For the last hour I’ve been praying, and the burden of our generation, specifically 30-somethings and younger has grown incredibly strong. When I think of the broad subject of them, my eyes swell with tears. I see a picture of a group of people, dressed in the pressed suits, expensive ties, driving their BMW to their $200,000 “investment” called home. On the outside, they look perfect, the epitome of American. But inside, I can see the hurt. I can see the affairs. I see a world that is riddled with divorce and unfaithfulness. Children lured by lust. Teenagers lip-syncing lies. College students on a quest for emptiness. Wives wishing for more. The epitome of American.

If our world has any hope, any chance for peace, love, and joy, then it needs one thing – God’s Spirit. In order to have the fruit, you must have the source. Honestly, where is God’s Spirit? What are we doing to invite God in our homes? I’m not talking about some perverted spin on the Gospel. I’m not talking about some weird snake charming schemes and loud shouts of different languages that somehow convince our emotions that what we’re feeling is the Spirit of God. I mean, seriously, have we ever genuinely sought after God without all of our preconceived ideas of Him and what He can do? I mean, really, ever, have we? I feel impressed more and more everyday to leave everything I’ve known about God on the church pew where I learned it.

To ask a really tough question, where is our present model of church found in the Bible? I understand synagogues and people coming to hear the Word because there were no personal bibles back then. But all the programs and marketing schemes, where are they in scripture? I’m not opposed to God’s people having quality and creative images, but that should never be the basis nor the substance of worth. Marketing is superficial and has no bearing on what actually makes the church tick. Cutting edge technology has nothing to do with our belief system. I understand this more than anybody, I’m a graphic designer. Seriously, if church were to have a posture, would she be standing tall with her chest sticking out, boasting arrogance, or is she on her knees with a bowl of water and bandages, eager to serve and clean the feet of hurting people who are passing through this world?

Since when did the man in the pulpit become the only minister? That’s jacked up. What would happen if the church quit focusing on the next big event and how to grow exponentially, and focused on empowering people to love God, clean up their act, and bring people into the Kingdom. I heard of a church in DFW called the Village. Someone described it as a church that is full of 30-somethings that are messed up. They’re divorced, ex druggies, some porn stars. But they are so desperate that they have found themselves on rock bottom and are genuinly seeking after God. And as a product, they are doing hard core witnessing and bringing their hurting friends into church, and they grow souls because of that. Those friends don’t stick because they like the music or the preaching is good. They plant themselves because they see that hurting people are being healed, and most importantly, they see the physical evidence of the hand of Christ. I’m not anti church, and I don’t mean to be disrespectful to the instution that kept me on the right track for most of my life. But, it’s an institution, and we must not forget that church is not a divine and sovereign God. I’m not anti church, I’m just pro Christ. I’m convinced that His way of life is the best way to live. I’m convinced that pursuing peace in every situation is the best solution. I’m convinced that being generous with my time and money and helping others in need is more important than building a stock pile for myself. For the first time in my life, I’m convinced that Christ really comes to bring life more abundantly, and my heart knows that. The problem is, I am convinced. But how can my world be convinced?