She sat in the far back, closest to the door as if ready to bolt when it was over, but I could tell she was listening intently. Immediately after we were finished giving the presentation on our past five years living in the Middle East and ministering across Central Asia, I went up and introduced myself to her before she could leave and asked her how she knew about the local meeting with our partners (last month). She began to share about the first time she heard me teach from John's Gospel and how she's read our newsletters for years.
When I asked what church she is a member of, tears welled up in her eyes as she explained she'd been in a faith crisis for so long because of church and just hasn't been able to attend church much in the last year. "They are all too perfect" she explained. "They talk about how they hear from God, they wear beautiful clothes, their lives look so perfect. My life isn't like that. Thank you for sharing what is hard for you, what didn't go well for you and Neal overseas," she added.
We receive this response frequently after one of our presentations or teachings. Neal and I make it a point to share what is hard for us, where we struggled, and how God has helped us, and so far, it's never "back fired" on us. To the contrary, it seems to minister more to people when we share our failures, our losses, what disappointments we've had. They are attracted to vulnerability and authenticity, especially from public leaders.
In a cross-cultural ministry setting, we global workers often go into crisis over wrong expectations of God and of other Christ-followers who don't behave the way we expect them to behave. In the same way, there seems to be a pervasive crisis among American Christ followers over how the American church is behaving. I let her know she is not alone, that there are clear reasons for why the Church is the way she is in America, why so many are in crisis, and that there is a path out of it.
One step on the path is to realize that in every generation there is always a remnant of His followers who understand, who have a depth and an intimacy that is uncommon among the majority. This godly remnant has always been dissatisfied with the status quo.
Since returning to the USA for our 1-year home assignment, we've been amazed at how many of our friends and acquaintances are disenfranchised over Sunday morning church and are looking for a more authentic, deeper relational experience with God and with others. They don't appreciate Sunday morning entertainment and emotional manipulation.
We also hear from global workers who crave to experience a deeper relationship with Him, and respond well to being challenged and by elders who share and teach authentically. God is clearly doing something around the world to woo His people to want more, crave more of Him, but there are too few guides to show the way.
I encouraged her to consider choosing to step off the path of a faith crisis, recognize that there are clear reasons why the American church in her present state is not able to meet her needs and to find the authentic remnant who can help journey with her. I love meeting with people like her who are hungry for more, who recognize that there is so much more to the Christian life than what is currently on offer.
My prayer for my heart and for the hearts of my children and for all those like my friend-in-crisis is that we will grow in our unconditional love for His Bride, in whatever culture and nation she is found, and winsomly demonstrate a different path for all those wanting to know more of Him and grow deeper in intimacy with our Heavenly Father.
