Disconnect

Despite our technological connectedness -- iPhones, netbooks and whatnot -- there's still evidence of a pretty noticeable disconnect in Christian circles these days. For one thing, the American society today tends to be polarized over political, ethical and economic issues, and that spills over into the churches. The once-innocuous adult Sunday school class discussion can feel like an emotional minefield when certain "hot" topics are mentioned. Too often there's a disconnect between the pulpit and the pew, between pastor and people. The chasm between congregation and seminary has been wide for a long time.

Perhaps it's inevitable that such disconnects exist among disciples, given the great diversity and pluralism in modern society and the variety of experiences and value systems that are present in the typical congregation. Yet there is no doubt that this sense of cross-purposes affects our evangelistic endeavors. Maybe it is not necessary to speak with one voice, as representatives of the church. But isn't it essential to speak with one heart?

The multilayered disconnect that Christians may feel, however, is much greater for the secular person. The person who does not consider him/herself religious has precious few resources to call on for making important life decisions. There's the legal system, of course, plus generally accepted moral standards that roughly coincide with the laws. But increasingly it is clear that people do "what is right in their own eyes," as a phrase from Scripture puts it. This lack of spiritual and moral mooring does not auger well. Jesus' followers need to put their own sense of disconnect in perspective and renew a commitment to helping others come to a life-shaping, life-saving, life-abounding, life-unending faith in Christ.