Imago Dei

Something about my faith (the noun, not the verb) grows everytime I read new articles from the Burnside Writer’s Collective. This time it’s an article about Hispanic services at church. Jeff wrote the article in response to a friend who remarked that churches with Hispanic services support illegal aliens.

Before I proceed, I want to admit that I don’t know much about the politics involved in recent issues of immigration, especially in regards to controlling the influx of Latinos coming through the Mexican border. I know that it is a hot topic, and there are a variety of opinions out there. I don’t profess to know the answer to such political dilemmas, but that’s not what this conversation was about. It was about Hispanic places of worship and the white American Church “catering” to them.

A worship service consists of more than going through familiar motions. A really good worship service involves feeling. The multitude of believers (some more multitudinous than others) gather in one company, in one voice, lifting up the one Lord, Jesus Christ. It can be incredibly moving and inspiring.

Now, the ever-present question is, how do we worship? And the answer is different in every culture. Hispanics worship in a much different style than white Americans do. Africans worship in a manner that is very distinct from the way in which an Asian believer would praise God. It is important to not only allow the freedom of different worship styles in context, but to make sure that we do not impose burdens of style on churches that we plant or support in other cultures. The Holy Spirit is very relevant to different cultures, and there is nothing wrong with following his lead in such relevance.

I bring this up because I believe it is appropriate and befitting to allow Hispanics to gather and worship in a manner that suits their culture and adheres to biblical principles. In contrast, it is most certainly not the will of God for us to force a bunch of Mexicans, Hondurans, and Guatemalans into a dry, lulling service of pasty-white Anglo-Saxons, devoid of tambourines, dancing, and the songs to which they are accustomed merely because we are trying to create good, American Christians.

I love that he immediately points out that it isn’t the politics behind the issue that concern him. The politics of the matter shouldn’t be an issue. What we’re talking about here is how the church treats people.

What a horrid injustice it would be for us to take such a passionate culture with such “undignified” delight towards the Lord and stick them into our biased prototype of what a “good church” looks like. I admit that the fact that I don’t get a bulletin or that someone may randomly call upon me during the Hispanic service is a bit uncomfortable. Yet, it’s what keeps me coming back for more.

I know that I don’t have everything figured out; in fact, I’m quite sure that the American church does not have everything about Jesus figured out (despite what the top-ten best-selling Christian self-help books might claim). And so, I am searching for pieces of Jesus in different cultures, hoping to see a larger picture of the mosaic called the Body of Christ. Let’s drop our facades and prejudices, please; it’s time to start learning from immigrants.

I wish it were as simple as white and Latino worship services. But, there is something deeper at work here, and it makes me ill - racism in the Church. We fear the things we do not know, and that is a large part of why we fear other cultures “not assimilating” into the American way of life. I think that this whole Christianity-becoming-a-worldview fad is overall a good step for the Church. Our faith is very relevant in culture, politics, and daily life. Men like Nehemiah teach us this. Yet, this kind of proactive political forwardness needs to be done in humility, and I’m afraid that we’re falling away from this. Having a biblical worldview does not mean taking your Republican or Democrat ideals and justifying them from a pulpit.

So, my question is not, “Should the Church shun immigrants?” I’m afraid that’s too big of a question and nothing real would result from this little conversation that we’ve been having. For some churches, it wouldn’t even matter; politics have polluted much of the infrastructure of American churches to the point that someone piping up and saying, “That’s not biblical!” makes little difference in the grand scheme. My question is, “Should you, should I, shun immigrants?” Let’s take off our institutional hats and speak from our hearts. What does Jesus tell you to do about it? Not George W. Bush. Not Jerry Falwell. Not even Tony Campolo.

You see, we in America have too many options. Too many choices of cereal. Too many ways to give to various charities. Too many radio stations and TV channels. We are crippled by indecision. How many times have you thought, “I’d really like to sponsor an orphan or missionary, but I don’t know where to give my money”? And what have you done? If you’re like me, probably nothing. You put the checkbook away for another day - you may have even resolved to pray more about it.

If you’re in this group with me, can we just quit with the hypocrisy? Let’s stop hiding behind what our preacher says. Let’s stop hiding behind the safety and security of our Western comfort. Let’s stop hiding behind our limited giving to charitable organizations. Let’s start really doing something about the injustices in the world, in our communities, and in ourselves. Let it begin in our individual hearts, as they break for the other, the least, and the deserted.

Yes! It’s so frustrating for me to hear people parrot their pastors leaders. Perhaps because, for so long, I was a parrot. I spouted off so much crap because it had been spouted off to me. I can remember when a good friend of mine got saved in college - I was thrilled! But then I matter of factly told her she must get a KJV. *sigh* But the truth is, it doesn’t matter what people say. If Jesus says give to the poor and your pastor says you don’t have to give if you really feel like you can’t…who should you listen to? If Jesus says to love your neighbor and your Christian friends tell you to leave the illegal immigrants alone…who should you listen to? If you answered anything other than Jesus, I’d like to see you answer the same way if Jesus asked you.

The Israelites were commanded to welcome the stranger, remembering that they, too, were once strangers in a foreign land. The New Testament calls us to a deeper understanding of who we are in this world - aliens. Jesus sent out his disciples as wanderers and vagrants - truly homeless - as if to point them to acknowledge their true homeland. And we are to entertain visitors in this world, never sure of who may be God’s messengers in disguise.

Trackposted to Planck’s Constant, third world county, Dumb Ox Daily News, Conservative Cat, Right Voices, Conservative Thoughts, and Pursuing Holiness, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

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