The Error of Passive Politics

We find ourselves in a very energized political climate right now. It’s the inescapable topic of conversation just about anywhere you go. As a Lead Pastor I am extremely cautious with addressing political issues from upfront or using BP as a platform for any one person's political views. I am very aware that it would be inappropriate for me to assume that my personal views represent everyone else’s at BridgePointe.  Our church is a community of believers, each with their own political persuasions, views and convictions. I am also aware of the inappropriate usage of religious language and loose interpretations of the Bible used to infer that “God is on our side.” But as individual voters, we must not concede to the error of passive politics and separate our faith from “real life”.

There exists today an awkward tension between protecting religious beliefs and guarding our political and public institutions. Yet, in our culture’s efforts to keep religion from dominating our politics, we have suggested that it’s possible for citizens to somehow “split” their public lives from their private selves. This imposed dichotomy insinuates that one’s faith and religious beliefs are irrelevant beyond their quiet prayers in their home. Certainly no sound Christian endorses disrespectful or derogatory behavior. But rendering religious beliefs as “neutral” while in public requires people to live as though their faith does not matter. This sends a message to people of faith that is simple to interpret: If your faith conflicts with present culture, change your beliefs.

Recent public attacks on the spiritual beliefs of Christian businessmen reflect a prejudice that masquerades as neutrality. They hope to foster a culture that belittles religious devotion, marginalizes Christian Faith, and discourages faith as an activity for outdated fanatics. Religious people, guided more by their faith than by the standards of others, will always be seen as eccentric. If one holds to a moral belief because they believe it to be “God’s will” you will likely be accused of imposing your religious beliefs on others. Of course this is an argument of contradiction. Its like saying, “I value tolerance and freedom, but you really ought to keep your beliefs to yourself if it is different than what I believe.” This logic sure sounds like someone is pushing their beliefs on us now!

Ironically, the vast majority of Americans are religious and respect faith in their lives. As you think about your own political convictions, do not allow secular culture to impose imaginary walls that keeps your personal faith out of everyday public life. Don’t let the world define “normal” for you as a Christian. For faith to be truly free it must have autonomy. Religion is simply not “another belief” …. it defines reality for Christians.

8 At one time you were in the dark. But now you are in the light because of what the Lord has done. Live like children of the light. 9 The light produces what is completely good, right and true. 10 Find out what pleases the Lord. 13 But everything the light shines on can be seen. 14 Light makes everything clear. That is why it is said, “Wake up, sleeper.
Rise from the dead.
Then Christ will shine on you.”

Ephesians 5:8-10, 13-14 (NLT)

Every Church Person's Worst Nightmare

Here's the scenario: Sharing your faith is not easy for you. Your Pastor has encouraged you to invite a friend to church, but that would just be awkward for you because you fear the worst. You love your church but you often wonder what an invited guest will think of you. "Will they think I am a religious nut? Will they treat me differently after? What happens if they don’t like it?"  Awkward, right?

You finally overcome your fears and muster the courage for “the big ask”. You run into a friend at the doctor’s office and you stumble through a church invite, trying to make it as informal as you can, and give them every excuse to say “no”. To your amazement, they say, “yes” with a sense of excitement. That puts a smile on your face. Your confidence instantaneously swells. As soon as they turn the corner, you do your “I’m good dance” down the hallway.

The big Sunday comes. Excitement and tension is in the air as you get ready for church. You settle your nerves and meet your friend at the entrance. You have done your best to prepare all your church friends to not “blow it” when you introduce them to your friend. You proudly walk your friend to the kid’s area to drop off the children. So far, so good. Nobody at church has said anything “stupid” and your friend seems to be positive about it all. You proudly walk them over to the worship center and sit next to them.

There is an opening song and some announcements. “Good”, you say to yourself. “No trombone solos today.” Your friend perks up when guests are acknowledged and when there seems to be something offered that would be of interest to someone searching for spiritual meaning. You’re half way there! But then your worse nightmare is realized:  The Pastor apologies for the “weird Sunday”, but feels compelled to teach on some obscure ritual found in the Book of Leviticus and brings all his historical notes from Bible School that would require a PhD to understand. You sink in your seat as your confidence begins to unravel. You whisper under your breath, “Never again."

