Every year we keep running statistics on the consumption of certain summer foods, in particular, watermelons, cantaloupes, and, believe it or not, rhubarb custard pie. How this began is uncertain, though a major portion of related discussion focused on a ten-point scale with ten representing the highest rating. After some practice we have now become quite consistent (obsessed) in grading the melons and cantaloupes.
We’re off to a slow start this year. Four watermelons have averaged a disappointing 4.2 due to a throw away looked-good-in-the-moment candidate. Cantaloupes have fared somewhat better but their hardness thus far has kept them slightly over five. As for the rhubarb, we are three pies behind where we were last year at this time with only ten made and consumed thus far. We have yet to crack the code on any of the three but it doesn’t keep us from seeking perfection.
A lot of churches love keeping score in similar fashions. How do we rate the new person coming in the door for the first time. Are they dressed right and do they express all the right language to fit in with others? Is their last name fitting for the church and its history. Forgive the melon analogies that lean toward round and plump or sounding ripe when seriously thumped. Well-rounded might apply, but what do we do with the yellow spot on the bottom? Is the presence of insects something good or bad?
See how quickly arbitrary standards fall apart when it comes to judging others. Even with best intent, there comes a moment that abundantly represents the absurdity of what we are about. How would we have judged Jesus’ disciples if we knew nothing about them until that first moment when they were called? I’m sure we would have huffed a bit before reluctantly getting on board, but then again, our egos might have kept us away entirely.
The institutional church must do better. Canvassing a neighborhood might have worked in the past when there were plenty of potential church members in every community, but the wind has now changed and is blowing from an altered direction. It is a breeze filled with concerns: decreasing attendance, aging church generations, drastically fewer full-time pastors, and greater consumer choice related to choosing churches and a faith perspective that is part of a broader theological base. The religious consumer is savvy and quick at discovering that questions matter. How the church responds is of great import. Who do we say were are?
Imagine sliding scale feedback for our churches, something that is already happening in the cyber world that inundates our lives. Would the populism present in online wanderings continue to strip away the goodness of the church and the people that make is so? That is for each church to decide. There are few, if any answers but a lot of great questions.
Until then, we will continue to seek the perfect watermelons and cantaloupe, though truthfully, we’re never exceeded nine on the scale. I am quite sure we can break the record for the pie, however. (kf)
Haxtun Church Of The Brethren 