“It is hard to escape the conclusion that today, one of the greatest roadblocks to the gospel of Jesus Christ is the institutional church. The student protester who held up a placard “Jesus Yes! Christianity No!” was expressing a sentiment widely felt: The institutional church too often represents something radically different from the Jesus Christ of the Bible.” – 1st paragraph of chapter 1, The Problem of Wineskins, by Howard A. Snyder, 1975
Wow! What a way to begin a book! This quotation reminded me of the long, winding road that has been my life. Not only did I read this book back in the 70s, but from the earliest stages of my Christian life, I have been actively involved in an attempt to break out of the shackles of the institutional, albeit “contemporary” church. Early on, I got a taste of what it could be like to be part of a loving family or community of believers that would resemble the early church of Jesus. One where practicing our faith together was an integral part of our daily lifestyles. And where traditions and status quo patterns would yield to the spontaneous move of the Holy Spirit.
But now, this often seems more like an elusive dream! God began stirring my heart afresh with this longing while still in Ecuador, and I was passionate about pursuing it when I returned to Texas. Since arriving, I have been reminded that I have not been alone in this struggle. I am humbled to remember that many of my brothers in Christ have been fighting in the same trenches as me, but just in different locations. Quite a few of them have done better than me in making a dent in this process, but others have either burned out or become content with only slight modifications in their ministries.
Many of my fellow pioneers also chose a path of writing and preaching this message to reshape the church radically. We hungered to see the Body of Christ more accurately reflect the life of Jesus and the early church. We tried to reimagine and fashion a “new wineskin”, but the change has been painfully slow in coming. We began in zeal, only later realizing that this race would be a marathon. My reentry into Texas has powerfully demonstrated this, as I have been reminded that in structure and function, the vast majority of churches still all look and feel the same. It is so pervasive and predictable!
The only variations seem to be peripheral, like a few doctrinal or ministerial preferences. Otherwise, it always revolves around buildings, programs, one’s favorite “pastor”, and putting on the “Sunday show.” A true sense of community and personal discipleship are minimal at best, and real growth or revival are both inhibited by these structures and practices. Contentment with these slight, cosmetic differences will only perpetuate the downhill slide of the church’s struggle to be relevant and influential in our modern society.
Since returning to the United States after serving as a missionary for five years in Ecuador, my life has been thrust into a reentry phase of deep refection and reevaluation. This has been both challenging and discouraging at times, because I have had to face the reality of my own shortcomings and the many mistakes of my own past. I know God was calling me to a new and radical mission to rekindle something new and powerful in the Body of Christ, so now I bow my knee to the realization that God knew it was best to start with me! The deep conviction that God has spent untold tears and many years preparing me for this time has been met with severe attacks emanating from my own doubts, as well as the enemy of our souls. The resulting clash left me on the brink of giving up once again.
What shall I do now? The revelation and burden that God Himself deposited into my heart so long ago is still out of my grasp. I often wonder if this is just an elusive dream, or perhaps… a curse, or a cross that I must bear. I guess the verdict is still out…