our community is prepared to handle new life. They teach the value of keeping one’s commitments in this process. Without knowing that other humans are trustworthy all partnerships are doomed. When that time comes we celebrate marriage and the cycle continues. Finally, as life ends church gives meaning to our human life cycles. Can any organization not based on faith do such a marvelous job of guiding our created order? Maybe, it’s time to give church a second chance?

His last argument confronts our deep seeded prejudices. After all we tend to group together with those with whom we share some commonality. Yet, this can lead to perverted communities that are filled with hate. For those called out of the world there is no division based on gender, age, race, or ethnicity. All are welcome and incorporated into community. Maybe, it’s time to give church a second chance?

Are you ready for a new journey with an old hunger? Come run with me.

Dave pastors Christ’s Church in Rwanda in the Gaculiro Caisse Sociale Estate. For more discussion feel free to contact him at christchurchrwanda@gmail.com.