Not So Stupid Church People

The other morning I was watching CNN and saw a story about college students who were using their Spring Break to go down to New Orleans and assist folks there in cleaning up. The morning host interviewed two of the students who were part of Campus Crusade for Christ group, and I was deeply impressed and strongly encouraged by their commitment and the manner in which they spoke while being interviewed. They didn't use Christian lingo. They said the word "like" about a million times each, sprinkling it throughout the dialogue. They didn't say "the Lord" at each and every opportunity to "get the message out". They were nervous, anxious, excited, enthusiastic, genuine and pretty damn funny.

In short, these kids appeared N-O-R-M-A-L.

Remember what being "NORMAL" means?

I am so glad CNN or the leadership over at Campus Crusade used these students to tell the story. Imagine how different it would have been had one of the uppity-ups over at that organization had been interviewed. Maybe it wouldn't have sounded different, but I think it would have been filled with God-language and platitudes.

These students sounded like, well, students. Real students. Normal students.

They were church people mind you, but they were "Not So Stupid Church People".

In their own little world most of the time, church people "dumb themselves down" to the rest of society hence the appropriateness of our name for them - "Stupid Church People". My biggest problem with most church people I know (myself included in the very near past) is how utterly ignorant we are of our culture. Oh, we think we are being "relevant" and that is one of our watchwords or mottos, but we are so completely and thoroughly clueless. Most (especially many full-time church leaders) have lost their ability to write, speak or even communicate on a daily basis in such a way as to be truly relevant. Some attempt to do so, but fall short.

One thing I have realized is that this "sub-culture" is so ingrained in me, that I may never recover. But there is hope in our youth. It is our job to help those that come after us to be a different kind of Christian. If someone chooses to enter into the sub-culture of church, do so responsibly. Church leaders should seek to assist those within their congregation to develop "normal" lives... not one that is codependent on church gatherings, small groups or meetings. This doesn't breed anything other than isolation from those the church is seeking to influence - the real world.

NORMAL. Sounds nice. We should all try it sometime.

I think "Not So Stupid Church People" might be a great name for a website for stories like this. I know there are plenty of believers in the world, even some church people, that are making a difference with no hidden agendas. Not many, but some. They are offering things to people, contributing to society, assisting those in need without wanting anything in return or hoping to promote their church. They are writing, creating music, painting, drawing and creating for the love of the art. Some are just everyday people that go to work, come home, coach their kids soccer teams, are good neighbors and kind people for absolute no reason at all - except that is what you are supposed to be. Not extraordinary people but simply ordinary, you know.....NORMAL.

But we don't need a website called "Not So Stupid Church People", because that's what this website is about anyway. It's not only about pointing out the "stupid" in the church (although that's what pays the bills and brings people in - it's a kind of reverse, twisted "church growth" way of doing it). SCP is about promoting the "not so stupid church person" and we have done it and will do it every chance we get....we'd love to do it more, but it's a rare and endangered species.