I’ve decided. I’m going to the next level in God. I’m going to be empowered by an incredible, enthusiastic, visionary leader and take this city for Christ. I’m going to be a vibrant, passionate, charismatic believer who takes excellence seriously. I’m joining a vibrant, contemporary, growing church with a powerful message that impacts the world and has a vision statement that involves loving life, loving people and loving God. I’m getting connected to a small group that will move me into that next level and take me into the unknown, teaching me to drink that living water and walk by faith. I have a vision for this nation, I’m going to see revival sweep across this land.
Apologies to those who just choked on their coffee, but does any of that sound familiar?
These are words that echo in my mind. I used to love them, these broad sweeping christianese terms. They made me feel powerful and excited. They swept me up in emotion. They were often accompanied by music from the keyboard and shouts from the pulpit. They called me to action. Well, for a moment anyway. Then I had coffee.
Unfortunately, after all those years of proclamations, nothing changed. I didn’t change. I got whipped up into a frenzy, but I certainly didn’t impact anybody around me. I most definitely didn’t get to any “next level”. I really wonder what the “next level” is anyway. Is it like a coloured karate belt? A school diploma?
I also wonder what would actually have happened if I did instead of proclaimed. If I visited instead of excelled and gave that cup of water instead of drinking it myself.
I’m sure the lack of action can come down to my own decisions. After all, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. It just would have been nice to have an actual water trough in sight, though.
Well, after the first paragraph I was going to write that I could recommend some “good” churches for that….Sigh…..It was like you took it directly from what you heard me say a year and a half ago.
I’ve been changed more in leaving than any change that happened there. Maybe this was the next level, although it feels like the next level down – not up, but that’s what Jesus said it would be right?
I’ve had enough hype to last me a lifetime. I’m amazed at how long people can listen to things like that and not see through the emptiness of it after awhile….I guess it’s a false form of “hope,” but it sure isn’t the real deal, is it?
Lower I go….
Man….how many times have I said those things…then looked back and wondered what happened!
The line “I also wonder what would actually have happened if I did instead of proclaimed.”, hit the nail on the head.
Great post.
I would love to have you post it on RelevantChristian.com if you are interested. If so…email me at jimmy@relevantchristian.com
Peace!
OMG…I’m gonna need a towel to get all of this coffee off my keyboard.
My My…how many times has the same rhetoric been spilled out to all of us?! If I had a penny…. right?
RICH I tell ya…. filthy, stinking RICH!
I don’t know the answer though. I think maybe backing up from the idea of taking the nation by storm and just being kind to one individual might make a bit more of a difference than us sitting around discussing our grand ideas and doing nothing.
maybe?
Michelle,
That has become my focus…one by one, living the life, showing the love of Christ.
If I had been drinking coffee, I would have choked on it. Well, the reality is that I don’t drink coffee, and would probably have choked on it anyway. But still.
I think you might have just cured my writer’s block.
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Great post!
The first paragraph sounds like my current church. “We’re going to take this county/our schools/whatever else for God! We’re going to see revival! We’re going to see this place full!” Most of the congregation shouts and screams “Amen!” or “That’s right!”; and they’ll get all excited.
It does nothing for me. I’d be content if something I said or did helped only a few people who needed what I’d offer them. *nods*
I have a pastor friend of mine that has pastored the same church for over 20 years now, and everytime I visit they are always saying things like that. The sad thing…it’s been 20 years…the church still has done nothing. They still have the same 30 or so people that were there before.
Yes, that’s all very familiar to me.
Preacher: “God’s Spirit is MOVING in this place!”
Congregation: “Amen!”
Preacher: “He’s going to do mighty things. A mighty REVIVAL is on its way!”
Congregation: “AMEN! Hallelujah!”
Barry: (Under his breath) “What, you mean like it did every other time you made that proclamation over the past 10 years?”
Friend sitting next to Barry: “You just ahven’t got enough faith. Get rid of that critical spirit!”
Etc.
I am so glad to be away from all that.
Barb and Tracy, I think a changed mindset is always a good thing when it’s changed against hype and toward reality. It takes a while to detox from all of that hype though.
Jimmy, thanks for the invite. I emailed you.
