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by Missy VanMeter
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Church Driven by Complaining
Grumbling under my breath, I kicked at a rock on my way to the dorm. A dark thundercloud rolled and rumbled over my head as I muttered something about "these darn Christians... just never stop complaining."
Many of us in the body of Christ excel in the art of griping. The last thing I want to do when voicing my thoughts about complaining Christians is to be one, but humor me.
Multnomah students perpetuate the world's misunderstandings of what Christianity is all about. We Multnomah students would like to think we are above the tendency to be divided over such petty differences as carpet color and music style in a church service, but by drawing that distinction, we're playing the game.
Oh, how beautiful it would be (and glorifying to our God) if we caught ourselves when we complain about "the church" and remembered that we are the church! "Hi, I'm the church!" Recently, a professor and student lunched together, and I sat in as a fly on the wall -- a rather talkative fly -- as they chewed not only on salad but on the idea of female leadership in congregations. What an encouraging experience to hear them present different opinions with deep mutual respect and grace. I left feeling inspired and blessed by the unity I'd just seen.
How wonderful if we could always allow our doctrines, denominational and congregational preferences to be in completely diametric opposition, yet remain in completely harmonious fellowship with one another as followers of Christ. Ideal? Absolutely. Unreal? No.
I have recently begun to understand just a glimpse of the grace shown to me within the body of Christ. Genuine care, respect and the fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ truly is a taste of heaven.
For now, I'll take my slice of humble pie a la mode.
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