BOOK REVIEW - "IS THE CHURCH STILL RELEVANT?" BY JODY BURKEEN

 

Can a person live a strong Christian life without the Church? Or does the failures of the Church justify an isolated Christian life without other believers helping?

Pardon for me spoiling the end of the book - In "Is the Church Still Relevant?" author Jody Burkeen says yes. This book traces the church's history from Pentecost, and point out that while the Church has hurt a lot of people and give its parishoners ample reason to withdraw, the Church also has an important place in other people's lives.

In "Already Gone: Why Your Kids Will Quit Church and What You Can Do To Stop It" by Answers in Genesis' Ken Ham, pollist Ken Beemer with  Todd Hillard, the authors make the case that the youth who abandon the church do so for two reasons: Either the Bible is believed irrelevant or the Church is believed irrelevant. Burkeen's book focuses heavily on the latter.

One nice thing about this book is it's a quick, easy read. The text is written in mostly one or two sentence paragraphs, with a very poetic style, and enough repition to drive its points home.

I do have a couple of problems with this book. In the first chapter, Burkeen states that Pentecost included literal fire on each head. Technically, no. Acts 2:3 reads, "Then there appeared to them divided tongues, AS OF FIRE..." This is a minor point, but to me, that weakens his point, and it's weakened early. Another is that it doesn't really deal with repentance: it's more like people leave church because one or more people in the church failed them, with nary a message that the person might have left church because they are engaged in an activity either the Bible or the Church (or both) calls sin.

That being said, this book is an encouraging book. As said, it's a simple read, with short paragraphs. I would recommend it for a person who has been hurt by either an individual believer or by a church. It is written with admonitions both for the person who left church and for the church that wants to bring them back. 

RACIAL RECONCILIATION SUNDAY, 2022

 

I remember a few years ago seeing a calendar for events from the Southern Baptist Convention. Well, let's say I noted them in an on-line calendar I had. That's different from remembering, because I had forgot I did it. That is, until I noted the calendar yesterday.

When I was a member of an Assembly of God church in the '80's, I observed the denomination's weekly magazine declaring each week to have a special designation. Southern Baptists aren't different though to be fair, there might be other groups observing the same days. For example, the third Sunday in January is Sanctity of Life Sunday. In this case, the second Sunday in February is Racial Reconciliation Sunday.

As I changed my profile picture as I do at times, I also look at various frames for that photo. Surely somebody did a frame for Racial Reconciliation Sunday. Anybody? No? You mean I have to create one for next year?

As with any reconciliation, it takes two parties who, as it says in Philippians 2:4, look out not only for their own interests but those of others. In the reference, it appears to be talking about the individual, but it can also apply to your "tribe", whether we're talking skin color, nationality, gender, political party, church denomination, theology, alma mater, sports team, favorite cola, etc. 

Now some people will give a hearty "Amen" when I speak of the need for reconciliation (allow me to be speaking of any form of reconciliation, including but not limited to racial). However, they have a different picture than I do on a couple of issues:

1. They don't think I'm making enough effort, and that I should give at least 100% of my energy to it, though probably more than that.
2. They also disagree with me that they should make ANY effort. 

Do they want reconciliation? Not really. They would rather have power. They want control. They want to dictate the terms of agreement.

Let me state: Racism is real and a bigger problem than most whites are aware of. Some of that is conscious prejudice and some of it is unaware. And Christians are called to speak out against that evil. 

However, is it possible that words like "racism," "sexism," and "homophobia" are used in situations they don't fit and become a form of bullying? 

You may have heard about Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes' prayer to help her hate white people. Could she have a legitimate reason for the anger? Yes. Should we listen and learn? But is this aiding racial reconciliation? Is judging white people because of their skin color any different than us treating people with dark skin as inferior? I doubt it. Us vs. Them never solves the problem.

I've heard people comment that the most segregated places are churches on Sunday morning. Is this an example of racism? Not really. Sometimes it is based on who lives close to a church. Other times, it is people normally feeling more comfortable with people like themselves. The churches I've been in are welcoming of people of different races and nationalities (a former church had Korean, Filipino, and Mexican attenders as well as an African-American) yet are still pre-dominately white. But the key is being willing to welcome anybody.

What are you doing to promote Racial Reconciliation? Are there things we should start doing we currently aren't, or things we are doing that are a hindrance to this goal? How do we keep moving forward to this goal in spite of those who favor power to true reconciliation?

The ERLC (Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission) of the Southern Baptist Convention are strong advocates for Racial Reconciliation. If you are interested in additional resources, click here for a list from the ERLC.