I really hate politics. Even though I teach social policy and have to stay up to date on the current issues, it wears on me to sort through the lies, half truths and semi truths that go on during every political season. But, I am also a veteran of working in large agencies and small ones and the politics are there as well. And, I am guessing you understand where I am coming from, that you have worked in those places where politics are the name of the game.
Sadly, church is the same way and why so many Millenials have left the church or want more. I know a fine minister who had to tell a young teenager they could not go on a mission trip overseas. The child has significant drug issues and it just was not worth the risk. Instead of the parents saying okay, we get it, we will help our child understand this and find ways for our child to serve the church and Christ here at home, the parents (true enablers that they are) have tried to vilify the minister and have actively engaged in the same sorts of acts that our current GOP candidate has used to get his way. Demonize the person, spread mistrust and fear and threaten to “take their money elsewhere”.
Now why would God’s people act this way? I believe it is because they view their life in the church exactly the same way they view their life in society and that both are governed by the same rules. These affluent parents have such a sense of entitlement that they assume the same is true at church. And, frankly, as a mental health expert, I can tell you they are the reason a young teenager has addiction problems. They will not say no. And, church to this type of person is one more thing to check off of the to do list of daily life.
I pray you reading this know that this is not what we are called to, in any community. It cannot be about us, it must be about the greater good. The current state of affairs in our country says that I got mine, you go get yours. We are not our brother’s keeper (or sister). And, now we see it played out every day in church. Christ calls us to the greater good. Take up your cross is not a phrase, it is a way of life for Christians. But what does that mean? Take up your cross?
It means I must die every day. No, not literally but die to what I think is best, to what I want out of life. This is what it means to remember your baptism: buried with Christ, raised to walk in newness of life. So, take up your Cross is to live each day in belief of those baptismal waters and in the hope of the resurrection. If I die, I will be raised. It is a process of resurrection, not a final event.
I wish these parents would learn that they are not doing their child a favor. I pray they will find that the word “no” is important to children. God says it to us quite often. We pray and pray for something and get one of three answers: no, yes, and not now. May we all love hearing no from the Eternal, as painful as that is, because it means the Eternal cares enough about us to tell us no.
TMM