I have been very grateful for the amount of genuine thoughtful feedback through both posts and emails that has come out of this most recent discussion about Seekers, Wanderers, Adventurers, Belonging and Believing. One stream of conversation (more in emails than posts) has been about trying desperately to be connected and committed to a church that is far less than perfect. What do we do when the worship is dry, the congregation cold, the programs dreary and the sermon dull? We’re not talking about heresy or abuse or dysfunction, but churches that are just less than what we’d like, once had or even genuinely need.
I have had friends with advanced degrees struggle honestly to find a church that speaks to their minds in blue-collar towns. I have had friends from deeply connected small town churches get lost in the Christian Mega-Malls of suburban “worship centers”. I have had numerous young adult friends come out of vibrant campus ministries or para-church ministries where they were as likely to go rock-climbing or attend a Christian “Rave” as a Bible study, feel absolutely stifled when asked to turn in their hymnals to hymn #467 (and we’ll sing all 15 verses today!)
Even worse, what if the preacher really isn’t very good? What if the well-meaning soul that climbs into the pulpit is better at putting you to sleep then Nyquil with a beer chaser?
Well, here is a challenge from an unlikely source.
In the Institutes of Christian Religion 4.3.1 John Calvin writes about the great spiritual blessings of having a “puny man” preacher. (And believe me; I have seen some puny women, too!)
This is the best and most useful exercise in humility when (God) accustoms us to obey his Word, even though it be preached through men like us and sometimes even by those of lower worth than we. If he spoke from heaven, it would not be surprising if his sacred oracles were to be reverently received without delay by the ears and minds of all. For who would not dread the presence of his power? Who would not be stricken down at the sight of such majesty? Who would not be confounded at such boundless splendor? But when a puny man risen from the dust speaks in God’s name, at this point we best evidence our piety and obedience toward God if we show ourselves teachable to his minister, although he excels us in nothing. It was for this reason that he hid the treasure of his heavenly wisdom in weak and earthen vessels (2 Cor 4:7) in order to prove how more surely we should esteem it.
So getteth thee to a bad church and listeneth to a dull sermon for obedience to Christ alone and ye shall demonstrate your devotion to the God who uses such puny folk as we.
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