While I knew how to do church according to the programs that the church established, I did not know how to do that well.
I discovered that this shared life was what I longed for. In all of the sermons I heard, the Bible studies I attended, outreach programs I’d participated in, etc. etc., there was the longing to share life in this way, a way where we were living in the unity of the Spirit as shaped by the prayer of Jesus in John 17.
I had to work through my anger and frustration. I did not squelch it. I had friends who prayed with me, and the Spirit brought me healing. And on this journey, I refrained from jumping to the conclusion that God is done with the church as we know it, although I’ve been around a lot of people who have come to this conclusion.
It seems to me that many have remained in this state of anger with the traditional church. They base their perspective more on what they are against than what they are for. They are against programs. They are against church buildings. They are against clergy. At times, I joined in this, but for some reason, I could not remain in this anti-church point of view.
It’s time to move beyond our anger and hurt. It’s time to move beyond what we are against. I believe we can still create space to allow the Spirit to reshape the church in new ways without having to hold on to that anger. And we don’t have to be afraid of the fact that traditional forms of church life will remain intact.
