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It’s a question that is asked umpteen times a day regarding all sorts of venues: So, what’s up? What’s the word? What do you hear ‘on the street’? What’s the word from management?
So I’ll ask it of you: What are you hearing… from God?
For me, that’s a question that holds great significance and probably one that we should be discussing more often with our friends and family. I think we might be surprised at the answer(s) we get. I have a close friend who often does conferences for churches and has them answer the following: If God is so good, then why do I feel so (fill in the blank)? You’d be surprised at some of the responses. Without exception the negativity of what people are thinking/hearing/feeling regarding God is astounding.
Though God speaks to all people, not everyone hears this voice. And even more sadly, a lot of people hear some pretty negative things from God – usually because of internalizing negative messages they’re receiving at church or their spiritual fellowship of choice – which is one of the reasons when I hear things like that I usually ask them a volatile question: What would it look like if you were to walk out the door and never return?
Just this past week a friend asked if he could come over and spend some time processing together. The predicament in which he found himself centered around his involvement in a church as an ‘insider’ and the discouragement he felt now that he was aware of all of the politics, insensitivity and endless obsessions over growing the church rolls and increasing the weekly contributions. It no longer felt like a place of worship, a place of learning or mystery or even a place where God could be met. It had, in his opinion, simply become just another ‘deal’ where people heard the voice of God in negative and condemnatory ways that brought them down instead of lifting them up. So I told him, FORGET CHURCH. His life got much better.
That’s too bad. Imagine, the eternal Source of all life, living in and among (and refreshingly beyond) all things… and all we can think this One is saying to us are things more akin to disappointment and condemnation rather than love.
I told my friend what I tell everyone in this situation – listen to your heart, listen for the voice of God – then the way will become clear. And then I share why I left the institutional gig almost a decade ago and the growth I have experienced since. I try to be sensitive when doing this because not everyone is like me (and my wife). The biblical admonishment of “two or more” for some people just doesn’t work – they do better in larger, more structured groups/churches.
That being said, as for me and my family, we’ll never return to such a place. Not because we despise it or feel we’ve found the ultimate way for everyone, but because we’ve found our place. And in our place, when someone asks “So, what are you hearing these days” the answer is simple: We’re hearing the One in whom we live and move and have our being. We’re hearing the rustling leaves of the garden as this One passes by – and we’re hearing this voice in all of the surrounding creation. And what does this voice say? It says, “Well done, my love, well done!”
So, what are you hearing these days?
14 comments to “So, What Are You Hearing These Days?”
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I left about four years ago….I have never looked back and never regretted it. The adventure continues, the journey grows deeper!
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Here’s what I heard. “My little child, go back to church because I sent my son to die on the cross so everyone would go to church.” hmmm… Sure was surprised
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Good post Tim!! Sadly, never have I heard such disillusionment with the institutional church (and as a result – God) as I have heard in the past few years from various church staff, leaders/elders, directors of para-church organizations as well as church members from a variety of denominations. It is, as you say, “astounding”. Because we’ve faced it in our own lives, and have come out from under a system that weighed us down with burdens and tried to suppress the Life of God in us, we desire to reflect the heart/love of God in a way that helps free others to hear more from God rather than their oppressors. In their decade-old book “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse (Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church)” authors David Johnson & Jeff VanVonderen dedicated their writing to “the weary and heavy laden, deeply loved by God, but because of spiritual abuse, find that the Good News has somehow become the bad news”. This is what I’m hearing from many people…the message has become “bad news” and the stories are heartbreaking.
I hear God saying to many of the institutions: “Let my people go!” because they are in bondage, not as “slaves to Christ” but slaves to a distorted Gospel and religious system.As I tune my ear to the right voice, I’m hearing ” just be….with Me. You in ME and I in you”. As we learn more and more to “BE”, then naturally, we’ll know what to DO…at any moment.
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I had determined never to re-enter the established church again myself for all of the same reasons, so imagine my surprise when that is EXACTLY where God has taken me! I’m in a group that desires to be all the things we have long hoped from the “para-church” movement (for me, the emerging church) and for once I realize that I can be the change from within just as effectively here as I could have been the change from without. It’s an exciting new world and I’m looking at church with new eyes…and I hope, with an ear to God.
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As one involved in church, with a child under ten, I certainly understand what you are saying, in fact the political, worldly, unattractive aspects of church are more like “Club Piety”. Even though there are moments of richness & fellowship & connection to God there, those that are stuck in Church 101 or that Old Tyme Religion (complete with spiritual self righteousness & frozen thinking) far, FAR out-number any spiritual seekers. I hear God’s voice: “Slow down, chill out, do art, write poems to me.”. I also hear “What about your child?”. That’s probably me…
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But seriously, how do I raise the child to have the benefit of a spiritual upbringing outside the church.
I’m not kidding. I do not know how to do this in a small town without some kind of network. I trust my beliefs which are in line with this post (and post modern Christian thinking) but I fear for him in our southern Baptist town. Even though I am honest and try to teach him how to see his spiritual self there isn’t much post-modern Biblical literature for kids…… (any ideas??) … (I’m really not kidding.) …. -
I’ve not been hearing good things at church for a long time, and it’s seemingly hampering my ability to hear God at all.
My wife knows it but is not yet where I am.
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Hi Tim,
Excellent topic… my wife and I, like you and yours left institutional Christianity some time ago and yet, we are attempting to fellowship with this group in SF. So far so good… the group is looking for a more meaningful expression of the kingdom.Here is the source of my puzzling, inquiry of God. I see that body activities/ministries are so much more effective and beneficial than individual effort as far as helping with social justice issues. I think that the the damaging issue is not being a member of a body but, the doctrine and beliefs of the body.
It is a tough decision but we are going to give this another chance… what I hear God saying to me is this… you can stand alone if you want but, if you can find or help create true fellowship, centered on my heart for justice and the poor… then you will have a richer life. It may just be wishful thinking of my ego but I do not think so.
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I think there is a difference between what God actually SAYS to us and what we INTERPRET He is saying to us.
Too many people live heavily in a realm of interpreting and not really in a realm of hearing very much authentically from God. Their car breaks down – they interpret, “God is telling me I need to focus more on blah blah blah.” Everything they think about when you ask “What has God been telling you” is really their own interpretation of events, lessons that they think they are learning from walking through life. This is ok, but it’s not really hearing from God. -
This is a sad but true commentary. Count me among the others here who have left the “institutional” church, haven’t been a participating member since 1978. Many thought I’d have lost my faith by now, but I’m still growing, even at my age.
An observation: the question your friend posed, “If God is so good, then why do I feel so (fill in the blank)?” Doesn’t leave much room for a positive response.
But your point is well taken.
I must be eavesdropping on your conversation, Tim, ‘cos I hear much the same things.
We are made Perfect, but imagine ourselves otherwise. And so it is. We need to get out of our minds!:D