There Has Got To Be More - Part 1

“Come to Me….”
“Follow Me….”
“Abide in Me….”
“Come to Me and drink….”

For quite a few years now I have heard the prevailing phrase, “There has got to be more,” as friends reflect on their church experience. So many of us are fed up with legalism, traditionalism, denominationalism, shoddy music and preaching, and the mentality that says, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

My knee-jerk response is, initially, there is something more! And there is! But a couple of things need to be said here at the outset. First, for those who seek more, I would say to you, nourish that need: That need comes from a place within you that can only be filled by the Real Thing, God, Himself. It is a legitimate and authentic longing for our Creator and Father (read Psalm 73:24-25).

On the other hand, it is likely the case that you and I have been substantially influenced by the culture of consumerism (under the rubric of sin, flesh and the devil). Just as when Satan enticed Adam and Eve to adjust their gaze a mere one degree off the object (or the Person) of their ultimate affection, namely from God onto themselves, so you and I have been drawn into thinking that “something more” has everything to do with “me.”

Here is what it looks like. It is Sunday afternoon around 12:30. You are finally in the car on the way home or to McDonald’s. You breathe a sigh of relief, loosen your tie and enjoy a prolonged period of silence, like say, five seconds. “I didn’t get anything out of that! Did you?” And the usual conversation ensues precisely as if you had just exited the local movie theater. Point is, we are not in church primarily to “get something out of” it as one would watching Pirates of the Caribbean.

For another way to see Christian consumerism surface is in the way we pray. Let me take this route: Were you ever taught A.C.T.S. as a pattern for prayer? “A” stands for Adoration, “C” for Confession, “T” for Thanksgiving and “S” for Supplication. Which of those prayer components is the hardest to do and which one is the only one not focused on me? The answer is the same… “A”! You may say not so… “T” is thanks to God, right? I say that thanksgiving is thanks to God for what He has done for ME. Those of us suffering from Christian consumerism to one degree or another see self as the locus for success of the church/God experience.

“There has got to be more” is an expression that is both legitimate and honorable. But, it must be refined and purified in order to lead us in the right direction. Step One is to repent of our self-orientation when it comes to church.

Next and now we need to recognize the church’s complicity in the problem. Yes, Margaret, there is an elephant in the sanctuary! And, she ain’t moving unless and until we first say with audible clarity, “There-is-an-elephant-in-the-sanctuary!” One of the main reasons you and I come away from church spiritually anemic is because

Remember C.S. Lewis’ quote: “Put first things first and we get second things thrown in: put second things first and we lose both first and second things.”?
I am about to generalize what I feel are the few categories of second-things-first churches:
1. Church is a duty. You have an obligation before God to be here. Never mind that you are bored!
2. Church is about little more than evangelism. Even the Valentine’s Day banquet has an altar call.
3. Church is about church work. You come to church to serve… the church.
4. Church is where we receive our weekly stamp of absolution.
5. Church meets our social needs. It is a great place to meet friends. Belonging to XYZ Christian Church is a clear asset when running for the school board or city council.
6. Church is a generational thing. I go because my parents, their parents, etc. went.
7. Church is about learning the Bible and becoming a better Christian.

Each of these “second things” in this list is of some value. The problem lies in the fact that we have nearly forgotten the First Thing. And, because we do everything except the First Thing, people by the droves are leaving the church in order to find God! Imagine that!

In Part Two of There Has Got To Be More, I will attempt to describe the First Thing we all long for… essentially putting first things first.