In my previous blog, I spoke of the Christian subculture. There is more to be said on that subject. I think one of the reasons for the ineffectual nature of many Christians and their churches -- at least in this part of the country -- is the fact that it is so easy for many of them to never really rub elbows with anyone who does not believe as they do. While we never want to isolate ourselves from sound relationships and the encouragement and instruction we need, neither is it good to live continually in the Christian ghetto.

An acquaintance of mine sells furniture all over the world. No door-to-door salesman, he runs a 60-million dollar operation and is highly successful at what he does. Once I asked him how he got his start. He said that when he started in the industry, he discovered that the products the manufacturers were producing were not what the customers wanted. Seeing an opportunity and being an entrepreneur, he made renderings of the types and colors of furniture his customers frequently requested and went to the factory managers with them. The result was his business boomed.

Sometimes I think this is an accurate metaphor of the modern Church. We are not "producing", so to speak, what our congregations need because we are frequently poorly informed about what life outside of the Christian bubble is like. Consequently, we don't really know what the questions are, much less the answers.

This is not to say that all churches are ineffectual. I want to be clear on that point. Some are equipping their people effectively. A few of my friends are in the pastorate and are doing some great work. But this seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Sometimes we forget that the Church is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Consequently, we can easily confuse the size of our congregations and budgets with the scope of our cultural impact.

Let us not forget the model Jesus gave us. He engaged people of many different backgrounds, nationalities, political views, and convictions. If we are to be effective, we must be willing to do the same. But I warn you: you are likely to be criticized for it. Jesus was.