The man's words stopped my thoughts when he said, "I get more out of my AA meetings than I do from my church." He went on to explain that at AA he received the benefit of being with people who had hit rock bottom just as he had, who shared the same shame, who had a keen interest in helping him maintain his sobriety. He is onto something that all churches need to think about seriously! Are we offering acceptance to those who need to be loved to wholeness? When someone full of shame and/or guilt makes their way into our meeting, do they find hope and forgiveness or stares of disapproval and not so subtle suggestions that they get their mess cleaned up?
Finding the right mix of genuine love and challenge to change is not a simple thing. AA does not say to the alcoholic, "You have two weeks to get it right. If you get drunk again more than three times, you're outta here!" Yet, the goal of sobriety is never compromised and anniversaries of sobriety are celebrated with noisy affirmation. Medallions are given out for the recovering alcoholic to carry in his pocket as a reminder of past victories and as a motivation for making right choices today. The success of AA is based on loving acceptance and real encouragement, not on punishment or shame! The 'friends of Bill W.' (AA's nickname) have a lot to teach those who claim to be friends of Jesus Christ.
The Bible says that God wants His people to a "glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. . . . holy and without fault." (Ephesians 5:27, NLT) And how does He accomplish this? With love, drawing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. A high priority in our fellowship must be to "see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25, The Message)
How do you relate to other Believers?
Are you quick to criticize?
Are you willing to be authentic and transparent in your own struggles with faith and obedience? Do you celebrate successes - yours and others?
Are you letting others encourage you and offering the same to someone in need?
Make the love of Christ practical. If you know a person who is struggling to make it, whose walk with Jesus is faltering, pick up the phone and reach out. No, don't start out the conversation by saying, "Where have you been? I haven't seen you in church for months." Tell them you miss them. Ask them if you can help them today or if there is something you can pray for with them, and then do it, right then. Instead of rushing into church right at 10 and leaving at the closing prayer, come and talk with your brothers and sisters. Listen and learn. Be a friend and create bonds around the shared passion for Christ and His church.
I don't want AA to be better at 'being the Church' than we are! I am glad for AA and deeply appreciate their mission, but the Church has something even better to offer. We are the redeemed, the transformed, the family of God. Jesus Christ announced His mission with these words. Prayerfully consider them and ask the Lord to make them true of your life and your church. What a mission statement!
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come." (Luke 4:18-19, NLT)
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