One of the interesting parts of my journey has been the initial isolation you feel when you begin the trek down a different path. The further I go down the path the more I come across others who are on the similar journeys. Today I discovered the blog of Jim Palmer. Just reading his current post, “you can’t get there from here (or can you)“, I found myself excited. One of the sentences that got me really excited was this one:
i don’t feel the need to cling to the label “Christian,” and i am okay with people who don’t think i am one.
I too have gone through a period where I was not quite sure what I had become and didn’t know how to answer the question “are you a Christian”? I can say that the only folks I’ve come across who question my relationship to God are those who are typical church goers. Especially those with whom we attended church or served on their church staff at some point. Most think we’ve had some deep hurt from the church and have turned our backs on it. We get that blank look that comes after you tell them and it’s obvious they are hoping we’ll get over it at some point and return. But when you’ve had steak you can’t settle for SPAM any longer when you don’t have to.
On the other hand, when we come across unbelievers or others going down this same path we are on, we don’t get those questions or the stares. And oddly enough, the unbelievers just notice something “different” about us and because we’re not all “churchy” they actually open up and pour out their souls to us. The opposite of the reactions we used to get, and never noticed before because we were too church-strung, of the blank stare and obviously trying to think of an answer that allows them to slip away from the encounter never to have to see us again.
So, as Jim I don’t cling to, and actually shy away from, the term “Christian” these days because of the association that it conjures in the mind of others. I’ve landed on the term Christ Follower. It’s much more descriptive of where I am and where I am headed.
Ahhh…..Freash Air! I can finally breath, and therefore LIVE!!!
There are many, many of US out there walking around on a journey. Some thinking they are doing it alone. They and you are not alone.
I’ve just linked to your site after looking at Jim Palmer’s site.
I’ve been on this journey outside the four walls of traditional Christianity for some 40 years.
I met Dale and Felicity Dale in London in 2000 and I started reading “So you don’t want to go to church anymore” when Wayne Jacobsen and his friend had only written the first three chapters.
I have also seen your link to Spirited Exchanges.
They say that there is a book inside each of us – but I’ve created a web site instead that is basically a reflection of my journey of life – especially since 1995 when I was forced into the position of reconsidering just about everything I had ever believed.
I’m about to reply to Jim’s question.
Am I a Christian? It depends on your definition. One of the major influences on my thinking was an article entitled “The Rise and Fall of Christendom” by Stuart Murray where he gives a controversial definition of Christendom (you will be able to find it on my web site)
I haven’t actually been faced with the situation, but I like to think of someone saying “I don’t believe in God”. I’d like to be able to respond, “Tell me something about this God you don’t believe in. Maybe I don’t believe in him either”
I’ll come back to your blog later – I’d love to share some of your journey.
Pete
You know what is funny, Jenn (my wife) met a girl at the gym who used to attend church, and no longer does because of the pressure to be perfect, as well as the, if you don’t go here then you’re not “in.” She said that she didn’t like most church attenders. Jenn’s response to her was “me either!” Her friend was very surprised, since she knew we attended a local church, but if Jesus was willing to accept the hurting, then we should too. Let’s not spend all of our time persuading others to come to our church, but hope that they desire to be like Christ because of how we live our lives. The best example (good or bad) will be your own. Ray had a good post today that reminds us “as you go, make disciples” not while you are in a pew.
I can’t remember who suggested that the ultimate vision is to have no vision of your own.
I may be getting close to that – maybe because I’m finding it difficult to remember what I have said and written in the past.
On the other hand I recognise it’s time for a fresh start but …
Jim Palmer has recently created a new Yahoo group – Shedding Religion.
I made a post the other day – http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sheddingreligion/message/151
I’d be interested in your thoughts.
It’s easy for someone who has never been in a leadership position within a church to question the place of ‘church’ and ‘theology’ or even the purpose of life – but I sense these questions need to be dealt with.
Without a right foundation, how can anyone begin to preach the truth of the gospel message?