What, Exactly Am I Responsible For?

Times Are Tough! I Mean, What's A Person To Do?

WWJD: What Would Jesus Do? What Should You Do? 

   A Few Years Ago, when "WWJD?" was still a 'thing'... I came across this, and don't recall where-exactly, or how. But, from time to time as this big green ball of soil, air, water and carbon based life forms continues to spin; or spin out of control....

   I sometimes find myself asking "Where's the Church?".  Not the Church in that condescending, today's definition of "Evangelical", or "conservative", 'holier-than-thou' judgmental Christian Church...

   But, The Church, that He started, that the Apostles, and Disciples kept ALIVE after His death and resurrection and ascension.... that Church! The Church that loved, cared, and, at its best and worst, was ... well, ... relevant:

   "I simply argue that the cross be raised again in the town square; at the center of the marketplace, as well as on the church steeple. I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a Cathedral between two candles, but on a high cross, between two thieves: on the town garbage heap; at a crossroads so cosmopolitan that they had to write his title in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.... And, at the kind of place where cynics talk smut, thieves curse and soldiers gamble. Because that's where He died. And, that is what He died about. And that is where churchmen ought to be and what churchmen ought to be about." - Geo. Mac Leod, Scottish soldier, Evangelist and Theologian 

   Relevant. Is the Church still relevant? Is your church still relevant, based upon Mac Leod's definition of 'where the Church should be', and his call-out of church folk, and what they 'ought' to be about - and, very specifically 'where' WE ought to be? 

   I agree with, and embrace his long ago claim, and challenge. For too long we've been crucifying Jesus again, every Good Friday, and Raising Him again every "Easter"; Birthing Him again every Christmas.  And, we teach, and preach... to the Choir! Every Sunday; most Wednesdays, a few Thursdays here-and-there. Baptisms, Weddings. Sadly, Funerals, for some we don't know if Believed, claimed, or proclaimed Him, or ever called on His name! (And, more sadly, maybe the only time in an entire Pastorate, 'the sermon' gets 'preached', outside, at that place of death, the cemetery)!

"Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are"!  Come out Christians! Out of those cozy, comfy, church padded chairs that replaced the hard, stiff, uncomfortable pews that used to be in the Sanctuary. Come out, to the streets, the mall, the shopping strip, retail commercial corridor; today's town garbage heap that place where people dump their trash, old couches, bed-bug-ridden bedding and broken beer bottles! Raise The Cross, on a traffic island that memorializes long dead soldiers who gave their lives so we can raise the cross, or the flag! Don't preach Him, teach about Him, show Him to people. Bring them to Him. 

   Someone attributed the quote "Preach Jesus! Use Words When Necessary" to St. Francis (Of Assissi) no one's really certain who said it but, Francis did live it! We sometimes refer to someone as so good "he'll give you the shirt off his back" - That was Francis. So very poor, - in goods. So very rich, in Spirit, and Belief. Literally preached naked at once because he had given the cloak and robe off his back to a person more needy than himself! (Now, I'm not advocating naked preaching! No! I'm not sure I wanna see my Preacher, or several few others in the buff! And, I know you, or no one else wants to see this preacher sans clothes; No, knowing my own strengths and weaknesses--and 'blemishes'... and, that I definitely look better 'Robed' than disrobed! I'll stay clothed!). 
   Times are tough! Whew! Are they ever?! And, things don't seem to be getting much better anytime soon. Sadly, the Church, our church, is 'circling the wagons'! Instead, we should be loading up, movin' 'em on out and taking the 'chuck wagon', the gravy train' to the Public Square, the market place called 7-Eleven, Save-A-Lot, Cousins' Market, the nearest War Memorial, Veterans Plaza, park, playground, ball courts, school yards and that trash dump, forgotten back-street, and those that inhabit it. And, while there dispense not, or not only physical food and drink, but Spiritual food and that water that really, really satisfies a thirst! Jesus likely knew, and spoke Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic, so, if that public square you go to is so cosmopolitan, don't go expecting everyone to 'order' in English only! No "Habla Ingles Solamente aqui, por favor" signs, or behaviours. This IS America, but, we DO NOT Speak English Only here!

   Relevance! You're asking, "Well, what exactly are my responsibilities?". I once saw a magazine article only glancingly, I don't have the attribution; but, the 'sidebar' read: "what exactly are my responsibilities? Your responsibilities are exactly equal to your opportunities".

   Opportunities abound! Raise The Cross! Recover the claim! I'll be right there with you! (I tend to like 'tag team' preaching anyway!) No, Seriously, I do. Good old fashioned Street Evangelism, "Tent Meeting", "Camp Meeting" "Revival" Under the tent, or open-air! Anywhere! As long as it's Out There! 

See Ya On The Streets, In The Public Square, 

Deo soli gloria. Jesu juva. gloria a Dios solamente. Jesús salva. almjd lilah wahdih. yaswae yunqidh. Glory to God only. Jesus saves! Amén. Brother Michael, OSL
"At The End Of The Day Though, I Still Want To Feel, ...To Know, That I've Truly Been To Church; Not Just To The Big Show!" - Me