Many Christian people are just plain weird. Think about it. We think the devil is in everything. We boycott holidays and demonize the Easter bunny. Don't forget Santa Claus, he's of the devil too. We call every misfortune an act of God. And some famous Christians even get on TV and talk about anointing prayer-arrows (whatever that is).
Others of us try too hard to be “cool” in the eyes of the world. We’ve got Christian karate, Christian candy, and Christian pajamas. We have WWJD bracelets. Huh?
Then there are the conspiracy theorists. We rant and rave about political candidates like the end of the world is coming if so-and-so gets elected; or we believe he/she is the anti Christ. We get caught up in numerology and look for Jesus’ return based upon some hidden code. We forward e-mails way too much (cheesy e-mails that is). We offer greeting-card clichés to real people who are in real trouble.
We are fatalistic in our outlook too. After all, the world is already going to hell in a hand basket. Right? So why bother? Let's stop "occupying" like Jesus said to do, and simpy wait for the judgment of God to fall. It's hard to see a move of God in these end-times when you've adopted that mindset. Such poeple lock themselves inside the church and are simply "holding the fort" with a siege mentality. What's next, universal home schooling? Isolated compounds of Christianity? Jesus prayed, "Father, do not take your people out of the world...just protect them from evil" while they are there (St. John 17:15, 18).
We are addicted to mediocrity. Often we are content with the status quo and do not strive for a standard of excellence. Our worship services reflect less than our best for God, and certainly does not inspire people. Good enough is not good enough when it comes to honoring God. Only our best is good enough.
There’s even an introverted insiders-language that has its own set of terms and vocabulary, to constantly make it possible to be instantly recognized as belonging to the club. Terms, jargon, claims of revelation and slogans become the passport to acceptance within certain circles. When looking at the diversity of Scripture in its content, context, and form, it's hard to imagine that the Bible has anything to do with today's narrow theological sloganeering of Christianity.
Pious platitudes are not deep. Christian sloganeering is not deep. Yet people are addicted to it.
One of the core values at PCC is based upon authenticity; just being real.
“We believe that believers should manifest authenticity in their spiritual growth and personal lives; including their character and relationships.”
Let’s just be real. It’s much more effective as a witness.