Michelle and Shelly, I’m quite happy with the one person at a time thing myself. After all, Jesus himself said we were doing it for him. Besides, I’m pretty sure “Take this city for Christ” isn’t in the Bible, unless I’m missing something.
Thanks, Dan
Jeff, glad to hear your writers block is gone. I’ve missed reading your posts.
Barry, I’m pretty sure I have one of those critical spirit things. It comes in handy!
I was rather shocked at first. I have read your site several times over the last few months. I thought you had done a complete 180 at first. Glad to know you haven’t.
I understand exactly what you are saying. I too got very tired of the life of Christian hype. The one all about emotion, and nothing real. I got tired of seeing people shouting, hollering, and preaching about reaching their world for Jesus, only to walk out the doors of the church and forget all about it.
Heres to hoping that there are enough of us out there who are willing to start with justing reaching one person at a time.
Man, I’m so lazy. I’ve *got* to change the URL in my feeder for your blog. I’m late to this discussion, so the others have already added my favorite bits:
1) Focusing on the one in front of us (instead of grandiose visions – unless, I suppose God has really and truly shown you a grandiose vision and you’re actually doing it. I’ll listen to people who are doing it).
2) And going lower. The “next level” is always lower, so that we can fit through the low gate, the narrow gate, the small gate without all that baggage!
Hi, Rule Breaker. Nice to meet you! Come join us on the reaching one person at a time journey. There are enough of us out there, but without you there would be one less.
Sarah, tsk tsk.
Nice to hear from you, late or not.
I don’t think the problem is grandiose visions. They can be nifty. It’s just when the grandiose vision is accompanied by …. a big long blank of nothingness. Without vision the people may perish, but with vision and no actual action they’re not likely to get anywhere fast either.
You’re probably right – the next level must be lower. That’s what Jesus did – made himself lower the further he went along. There has to be a lesson in that.
Thankyou – there’s a whole generation of us that got caught up in the froth and bubble. I pastored, I was there and I know …
You had me going there for a while, I was saying, Preach it Sister!!!, then after the first paragraph I yelled – PREACH IT SISITER!!!
I am going to link – here, blessings,
Great reflection – I thought from the picture the next level was upstairs. I.e. I’ll sit in the balcony at church from now on.
Besides, I’m pretty sure “Take this city for Christ” isn’t in the Bible, unless I’m missing something.
I’ve not found it anywhere. I see stuff about doing justice, loving mercy, helping out widows and orphans and those in need, sharing the Good News with people, and that sort of thing…but none of that “take this city for Christ” stuff.
I really was wondering for a second what that was about. At first I thought you were making a point. Then it went on so long…. But no, you came back around with it.
Amen. I agree. How did we lose sight of what is important.
heather, oh this was soooooooo good! i stumbled on it from former leader’s blog. i just saw info about a strategic church plant in our area and it had absolutely every buzz word that has ever been used all in one paragraph. ugh!
Mark R, so glad to see another person who came out of the “froth and bubble”. Thanks for the linkage.
Divadnagrom, if I can convince just one person to sit in the balcony, my job is done
Shelly and Mike, amazing isn’t it how the bits that aren’t in the Bible are given such importance and yet the bits that are seem to be largely ignored..
Nate, I knew it wouldn’t get past you. No “You had me going”, just “What is that point you’re making???”
Kathy, thanks. And welcome! Stick around a while and make yourself comfortable. There’s a spare beanbag in the corner, and Nate’s about to head out to the kitchen to make nachos.
Great post! Hmmmm seem to remember visiting a place in Vic that said those exact words ‘take this city’. I don’t think it’s gone anywhere yet!? It bothers me deeply to tell you the truth, how we, as followers of Jesus can become so blind as to take our eyes off being real, off being as Christ to the individual and seek our own glory to the masses. To raise ‘important leadership’ so they can sit in the front row and leave the ’sinner’ at the back. Somehow this reflects more of our society than it does the body of Christ. The real problem is that many people are thinking that this is what a life with Jesus is, an example that may not be entirely true.
Anyway . . . . Thanks for the post will be around if it’s ok.
By the way . . . . not sure how footy oriented all of you are but I am so looking forward to the dream team kicking some serious Vic butt this weekend!!!