As your Pastor, I want to build trust with you. That means I will make sure there is alignment with our “invite a friend value” and Sunday church, and how the teaching is presented. I want you to have the confidence that spiritual truth will be relevant to every day life, explained in simple ways, communicated with a tone that matches our excitement and care and, opportunities will be given for a spiritual seeker to respond to faith for the first time. Should we ever deviate from the norm on a particular Sunday, we will give you a “heads up” so you can prepare your invites accordingly.

Our current Proverbs Series, entitled Reality, may be your first opportunity to take that chance. Each Sunday promises to address the “cause and effect” realities in life that will include character, sex, finances, health, relationships, parenting, anger, and work. The series will take a break this Sunday and resume on September 2^nd. Trust me.

The Next Chapter at BP

 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.                  

                                                Philippians 2:1-2

Here are my vision points for the next school year at BP:

     1.     Transition to a more permanent home for Sunday worship.

 2.     Double the Moldova Team for the November 2012 trip - 15 participants!

 3.     Train a fleet of volunteer Care Workers to be present after each service to be a “first touch” for someone needing help by Spring 2013.

4.     Create an effective web site that features event registration, membership application, weekly prayer requests, and online Bible programs starting August 5, 2012.

5.   Create event opportunities for single “Young Adults” and for single “Mature Adults” by Spring 2013.

     6.   Help feed those in need here in our own community and increase compassion opportunities every month starting September 2012.

     7.     Rotate new Team members on the Advisor Team by January 1, 2013.

8.   Invest in marriages with creative dates nights, renewal of vow events, and a strong referral network of professional counselors.

9.     Host baptisms all year long when we enter our more permanent home.

    10.   Raise enough volunteer group leaders to breakdown our kid’s ministry by single grade level by Spring 2013.

    11.   Create a 4-5 grade class by Spring 2013.

    12.    Offer complimentary resources for seekers and a follow-up packet for new Christians by January 1, 2013.

    13.    Promote BP on the cover of Townelaker.

   

    14.   Start an “all for one … dollar” practice in November 2012. Everyone brings just one dollar to church every Sunday so we can help someone unemployed each week with some help.

 15.   Create a more distinct Middle School community and identity.

Go tech or go home!

This coming Sunday I will have the opportunity to share the next chapter for BridgePointe. We call it “Vision Sunday.” It’s a chance for me to share the periscope view for our church’s next steps. One of our vision points will be to be more “tech connected” at BP. Look at the facts:

•       74% of church members read the Bible electronically.
•       Facebook users spent 15-30 hours a month on the site.
•       Twitter is adding 500,000 people a day.
•       Religious people use technology at a higher rate than non-religious people: 79% use the internet; 86% use cell phones; 75% use e-mail.
•       Of people age 18-29, 75% have created an online profile on a social network and 1 out of 5 have posted a video of themselves online.
•       Seventy eight percent of people who visit a products’ web page with video will watch it and 90% of them will make a purchase decision based on the video.

The lesson for our church? “Go tech or go home!”  This wake up call compelled me to enlist the professional expertise of two members of our church family, Jesse Horne and Tony Berwald, to create a new web site for our church family. Take a look at it: www.bridgepointechurch.org

The numbers suggest that it is not an issue of “technology.” It’s about connecting with people. Technology is not a replacement for close relationships. It is a tool and support for connecting with others. I want to encourage you to take some action steps regarding our new web site:

•   Don’t rely on the church services to adequately inform you of what’s happening. Go to the church site frequently for the latest information.
•   Use the site as your primary way to register for opportunities.
•   Get a twitter account and post comments after BP events @bpclife. Comments post directly to the site’s front page for everyone to see!
•   Expose your friends and family to BP by inviting to visit the site before they visit the church through email links.
•   Sign up for the weekly e-blast and encourage others to do so as well.
•   Post on our BridgePointe Facebook page.
•   Become a part of the CCB network. You can do this from the web site under “BP Together.”
•   Listen to Sunday messages you miss. They latest messages will be posted each week.

The site will continue to grow and improve. We hope to add video, online growth courses, pictures from events, online membership and more. All the web site needs is … YOU. Go tech or go home!