DESTROYING THE CHURCH

“We need to destroy the church.” These are the exact words I heard come from the mouth of a pastor at a conference nearly ten years ago. When he said them, the crowd of mostly young people roared in affirmation. In the midst of this, I sat in my chair and wondered if this is the best we can do.

I often hear many speak of their frustration with the Church. I can understand this. There have been many times (and there are still many times) when I felt the same way – as did this pastor. His idea was to blow it up. While this can feel good, it is not lasting and horribly shortsighted.

Several years ago a friend bought an old house. He planned to renovate it from top to bottom. He called me to see if I was willing to help him demo the kitchen, dining room and living room. When he said he had sledgehammers I was in.

I destroyed that place. Dry wall was flying around, light fixtures were shattering and counter tops were demolished. I even broke a few things he wanted to keep. Never before have I released so much stress in such a short time.

When we finished I asked him what was next. He told me we had to clean up, and then begin the renovation. Nothing in me wanted to be a part of either of those things. Destroying was fun, but building something seemed like work. More than this, I am terrible at construction and building things.

Anyone can tear down, but it takes skill, creativity and hard work to build something that lasts. If the response to our frustration with the Church is to destroy it; we will have nothing left to pass on to the next generation. We can do better. In fact, I think we can continue to build something that will last.

Now, I’d like to speak some words to the younger generation, of which I am a part. Several people tell me that I am not as young as I think anymore. One person even told me recently I am an “aging hipster.” Nonetheless, some words for us.

It is easy to hate your “parents’ church.” Some of the reasons you may have for hating it are good and right. However, one thing we ought to see is the generation before us built something that lasted long enough for us to have it too. It wasn’t perfect and some of it is really ugly. But there are some things that are beautiful and good and need to be preserved.

Rather than tear it all down, perhaps we need to renovate. Go ahead, rage against it with a sledgehammer, but not before you have plans to do something new. If you take out a wall, be sure to put something new in place.

Rather than bail out on the Church, perhaps we should stay in and ask what kind of Church we want the next generation to inherit from us. This is an amazing opportunity, gift and responsibility given to us, and we cannot afford to miss it. What will we be remembered for?

Sure it will be more difficult, but no one said this would be easy. You’re mind, heart and imagination are too wonderful for you to leave in frustration. You have the opportunity to do something that will last long after you are gone.

Now, I’d like to speak some words to the older generation. Yes, I know older can feel offensive, and many of you do not feel your age. Allow me to rephrase, “… some words to my friends who have age and experience.”

Let me start by saying, “Thank you.” Whatever you have done you have given something to us. You and I both know it is not perfect, and I’m sure you can tell us a lot of things you have done wrong. But whatever you did, it’s lasted. You were given something by the generation ahead of you, and passed it on to us.

Our hope is that we will care for it well, but we won’t stop there. Through innovation and imagination we hope to add to its beauty. Sure, some things will be removed. We might rip up the old carpet, restore the wood floors and we will definitely get rid of the couches you like. But we don’t want to destroy the house.

For us to do this well, we need you. You’ve done this before, and we have not. You are in a place to offer us guidance and wisdom. You can help us see the mistakes we are bound to make before you make them, and can give us the confidence and encouragement we need when we do fail. We need you, and allow me to say this: you need us too.

We have all been handed the responsibility to care for the Church, so that the Church can care well for the world. I imagine none of us really want to destroy her – she’s far too beautiful for that. And with time, and by God’s grace and goodness she will be far more beautiful in the years to come.