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What do you think of when you see the word FOR? Do you think about golf and how bad you are at it? (That's FORE, BTW). Do you think of when your cousin's-brother's-sister's-former-roommate said your glasses gave you FOUR eyes? (And yes, I have forgiven, but not forgotten...pray for me...and my glasses) You probably think of something (or someone) you support. (Here in New Orleans, we are FOR the New Orleans Saints…no matter how much they toy with and break our hearts).
Here's a question: When you think of the word FOR, what do you think of the Church? You know...the one Jesus started? Some of us, particularly inside the Church, would say, "FOR SURE!" However, if we asked that question for those outside of the Church (and a growing number of those inside it), they would probably ask us a question like, "Are you FOR real?”
The truth is this question has been asked, and the word that more and more folks are associating with the Church is "AGAINST.”
AGAINST culture
AGAINST people
AGAINST change
AGAINST other religions
AGAINST other Christians (that don't think like us/me)
More and more folks have either grown up in a Church community and left because of this, or they grew up outside of a Church community with their only exposure being this AGAINST message. Ultimately, it's leading them to this conclusion…
Church isn't for me because the Church isn't FOR me.
Interestingly enough, Jesus and the community of believers who came after Him weren't known FOR this...at all. In fact, they had a weird and confusing reputation. Jesus and His followers spent a lot of time and energy on those folks that their religious tradition and culture found unworthy. In other words, Jesus and His followers spent a lot of time and energy with outsiders, loving and leading them to a better way of life. So, one could say that Jesus and the Church are FOR outsiders.
If they were FOR the outsiders, that must mean they were AGAINST the insiders, right? Well…not exactly...quite the opposite! Jesus spent a lot of time with folks and leaders of His religious tradition, always loving and leading them to a better way of life. So, one could also say Jesus and his followers are FOR insiders.
Fast-forward to today, especially with it being "the most wonderful time of the year" (Not Christmas, silly, election season!). We as a society seem to operate in the "AGAINST", as well. (A question for another time: Has society just conformed to the mold of the "AGAINST" Church, OR has the Church just conformed to the mold of the "AGAINST" society?). We all seem to gravitate towards the "AGAINST" rather than the "FOR" posture. As we can all clearly see, it's working out great!!! (As author Darynda Jones once quipped, "There is a great need FOR a sarcasm font.”)
For us here in New Orleans, we're going "old school" and want to be known FOR what we are FOR. After all, we believe the power of selfless love will change the world. So, we exist to Just Love our Neighbor's body, mind, and soul.
We are FOR the outsiders...those who are not (or will not) be a part of our Church.
FOR finding sustainable solutions to provide food and housing security.
FOR supporting the treatment and healing of mental illness.
FOR encouraging restorative spiritual community and practices.
We are also FOR the insiders...those from other Christian denominations and other spiritual traditions.
FOR finding ways to partner together for the life of the City.
FOR supporting other clergy and spiritual leaders' mental health.
FOR encouraging and praying for/with them as they respond to the Divine.
Here's the exciting thing we are finding. There are a lot of "FOR" folks in New Orleans, and they are making a real difference. Our guess is that there are a lot of "FOR" folks in your City as well. They are easy to find...that is...if you are looking FOR them...you won't need FOUR eyes to see them.
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