What Would Jesus Do?

I have to admit that one of the things I hate about churches is that they are run by humans. The problem with humans is that they will never live up to the standards set by their religion.

There was a great example of this today in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. A Lutheran church that has a contract with county government to provide "day-care" services to vulnerable adults refused to serve one of the adults because she (formerly he) had a sex change operation.

The minister at this church told the STRIB that, "We want to minister to everyone. But this person's outward behavior contradicts the church's teaching."

Clearly someone needs to buy this minister a WWJD bracelet.

Churches should not be in the business of turning away people at the door because they are sinners. What would happen if this Lutheran church turned away every sinner?

Right.

Completely empty church building with no congregation, no staff and no pious minister.

I believe one of the biggest theological problems faced by most churches in America today is that they've decided to rank sins.

Lied to your boss at work this week? C'mon in.
Cheated on your spouse this week? C'mon in.
Had a sex change operation years ago? Go to hell.

For those of you that are Christians, is that really what Jesus did?

The article in the STRIB says that the church feared discomfort among staff and participants in the day care program. Good. I tend to believe that true faith ought to cause a fairly steady dose of discomfort. It did for Jesus, didn't it?

The thesis for Jesus' life on earth was one of discomfort. Born in a manger to ostracized parents. Hanging with the Lepers. Mocked and made fun of. Died on a cross.

The thesis of life for most American Christians today (myself included) involves a house on a golf course, at least one Chevy Tahoe, maid service, lawn service, pool service and an annual mission trip to some impoverished neighborhood that is an amazing spiritual experience that we look forward to every year.

We look forward to our mission trip every year? Annual faith is a comforting thing.

And we value our comfort, don't we. So while we are on the subjet let's make sure you poor folks, queer folks, (colored folks?) stay away from our neighborhoods and our churches. That causes too much discomfort. You just stay in your place and we'll walk in Jesus' shoes and get spiritual with you in your neighborhood again next year.

If you are a person of faith, Christians like to talk about being "Christ-like", then your faith ought to be a daily and hourly thing, not an annual event.

As for me? Well, I'm pretty comfortable in my house near the golf course with two SUVs in the garage, maid service and lawn service. (I'd love to have pool service but we don't have a pool.) I haven't been on a mission trip in years although I do some occaisional volunteer work. I'm a comfort loving human.

But the answer to the question of What Would Jesus Do is pretty simple. He lived in the discomfort of his faith. He welcomed all. He ministered to all.

My suggestion for the Lutheran church in Minnesota is this; if you can't welcome all and are unwilling to minister to all then build a shed out back. At least those turned away at the door might be able to rest for a bit there before continuing on their journey. You could use the shed to store the manger you use for your Christmas service. After all, you only need it once a year.