Pictures from Mackinaw, IL THIRST Conference

Do You Know Who I Am?

As a Christmas present, I took my parents to see one of their favorite pop music icons from the 60s and 70s, Andy Williams. During his show Andy told about taking a trip with a friend to a retirement home where his friend's father was a resident. While his friend visited with his father, Andy struck up a conversation with a charming elderly woman. They enjoyed a delightful talk for over an hour. Toward the end of their time together Andy curiously asked, "Do you know who I am?" The woman quickly replied, "No. But if you will ask at the front desk, they will tell you!" Apparently, people who have forgotten who they are appreciate those who will remind them of their true identity.

Today the American Church is having an identity crisis. Church leaders, especially those of the next generation (of which I consider myself to be a part), are flooding conferences and websites in search of an identity for their churches. They are engaging in a nation-wide "conversation" on what a healthy church should look and feel like. Should it be purpose-driven, seeker-friendly, culturally-relevant, emerging, missional, fundamental, traditional, contemporary, or blended? Should the church feel like a classroom, concert, campaign rally, coffee House, or a family reunion?

Could I offer a suggestion? If you have forgotten who you are, you should check at the front desk with someone who knows. The Bible is full of reminders for a church who has forgotten who she is.

The church is the bride of Christ. Revelation 19:7
The church is the body of Christ. 1Corinthians 12:27
The church is made up of the children of God. 1John 3:1
The church is a holy nation. 1Peter 2:9
The church is a chosen generation.1Peter 2:9
The church is a royal priesthood.1Peter 2:9
The church is a people of God's possession.1Peter 2:9
The church is the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13
The church is the light to the world. Matthew 5:14
the church is a city set on a hill. Matthew 5:14

Of course these descriptions of the church don't answer every methodological question a church will face. But before a church can determine its methodology it must be fully convinced of its theology. Otherwise, it will sacrifice its own identity in an attempt to be culturally relevant.

We in Life Action will embrace our role by staffing the front desk by reminding the church who she is and how she is supposed to behave in a culture desperately in need of healthy churches.