Part-time Christians?

Dear Friends in Christ,

I can’t begin to tell you how blessed I was being able to spend most of the week at WAPO with our kids in June.  It was a blessing to observe and experience God’s Spirit at work through the worship services and singing, Bible studies and devos, even at the Gaga Pit and 9-Square.  I got to listen in on kids talking about how the stories of the Bible connect with their daily lives and impact their faith.  I heard powerful, authentic prayers from surprising young mouths and hearts.
Selfishly, I love going to WAPO, because it is a spiritually uplifting experience for me.  But there was something different and sobering that came up this year at camp, which I have heard echoes of not only in our congregation and community, but across the country through the various ministry networks I am connected to.

It started during registration on Sunday afternoon, when I heard: “I’m so glad to be at camp, now I can get my God-fix for the year!”

Yep, that is exactly what I heard.  ““Glad I’m at camp to get my God-fix for the year!”

I heard this same sentiment and attitude, not just from one young person, but from many.  Not just from incredibly busy high school kids, but from middle school and elementary school kids too.

Being a Christian, growing in faith, living as a disciple of Jesus Christ is something that, in their own words and self-perception, they do one week a year!  Are we raising “Part-time Christians?”  Are we becoming “Part-time Christians?”

The numbers seem to reinforce this disturbing reality!

Before going further, here’s little word about the difference between guilt and shame, for a culture full of people that fears and avoids guilt, from researcher Brene Brown:

GUILT = I did something bad.

SHAME = I am bad.

Guilt is good and necessary to help us clarify our values and morals as opposed to our behaviors and attitudes, which leads, hopefully, to changing our lives and priorities, and growing to maturity.
Are we guilty of being Part-time Christians?  YES.

Are we guilty of making Part-time Christians?  YES.

When Jesus says, “Abide in me as I abide in you,” he does not necessarily mean spend more time at church, or attend more meetings.  HOWEVER, the faith practices of regular (meaning more than once a month, or once a year) worship, prayer, praise, learning, serving, giving, and connecting with other Christians, is a critically significant part of what it means to ABIDE IN JESUS!  Abiding in Jesus Christ, is about a daily, life-long relationship in, with, and through Him.  It is not a part-time relationship!

The question and issue for us individually is: what do you need to START doing and STOP doing, so that you, and your family, can abide in a loving relationship with Jesus Christ, and bear fruit for God’s Kingdom in every day in every way?

Here is a prescription for treating “Part-time Christian-itis” (none of which are my original ideas):

1. Worship regularly, expecting God to show up and touch you in some way.
2. Practice faith at home every night in every home! (see Rich Melheim’s resources)
   1. Have family “candle time” (see Lyle Griner’s resources – especially his new “candle time” resource!)
   2. Share your highs and lows
   3. Read a portion of scripture
   4. Talk about how it might relate to your highs, lows, and daily life
   5. Pray for each other (thanks for the Highs, help for the Lows)
   6. Bless each other (make the sign of the cross on your foreheads)
3. Serve others, through the church, school, work, or community.
4. Give generously both to support the ministries of the church, but also good causes that positively impact people’s lives and creation.
5. Get involved with a small group or some other ministry to connect with other Christians for mutual support and care.

The harder question, for me, is how do we as the church need to change too?  What do we as the church need to START doing and STOP doing, so that everyone, active disciples, part-time disciples, and even seekers and visitors, can abide in a loving relationship with Jesus Christ, and bear fruit for God’s Kingdom in every day in every way?  Perhaps in the process of growing in our faith habits together, and listening deeply to God and the stories, hopes, dreams, and hurts of others, God will change our hearts and show the way.