It's been awhile

So, I've been slacking a lot on this whole blog thing...not to say that everything in my life is slacking. In fact, I am very busy, which is why I've forgotten to keep this thing going...

So, I'm at work right now... I really have a wonderful job... I just got a new mac laptop, and so now I bring my computer to work with me...I'm thankful that I have down time at work where I can get other things done (i.e. homework, updating my blog, and downloading more music then I can afford). Speaking of music. How freakin' awesome is it that I'm at work, listening to worship music on my laptop while I work in the lab... Not many people I know have that luxury. I know that sounds all "Christian like," but seriously...It just makes your day seem less crazy ya know?

I found this really great church here in the city...FINALLY!!! It only took a year. It's called Origins. Check out their website at www.originsnyc.com. The worship is great, and I love the heart of the pastor as well as the mission of the church. My big difficulty I've had here in NYC with churches is that they are about numbers. Since when did the church's primary goal become evangelism?

Now wait, before you react to that last question, let me explain. The church of course needs to focus on evangelism...That is what God has called each of us to, right? However, don't we have a pastor for a reason? Pastor- the meaning is in the word. One who looks after his sheep. They are in a place of leadership, to facilitate growth for believers. Isn't that a pastor's primary goal? So what happens when a pastor forgets that? When a pastor is more concerned about converting then about maintaining? What happens is that we get a watered down version of the truth. We get the same sermon, rejazzed each time to inspire people.

Isn't that good though? Well yes...it's great for the first two or three weeks...and I'll even go as far as adding two or three months, especially if you are a new believer. But what happens after that? Where are we to go after that? Inspriration quickly becomes bordom and repitition.

People need truth, not just hope; not just a good feeling in the pit of their stomach. I feel that truth has been replaced by emotion. That faith has been reduced to a mountain-top experience. We know that these events are what catch people's attention. But is it what keeps it there? Emotion is up and down...So what happens when that mountain-top experience turns to depression, addiction, and wrongfull dependence. We are all creatures of habbit, and the bad ones tend to creep back no matter how good we are feeling.

God established our relationship with him on faith and commitment, not emotion. Although emotion does play a huge role in the grand picture...But is emotion what holds you in a marriage? What happens when you wake up one day and realize that you don't love your spouse. We all go through those moments...So what keeps us there in those times...Our commitment does...Our commitment to have and to hold, and our faith that things will change, and that our love for each other is still there, and still growing, whether we "feel" it or not...

The same is true with God...If we base our relationship with God on emotion, we are in for one hell of a rollercoaster. And through it we will be thrown off the ride, too bruised to get back on.

I think this applies to pastoralship as well...If a pastor is about the emotional hook and not about truth and about faith in his congregation, then the church is left with a congregation that is packed when the pastor is there and then completely empty when on summer sebatical...

And likewise, a congregation can't be dependent on a pastor, but the church community.

Anyway, now that this whole post has been a complete tangent (but a good one at that), my point is to say I really like my pastor...he is not about the emotional hook, but about substance. But above all to pastor a community completely committed to Christ, and at the same time completely in love with Him (Him being Christ, not the pastor) and the city of New York. And thus, he is completely committed to his community, and to speak truth to them in love...

I have passed the point in my relationship with God where feel-goodery is all I'm after...I need truth, and usually in its rawist form so that it actually gets through to me. The emotion is great, don't gett me wrong. It's like a Godiva chocolate at the end of a long day, or really good sushi when you're hot and frustrated...but it's not what maintains my relationship with God...

I've grown tired of the rollercoaster...I want the real thing...I ride has an endpoint...I don't want an endpoint with God, only a beginning...

Comments

[Ryan Hsia]

Interesting post. I concur with your thoughts. Later, bro.

[Catherine]

I followed you here from myspace...I'm not stalking you though, I swear. I totally agree with you that the church (and Church, for that matter) should not be about evangelism, but about ministering to believers. Couldn't have said it better. Glad you found one in NYC!