I think that the modern American church is off center.  I believe that most of these churches exist to be a social club.  People come to be seen by others, talk, listen to some music, try not to fall asleep during a sermon, and leave.  I don't think God intended the church to be like that.  I feel like the church is supposed to be a revolution.  It's supposed to turn the world on it's head.  Jesus didn't call us to be good sermon listeners.  He called us to something radical.  I think the something radical is what draws people to Him.  The main tenants of Jesus teaching in the Gospels lead me to some conclusions. [1] We are supposed to be counter-cultural.  I don't mean we should withdraw from the world, I mean we go places that others won't.  Jesus healed lepers.  The vicious fast moving skin disease made these people social outcasts.  They were unclean.  Yet Jesus went to them and met their needs.  He ate dinner with tax collectors.  These were Jews that went to work for Rome and ripped off their own people.  These guys got rich off of the mistreatment of the Jews.  Yet Jesus knew they needed someone to reach out to them.  [2] Jesus challenged the status quo.  The Pharisees and Sadducees are seen as the bad guys in the New Testament, but really they are guys that took the relationship with God and distorted it.  Jesus would not put up with their stuff.  He had many a showdown with them.  So in summation, we need to go where our culture won't, [the poor, the oppressed, the downcast], and we need  to stop keeping business as usual.

I firmly believe that it is time to rethink the way we are as Christians.  If you aren't reaching out to others, what are you doing?  If you aren't serving, what are you doing?  Our world is incredibly attuned now to helping others.  AIDS is something that has really hit our generation.  The world wants to end the AIDS crisis.  Look at Product(RED).  I also belong to ONE.org.  They want to attack and end world poverty.  Where is the church on these issues?  Why aren't churches creating these cultural pushes and awarenesses? 

What could happen in the world if Christians really became Jesus?  We are the only Jesus that many people will come in contact with.  Are we doing Jesus justice?  Do people see Jesus, or an intolerant person unwilling to hear other peoples' views?  Do we as Christians know any nonChristians?  If not, is that a problem?  I say yes.  I say that if we just hang out with Christians, how can we reach the world.  Most people the need Jesus the most won't "come to church to get saved."  We need to take our own responsbilities seriously and reach out to the those who need Him.

Here are some practical things I'm trying to do, because I am very bad at these things as we.

[1] Become a regular somewhere.  I go to City BBQ at least once a week, sometimes more.  Because of this I'm getting to know the people the work there.  Do I blatantly talk to them about "getting saved."  No, but one day the relationship that is being fostered may lead to discussions that could lead to that.

[2] Talk to strangers.  I think I'm becoming my Dad, but I've started cracking jokes to strangers in checkout lines, and anytime I talk to someone I don't know.  I find that when people see you in a good mood, not ticked about waiting, or whatever, that can have a profound impact on their life.

[3] Be open to conversation.  Man, I like talking to people that don't think exactly like me.  I like having to explain my position.  I don't like forcing my position on others, but if a conversation is happening, I like to push and be pushed on.  The key to conversation is not what you say, but what you listen to.  Listen.

Do I think the church is a horrible place today?  No way.  I just see areas where we need to be more like Jesus.  By building walls and rules, we are cutting off people from what they really need, and that's Jesus.  Let's be relational.  Let's be accepting.  Let's be Jesus.