The Internet and social media seemingly been flooded by a whole lot of vocal people expressing just how many things they’re against. There’s a culture war going on, and it isn’t just the right versus the left. Society seems divided into all kinds of microcommunities, but issue after issue keeps dividing those micro communities even further. It’s very easy to join the fray – to get drafted into a war we don’t really feel is ours, but in which our emotions have become entangled as if every major trending topic will most certainly determine our fate if we don’t speak up.
The church has often, intentionally or not, been branded as a community of people who are angry and therefore are against everything not church-y. This is especially true when we so vocally voice our protests and gang up to boycott every business that doesn’t look Christian-friendly enough.
I’ve listened to too much lately. From all sides. Some opinions I agree with and others I don’t, but what I’ve concluded is ultimately this: If I’m going to be known or listened to, I want it to be because of what I’m FOR, not what I’m against.
Please don’t misunderstand. There are lots of things that Christ-followers should be ardently against. We should be against injustice, oppression, slavery, inequality, and all kinds of other evils. My fear, though, is that the church is often branded, fairly or not, as the people who are against people.
What God’s Micro Communities Should Be For
The church is seen, fairly or not, as being against gay people, liberals, addicts, and sinners of all kinds. We’re against Target or Starbucks or Hollywood. We’re against pregnant teenagers, rock bands, and anyone who is inked or pierced.
Yes, I realize I’m feeding into some of the stereotypes about the church that certainly don’t apply to all Christians, and with some of these issues we’ve made good progress. But some of this brand has been earned.
