As believers, it is sometimes to be feared that our church related "witness" in terms of trite billboard cliches, catch phrase slogans and the like (e.g., "If you are looking for a sign from God, this is it," ad nauseam) tend more to a perception of immaturity than to meaningful qualification for confronting life and its issues. Simply put: Given the character of that being extended to the outside world, why should anyone of a sincere or hungry heart desire that being offered inside? Having previously commented on this matter, we shall herewith cease and desist - at least for the present.
There is, nonetheless, another promotional practice seemingly gaining in popularity that somewhat bothers us. This involves yard signs reading: "I love (here symbolized by a red heart) my Brand X (or Y or Z) Church." While not wishing to impugn the motive oftentimes involved, we would yet suggest that if not careful, one can go awry here as well.
First of all, neither denomination X nor its representative congregation within our community is God. It is we who comprise the local church's constituent membership. Furthermore, it is Christ that the Church is called to promote (John 16:14; Acts 1:8, etc.). When we stand before God, He will not ask if we were Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal or Lutheran. (Will there be Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals and Lutherans in heaven? Of course - along with those of other affiliations having known Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We would point out, however, that at such point in time, appelations of this nature will no longer apply.)
The first of various errors within the Corinthian church was that of its having become a self-centered body wherein focus revolved around a sectarian oriented, "who and what I (or we) am (or are)" - as opposed to others within the believing community. Are we then to split off into a "non-sectarian sectarianism?" While sometimes tried, such merely compounds the problem.
It is interesting that in his ensuing polemic against sectarianism, Paul included those identifying themselves as being "of Christ" (I Cor. 1:11-13) - not that Christ is not foundational to the faith, but that these members were "using" Christ as means to self serving ends: "WE are the ones who are of Christ." It was still self promoting.
One final observation: Despite claims of "loving my Brand X church," one can little avoid noticing that these signs (at least those we have seen) are otherwise identical. In other words, someone is making a bundle producing them. Now if the sign's designers will just create one reading, "I love Jesus," or perhaps one bearing the early Christian fish symbol, I will gladly purchase one and proundly display it along with other Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals and Lutherans doing the same.
It is, after all, about Him - not us.
Burl Ratzsch
(Agree? why not forward this post to a friend?)
