No, I will not be attending…

Heard an advertisement on a local Christian radio station this week that was touting a “pristine Christian event.” Pristine Christian event? What??? What is that?

Translation: This event is for Christians only. Non-believers need not apply. You will be turned away. We don’t need any women at the well. We don’t want any tax-collectors. All of you adulterers, alcoholics, skeptics, doubters, stay away. In fact we don’t want any sinners to attend this at all. This is for saints only! All others stay away!!!

Now did this advertisement mean to say anything that I’m implying? Of course n…. er, I hope not. But COME ON GUYS! That’s what’s wrong with Christianity today in our culture. It’s for us and nobody else. Did you know that, on average, a regular church attender within five years stops socializing with anyone outside their church circle. Makes me scream! and I’m guilty of it as well but YOOHOO has anyone read the NT lately. Jesus avoided the religious crowds. He chose to ignore the “righteous” so that he could focus on those who needed healing, spiritual healing. In short, Jesus didn’t attend any “pristine Christian events.”

Back to the ad, do you think anyone who has yet to accept Christ would hear that ad and say “wow, I want to go to that.” No chance. In fact, I cannot help but believe any person seeking truth but not yet taking the step would hear that ad and be turned off by the “you don’t belong attitude.”

Let me put it another way, this event was touting that it was specifically for Christians. A safe place for Christians to spend their vacation. Hear me on this: Only in our western (American?) culture would you hear anything that ludicrous. Do you think that the thousands of believers in Asia and Africa give a hoot that we’re promoting a safe environment for Christians? No chance. They live life on the edge, knowing that at any moment they may be questioned about their beliefs and pay the ultimate price. Yet Christianity is growing there and on the decline in America and Europe. Why? Because those Christ-followers are living it out. Let me say it again… they are following the pattern that Jesus modeled. Instead of hanging around each other, and only each other, these Christ-followers are living and sharing their faith. God, may we learn to be more like them.

It’s time to stop playing it safe! It’s time to break up the holy huddles. It’s time to get our hands dirty. I don’t know about you but the only “pristine Christian event” that I’m interested in is the one I’ll attend when I’m dead.