Well, here's a thought or two that have been brewing in my head a while now. It seems that we're in a "perfect storm" of articles and suggestions coming together to finally irk me enough to write these words, so here goes.
When is the term "Christian" going to stop being associated solely with the "fundagelical" movement?
I am tired of reading about "Christians" and it becoming clear that the conversation is not about Christians but a specific segment of Christians. Recently I read a devotion that talked on this very topic (you can read it here) well, at least it hit me in that way. Additionally, a number of years ago a friend of mine wrote a wonderful song called "You Don't Speak For Me" and I'm often reminded of the fact that some people try to speak on my behalf without really doing so. Of course there's the current movie, that I want to see at some point, from Bill Maher called Religulous but again, it points at "Christians" but really means one segment of Christians.
I guess my point in all of this is not that I blame any of these folks for talking about the "fundagelicals" as Christians because they've been the ones bold enough to take a stand on things and get in front of enough people that people know who they are. No, my point is when are the rest of us going to stand for something or work to get in the press so that our name is put along side Christian as well?
I think about this now as I work with a small congregation in a retirement community. There's something brewing in this place and it's exciting because what is brewing is a dream, an idea that "this little church will do great things". I hope they can do something in this community and actually change people's impressions of Christians! This might be just the kick in the pants everyone else needs!
