Ten Things I Wish Evangelicals Would Stop Doing
10.) Act as if justice is simply a social issue and not a biblical one.
9.) Reduce the Christian life to individualism.
8.) Major in the minors theologically.
7.) Stop saying “hate the sin, but love the sinner” when we don’t do it.
6.) Feel comfortable with segregated church.
5.) Confuse political ideology with biblical theology.
4.) Act as if race, class, and gender are no longer issues to be dealt with.
3.) Avoid prophetic preaching.
2.) Missing out on being blessed by women in pastoral leadership.
1.) Ignoring the biblical mandate of reconciliation.
Tags: biblical, class, Efrem Smith, evangelical, justice, leadership, reconciliation, sin, theology, women, www.efremsmith.com, www.kbm.org, www.pswc.org
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Thanks for your list. Some day I will learn to write brief blog posts – some day.
I would add to the list:
Stop minimizing the impact that the Gospel can have in the lives of children (be proactive rather than reactive)
Stop using diversity and multicultural as buzz words and actually be committed to it.
Can I request further implication and insight on number 8 and number 3? What came to mind in including them in your list?
Amen to that my friend! That list pretty much highlights 10 sermons that I have preached since being invited to re-invent First Covenant, Minneapolis into a Diverse, Multi-Generational, Urban Christian Community.
Blessings on your work,
Dan
Good list. I would argue that political ideology and “biblical” ideology are not so easily disentangled or necessarily mutually exclusive. In a patriarchal society such as the one from which the bible emerged political ideology operates on many levels and it can be seen in the bible–partially what I mean by political ideology is the promotion of hierarchical power relations based on gender and/or access to resources. It is there in the bible and it is to be separated from the God about whom the Bible testifies.
Excellent points, Efrem – I’m so glad you are our superintendent here in the PSWC and can help us stop doing these things! I can think of people within my congregation who would get hot under the collar over each and every one of your “ten things,” defending their feelings and positions in various ways, thinking what they’ve always believed (assumed!) is perfectly right, biblical, “Christian.” All 10 of these resonate with me as important concerns and challenges that need to be faced, owned up to, and repented of, if we are going to be able to reach people outside of organized Christianity today. I gained tremendous insight and wisdom on how to approach these touchy topics in helpful ways through Dan Collison’s workshop at the Midwinter, “Church In Translation.” Thanks Efrem.
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This is good. Really good. Dare I say, even prophetic?
What’s awesome about this list is that it’s so funny and yet so true at the same time.
Thanks, Efram, for this great reminder. I will share with Richard Coleman at our next lunch and pray for ways to reverse these all too true realities here in the Twin Cities.
What refreshment to hold justice and equality lifted up, from the waters of scripture and not ignored. In Seminary they said I would never lead a meeting, laughingly. Last week I led three, preached the gospel, led worship and praise God for his providence beyond human prejudice.
I agree with most of what you posted. However, I would like to know your biblical support for #2. I do agree that we miss out on what women have to offer in the church, but they are not given the right to be pastors. I would like your support especially how it is going to line up with the pastoral letters. Blessings.
Would love for you to worship with me at my church. I’d attend Tony Evans church in Dallas except I’d have to drive a long way from my N. Texas home. Nothing is closer to Heaven than worshiping in His created colors!! (just white, by the Designer)
I appreciate this list and mostly agree, and I would add, I wish evangelicals would stop acting superior to others (especially other Christians), judging others by their frame of reference (a classic expression of ethnocentrism).
But, I would say, these are generalizations, broad strokes, and you don’t comment on where you see these things happening, etc.; so in the end, I don’t find this “list” specific enough to be helpful.
Efrem, I resonate with your list. Blessings to you and family.
I would also add ” Stop supporting the idea that the ends justify the means, including the use of illegal or what might be considered by the world unethical actions.” Within the Evangelical Covenant over the past decade or so we have had many who use the terms “justice ministry” or “social justice” who have stooped to practices which should be considered inappropriate, if not out right disgraceful, to achieve “ministry goals” ( breaking and entering into private property to move in the homeless, misappropriate ministry monies to areas the original donors never intended, harassment of those who have different views, etc….). We need to trust God and his power to achieve his ends.
This list is spot on… Justice and reconciliation are words not clearly defined in many churches, and watered down versions or complete avoidance of the issues are not acceptable ways of dealing with it! What does the Kingdom of God truly look like? From the scriptures, it looks like a place where all people receive what they need, are not separated from others because of who they are, all people (regardless of culture, race, and sex) worship together (Rev. gives a great picture of this!), and the lost hear a message of hope and restoration to God. The church is called to mirror the Kingdom of God on earth.
A good list. I like it. I’ve linked to it on my Facebook page.
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Love reconciliation. We don’t like to do it because it means forgiving and it means letting go of our “rightness” and it means loving. It can mean making ourselves susceptible to hurt. But it is a picture of the gospel, God restoring reconciliation with us.