a little venting about Christians

GOD TREASURES CHRISTIANS

That was the latest Church sign that made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.  This is the nice church I drive by almost every day up on a hill out of the way, they keep their grass cut beautifully.  Isaac loved looking out the window of his preschool at the church across the street.  Their sign has never really been 'annoying'.  By annoying, I mean every week there is some Christian cliche that makes you wonder if pagans would ever walk in a church again after seeing that quote.  

But this one did it.  People may argue with me that it is all the medicine I take, but ever since my CPE residency I have the ability to sit in an anger filled rage, but appear to be in a zen state.  So as I shook my head, I decided not to drive the car into the sign.  Really, we only have one car that works again this month so we need our trusty car.  

So what passage did I preach on last week, but Luke 15-- the lost coin and lost sheep.  You know, the one where God treasures the LOST.  There are no more labels.  non-christian, christian  just lost. and not lost- those with the rest- the 99 that are waiting, in community, the other coins waiting.  those who rejoice and party with the shepherd and the woman.  the community.

I SO WANTED to include a 10 minute rant on this in my sermon, but did NOT as I had used crazy sign man a few weeks ago as a sermon illustration.  (he's the crazy fundamentalist who believes everyone is going to hell for something, seriously- you are a woman, you got a tattoo, you are gay and he puts signs up in his yard for all who drive by to see on a very busy road- hwy 36 where i live)...

But, one thing I did say on Sunday, I had learned while studying.  In my most beloved commentary Feasting on the Word Commentary, the author pointed out the difference between 'saving' the lost and 'welcoming' the lost.  I had never put it together...all these years.  When we use terms like 'saving' souls or lost or non-christian or pagans, we have power 'over'.  This is not the way of Jesus.  (ps. apologies to you author if i have totally messed with your intent)

Instead, we welcome the lost into our communities of faith & doubt and anything in between.  We welcome each other, because many days we are the lost.  We may not be far off, but right in the middle of the action believing that WE ARE THE ONLY ONES.  

If I read Luke 15 correctly, God does not treasure Christians, God treasures all God's people and it may even appear that God treasures the 'lost' more than those who are not.  

So please if you decide to call yourself a Christian, please, please, please stop making it so damn easy for the rest of humanity to ignore you.  We don't want to be a part of your exclusive club.  

We want to party with the woman who found her coin, learn what it means to rejoice as a community, and welcome whoever walks in and out the door.  

Welcome Home.  Welcome Home. I'd say.