That was the first time I became aware that to be seen as a Christian, a pastor, in this day and age can be frightening and off-putting for some.  Even to be known as a Christian may be a turn off in some circles.  My wife, Billye Jean, who teaches 7^th grade English has found that children in her classes know little to nothing about Christianity, Church, or Jesus.  So few of them have been brought up in homes where Jesus is talked about, prayed to, or even referenced.  Perhaps you have heard Bishop Hanson’s story of boarding an airplane in his collar, overhearing the flight attendant comment that they had no wine, to which he jokingly said:  “Well, if you have some water, I’ll see what I can do...” She looked at him mystified, no knowledge of the miracle story of Jesus’ turning water in wine.  Christians are recognized less and less; have we lost our saltiness?

They Like Jesus but Not the Church...           

          Pr. Dan Kimball has written a book entitled, They Like Jesus but Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations in which he shares many stories demonstrating that the church needs to get to know the younger generations more and more if we are to welcome them into the Church.  They do not think like their parents and grandparents, they do not know the Church, and they have little understanding of denominational theology.  Like missionaries who visit villages in far off places and learn to know the indigenous people before talking to them about Christ, we too must learn to know the young people who are no longer populating our churches for we have a lot to learn from them.  “Christians,” he says, “are now the foreigners in a post-Christian culture, and we have got to wake up to this reality, if we have not.”  His book is worth reading.

What is Salt Good For?

          "Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another (Mk 9:50)."  As the disciples, observing that some outside their circles were casting out demons, argued among themselves (aren’t they always?) about who is good enough to cast out demons, Jesus called them to what is most important.  He said essentially...let them cast out demons in my name even if they are not one of us; give a cup of water to drink in the name of Christ; don’t cause others to stumble (rather encourage them in the faith); and be salt.  Have salt in yourselves, be at peace with one another, and do all that you do in the name of Christ Jesus.  The concept of being salt suggests getting into the system of those who are not part of the body of Christ; to find ways to know youth and others who are distant from or even rejecting the Church.  Our opportunity is not be to judgmental of the culture or those with whom we disagree, but we get to be that which brings out the flavor.  When we strive to do ministry in this way, perhaps the world will know Christ and they will learn to fear us not.

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