Why I despair of church institutions that confine believers to a strait-jacket

MY wife and I spent last weekend with university friends. We had not been together as a group for over 40 years. It would be nice to say that we had not changed a bit but the grey hair and increased physical limitations would have soon put paid to that lie.

We had all been part of the same student Christian Union and one of the interesting things we discovered is what had happened to the faith that we shared then. At the risk of descending into cliché, it is true to say that we have all been on our own journeys. It seemed that faith is still important to all of us but it has taken different directions. Some no longer find church attendance helpful or comfortable but still seek to live the life that God has created them for.

Others make use of the wide-range of online resources to feed, challenge and shape their spirituality. I spent some of the time reflecting (as I often do) that the zealous young man I was in the 1970s would think that the Christian I am now is a bit liberal and wishy-washy.

This is how it should be. Jesus called us to follow him, not to stay where we are. The questions we ask now, the opinions we share, the beliefs that are important to us are signs of growth and life.

The truth is that as years go by (and many of our reunion group shared this view) I seem to believe less and less. But what I do believe, I believe absolutely. I despair of church institutions and practices that seem to confine believers to a strait-jacket but continue to be drawn with wonder and love to the person and teaching of Jesus. I am tired of seeing believers tear each other apart over fine matters of doctrine, yet fail to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, and bring hope to the frightened. Who knows if we will meet again but I trust we will continue to dare pursue the risky path of following Jesus no matter what.

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