Working on character defects means going against the grain
If you ever visited our church, you would not be overly impressed. We struggle to define ourselves in large part because we don’t try to unless someone presses us. Various attempts have been made: are we a recovery church, a church in recovery, a treatment facility, a ministry - who are we? Our favorite tagline is, “We are not much of a church.” We have no strategic goals or mission statement. We do not keep a membership roll and we are hopeless at the administrative tasks that enable more traditional churches to grow and thrive. Most churches focus on what they can give; often we are surprised by what we receive.
Our cheap chairs were getting old and starting to collapse on people and we needed to buy new ones. As a pure gift, the business owner discounted the new cushy chairs AND offered us some free modular pieces that made for comfy sitting in our common area. Inspired by this new look, I went to the local Home Goods store and purchased some soft white plush accent pillows, a chunky afghan to throw over the back of one of the sofas, candles, fake plants and a couple end tables. As I was checking out, the clerk commented, “You must be redecorating your den.”
“No, my church! I’m super excited!” I gushed.
Her head popped up and she stared in shock. “This does not look appropriate for a church.” She scowled to emphasize my poor choosing.
“Well,” I said, “we’re not much of a church.”
“Why do you go there then?” She asked, clearly confused.
“I’m the pastor.” I responded. Silence. She couldn’t get rid of me fast enough. Readiness for God to remove our defects of character involves not just talking, reading, considering or expressing our spirituality in the ways that others (and ourselves) recognize. It is about experiencing life in a new way. It’s not about conforming to expectations. Just because churches usually have stuffy and rigid furniture does not mean they have to.
Spirituality makes us capable of specific kinds of experiences, ones that might be unexpected, or go against the grain. Not many people truly examine their character defects- it isn’t normal. If we are available to, however, we can see and understand God, ourselves, and others differently. This new way of being frees us from the grip of our shortcomings in ways that are mysterious and attributable only to God! This new way of seeing and being goes great with big chunky afghans and cozy seating arrangements.
