The Church Itself Needs a Resurrection

Easter Sunday is upon us. After weeks of squabbling over school shootings and a week of what appears to be a sexual scandal in the Southern Baptist Convention, let us begin with a hymn from the true heart of the Christian fundamentalist and conservative evangelical churches in the United States today. You may join in and sing along by clicking on the following safe video clip, turning up the volume, and then singing the lyrics below it (scroll down):

OutLaw Man

Outlaw Man

by

David Blue

I am an outlaw, I was born an outlaw’s son
The highway is my legacy
On the highway I will run
In one hand I’ve a Bible
In the other I’ve got a gun
Well, don’t you know me
I’m the man who won
Woman don’t try to love me
Don’t try to understand
A life upon the road is the life of an outlaw……man

First left my woman, it was down in Santa Fe
Headed for Oklahoma, I was ridin’ night and day
All of my friends are strangers,
They quickly come and go

And all my love’s in danger,
‘Cause I steal hearts and souls
Woman, don’t try to love me
Don’t try to understand

A life upon the road is the life of an outlaw…..man

Woman, don’t try to love me
Don’t try to understand
A life upon the road is the life of an outlaw

Some men call me Abel,
Some men call me Cain,
Some men call me sinner, Lord
Some men call me saint

Some say there’s a Jesus
Some men say there ain’t
When you got no life to lose
Then there’s nothin’ left to gain
Outlaw man
Outlaw man.

 

Clearly, a reformation and resurrection of the Christian fundamentalist and conservative evangelical churches in the United States must occur—or they shall surely die. Millennial children raised in these churches are fleeing from them by the millions when they reach the ages 18-24.

My on-line Christian friend, Ms. Emma Higgs in the United Kingdom, has some kind and loving thoughts on how such churches might begin the process of reformation and resurrection to bring them into alignment with the full heart of Jesus as presented in the New Testament. Will the “withered old screws” who run these hemorrhaging American churches listen to her and take action?  Nope!!!  Not a chance in the world!!! They are petrified with fear—have blinders on their eyes—have fingers in their ears—and possess too much personal pride and arrogance to be able to hear truth.

Nonetheless, Emma still has some great ideas about where they could begin—or maybe where you could begin in your church—even if it is not a fundie church.  You may read her great ideas by clicking on the following safe link:

How to Keep Millennials Engaged in Church.

Jesus has risen!!!  Much love to all of you and have a Blessed Easter Sunday!!!