Serving Bread

We are yet again in a season of looking for a church community. While I’ve been in such seasons before, this particular one has revealed a bit of the biases that have shaped my search for a church community. When I’ve been in this season before, I have ranked the convictions that I most value and I’ve chosen to worship at a church that matches most of those values. I also rank the characteristics of a church that stand in opposition to my values, convictions and theology. And those characteristics also help me determine where to worship.

A few weeks ago, I have realized that there is an unspoken desire in me (and perhaps in many others) about how to do church. I found myself primarily attracted to churches that consist of people that are a lot like me–similar income bracket, educational background, and family life. In exploring my biases, I discovered that some of my sinfulness looks for a church that doesn’t have too many “needy” people. I’m attracted to the stereotypical church in the suburbs where people with various addictions and troubles is more of an exception than the norm. (And we love it when “those people” come because we get to help them!)

On a cognitive level, I understand that church brings people of various backgrounds to worship one God. Our witness in our unity is not because we share so much in common. Our witness in our unity is because we worship the same God and are in community with people who are different from us. In my ministry at CSUN, I have preached and built a fellowship where I encouraged that people of all backgrounds can come and worship together. But in my own personal life, I have found comfort to be with people who understand and know me because we share so much in common.

The past couple of months have challenged me to confess my sinful desires for commonality and have focused me to wonder what it would be like to be in community with people who are different than me? Jesus revealed his identity to an outcast at a well, broke bread with the equivalent of a slumlord, empowered a man who had battled many demons in his life, and befriended influential religious teachers. I’m glad to learn from Jesus.