There is a lot of things we try to do as a church to draw people into a living faith with God. We try to present ourselves as being open, accessible, accepting of all people, regardless, of race, gender, social background. (Hopefully we are.)
We do our best to make it a 'visitor friendly' experience. We want people to feel they have 'come home', as I experienced all those years ago at South West London Vineyard Church in Putney.
However, it struck me that being seen as a nice bunch of people that helps with practical pastoral issues is not enough. Though I am proud of all the good things we achieve through our compassion and kindness ministries, if we are not careful our work can be earthbound not heaven looking. it becomes a glorified social work and friendship club.
So it made me question myself: why don't we talk about the spiritual battle that Christians believe that they find themselves in more? I wonder if we are worried that we might come across as a bit unhinged or OTT. Well,maybe.
One thing that American Vineyard Pastor Rich Nathan reminded me of recently is that people get drawn into religious sects because they offer an easier life to the cruel hard world. It is a classic 'honey trap'.
Unfortunately the Church can sometimes be accused unwittingly of doing the same thing. We can present a life in God as being a cushy one. However, of course, Church is not just a recreational space for helpless or harassed people. If only!
I have found it is anything but easy. That's because as soon as we nail our colours to the mast and say that we follow Jesus we are going to be shot at. We now have a spiritual enemy.
We need to watch the danger of seeing the Church as some kind of glorified cruise liner that sails effortlessly around the tropical islands with its passengers continuously eating, drinking, playing deck games, before eating and drinking some more.Paul the apostle in Ephesians chapter 6 paints the church as a fighting force that has to be prepared for war and conflict at the drop of a hat. Not quite Caribbean Cruises then, more the Royal Navy.
The Christian has to be aware that they are not just engaged with the battles in life, but a war against a spiritual enemy. One that wants to see our self-destruction. One that wants to demoralise us and speak lies to our minds. Therefore we have to learn "to stand".
If we avoid the subject, we have just set each other up for a fall. Not good.
ASD




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