Bizarro World
There was an episode of Seinfeld* once that had the featured characters talking about a Bizarro World. In this episode Elaine meets three individuals that are the ‘Bizarro’ version of Jerry, George, and Kramer. They act and do the opposite of normal Jerry, George and Kramer. They are kind, considerate, genuinely curious about the world around them, and generally good citizens. This episode or topic is actually modeled after a popular theme in DC Comics of a Bizarro world where several of Earth’s heroes have an opposite counterpart.
In other words, in Bizarro World everything is opposite of our world. Sometimes I think the church is operating in a Bizarro World of sorts. Its not so much in outright morality where good is bad and bad is good, but more in focus and function. It could be argued though that motive comes into play.
The church’s modus operendi seems to have become, “Get them in so that we can change them.” We have accepted and adopted the mindset that says by all means get them in. Need more youth? Build a mini-theme park replete with arcade and rock climbing walls. Need more young adults? Then simply ‘emerge’ and make things more emotional and relative (seems we have confused the words relational and relative). Recently a story came out featuring ‘Pet-Friendly’ churches where people can bring their pets to church with them and as was stated by one church, “share their faith with their pet”.
Now I know that Jesus instructed us to go out into the roads and hedges and compel or make them come in so that His house may be full, but what house was he trying to get them into, His house or our local church houses? It seems we have turned it upside down and around, a Bizarro World if you will. Doesn’t the Bible teach us to take the Gospel to the lost and share it with them that they may hear it and believe on Him and THEN they are a part of the church?
None of this is to say that those who have not yet believed and been converted are not welcome in the worship and fellowship of the local congregation. It is not to suggest that we should not do things to encourage fellowship both among believers and unbelievers, thus providing us with opportunities to share our love and faith with them. But we must be aware that it is possible to go too far in our efforts to get them to ‘come to church’ by all means. When we do this we lose sight of our real responsibility and goal.
In our Bizarro World our focus turns to getting them in seats or in programs. In the more traditional churches we strive for attendance. In the emerging church we strive for participation. Its all turned upside down when we try to get them in so that they can ‘get in’ (that is, in Christ). When in reality if we ‘get them in’ they will automatically be in the real church.
Refreshing Rain ministries has open dates for Revivals, Conferences (Leadership training, Marriage Enrichment, etc) and Special Events in the fall. Contact Rev. Raney to schedule a date.
Contact Keith at revraney@yahoo.com or by calling 859-441-3832 to discuss scheduling.
* Sony Pictures
