The Environment. Global warming. Universal Health Care. Poverty. War.
These are all issues we must be concerned about.
Do you feel a “but” coming?
But…
There’s a danger in big ideas. The danger is we transfer one cause for another. This is especially dangerous in the emerging church. Many of us have come out of church situations where we the primary focus has been the exaltation of ideas. For many, the danger to switch one big idea for another is too much to overcome.
I see that working in a lot of emerging churches today, at least how they are described by those running them (let’s be honest, very FEW of us have actually experienced most of the emerging churches we are familiar with, it all comes from personal conversation or what we read on the internet or emerging literature). The big ideas of theological reconstruction, focusing on the poor and the oppressed, care for the world we live in–these things can become just big ideas.
In a nation where free speech is touted as one of our greatest freedoms, we have become inclined as individuals to think we are actually doing something when we exercise that freedom. When we associate with others who are talking about the environment, talking about poverty, talking about corruption in politics, talking about (insert big idea here), we feel as though we are doing something. Simply by identifying with the big ideas which often are extremely important, we find an identity which justifies, to the big ideas’ detriment, just being passionate about something without actually doing something related to the big idea.
Even as I write this, I think, well, I recycle! I also drive a Z3 which doesn’t get quite the gas mileage I thought it would…
I do look the homeless persons in the eye when talking to them or passing them on the street, whether I give or not, but I don’t do near what I am able. I could truly help, but I don’t. Somehow, being amongst people who care about the poor makes it easier for me to shirk my responsibility to actually help them.
I don’t want to discredit the ministries which are talking about the big ideas, that is not my intent at all. Being aware, however, of the danger big ideas present, is necessary to overcome the very real possibility (or even probability) that our churches are more about talking up the big ideas than dedicating resources towards them.
And to beat a dead horse for long-time readers of this blog… as long as our primary focus for church life is a meeting with a half-hour or more sermon, big ideas will always be our focus rather than actually doing something about them.
Hi Alan!
Your post sums up very well my own thoughts. I have been thinking about the amount of oil I consume because of the car that I drive, and about the amount of water I waste because of the length of my showers. I think about how I am typing on such an expensive piece of equipment that is deemed “necessary” in our modern world. To be honest, most people get excited in our culture over big causes, but they also get excited about the newest gadgets and how they are going to save up to get one.
Working with the youth at EV Free West Covina (which is definitely the opposite of an emerging church), I and the youth pastor have noticed that students have become so inculcated with big ideas, but cannot conceive of ways to put their ideas into action.
I am seriously considering selling my car if I can after I graduate.
Danny
December 22nd, 2007