Great to meet you, Glenno. Glad you liked the post. Feel free to hang around whenever you like. We’ll grab a few extra cushions so you can sit by the fire. There might be a few nachos left if Erin hasn’t eaten them all. In any case, I should be able to find a Crowny for you, although being from SA you’re probably a Coopers boy
.
Re. footy – I”m not oriented in that direction at all, sorry! I have no idea who’s playing this weekend, but I’m assuming the “dream team” you speak of must be an Adelaide one. Are they the ones who wear that funny aqua blue colour???
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Hi there! This is my first time here. Great post! I also want to go deeper in Christ and what I realize is that takes alot of sacrifice on my part. Being a living Christian (not just a talking one) takes alot of involvement. It’s not just going to church and wearing a Jesus pin!
So, I’ll just start by letting God know my intentions.LOL He’ll make it clear just what I need to do. He always does, doesn’t he? (smile)
Hi, Rachel, and welcome! Pull up a chair and stay a while.
Yes, it does take a lot of involvement to be a Christ-follower. I wouldn’t go back for the world, though. It’s an incredible adventure in life, one I believe we humans were designed for. There is nothing more fulfilling, more stretching and more beautiful. Enjoy the journey!
“Are they the ones who wear that funny aqua blue colour???”
I think you mean ‘Teal’. . . . funny aqua blue . . . jeesh! Yep they’re the ones.
Glenno, I told you. I am completely footy illiterate.
I could probably name the colours of three or four teams, and I wouldn’t know a footy player if I tripped over one. In fact, we went to a Kangaroos fundraiser dinner thing as the guests of my husband’s boss last year. I could only tell the footy players by their height and size – even the apparently “famous” ones. I was told afterwards the coach was sitting at the table next to us. Apparently. I had no idea. However, the food was fantastic, and we were pleasantly surprised to find the wine was from our favourite little winery 
we are SO on the same page! nicely said.
Said it, didn’t do it. Made a lot of noise but didn’t change much. Burnt out but becoming free of rhetoric. Every once and a while I slip back. Hard to break an addiction to the talk. Trying to be careful not to judge. We all fall once and a while. We all want something to happen in our lives. I mean we knew all the “PROMISES” didn’t we?
I am a pastor seeking Christ again but not the same way.
Allan
David, great to see you around here! Thanks for your comment. I figure if I’m on the same page as you I’m probably heading somewhere in the right direction
Either that or at least our page will be bright and colourful and full of beautiful poetry and childish scribbles.
Allan, welcome! Please make yourself comfortable and stay a while. It’s so great seeing some pastors looking at things differently. I understand exactly what you mean by “addiction to the talk”. It’s amazing how well one can fit in to Christian circles by knowing the right talk. Go well on your journey, and I enjoy this wonderful life of following Jesus I’ve come to know as The Junk Drawer.
Thanks Heather
I feel like many of us are being forced to re-evaluate our brands of Christianity. I think if we are to be honest we probably shouldn’t be calling ourselves Christians because we are not anything like Christ. There is that judgemental side coming out. Ugh…(What we have been doing simply doesn’t match what we say and it does not meet the needs of our changing world ) Maybe “disciple in training” would be a little better. Presently, I am on break from church work but likely will be starting back again in the Fall. I’ve been thinking about doing something different when I get back. What if we were to focus more attention on developing a culturally relavant practice of faith and love and than discuss what we are discovering while trying to staying true to the essentials (I am not referring to evangelical or liberal essentials) of the Gospel. Thanks for the welcome. I’ll talk to you later
thankyou for stating what I so desperatley feel.
I despise Christian hype and hollering (although I still
want a real passionate faith and experience with Christ)!!
I am SO triggered being around christian friends who
are “on fire” and ready for “coast to coast revival” kind
of thing. IT REMINDS ME THAT GOD NEVER CAME THRU FOR
ME IN MAGICAL WAYS THAT I EXPECTED… BECAUSE HE NEVER PROMISED TO.
peter
Peter, welcome. Thanks for making me look back at this post – it’s been a while since I re-read it.
You’re exactly right – God never promised it. It’s amazing how we sometimes expect things that were never going to happen to begin with just because somebody told us to. Then the hopes come dashing down and we wonder why us, what did we do wrong? when in fact the “magic” should never have been relied upon in the first place.