Church of the Valley is home to a wonderful developmental preschool. The other day, I was helping a prospective parent find her way to the preschool office. As I was unlocking the gate for her, she asked, "What sort of church is this? Is it non-dimensional, uh..I mean, non-demotional...no, that isn't what I mean. Is it demolitional?" I knew what she was asking, but I loved how she was struggling to say the right words.
After getting her to the correct office, I quickly jotted down her words so I would remember them. I think she was on to something. Are we a "non-dimensional" church? Are we without dimension? The usual way to speak of dimension is to talk about length, width, and depth. Are we a church without depth? Do our ideas or teachings lack structure or definite shape? Do we have anything important to say?
There are other ways to think of this particular remark, as well. Perhaps we are a "non-dimensional" church in that we don't require people to fit into a predetermined set of spiritual coordinates or a rigid structure of belief. Is this who we are?
Or, are we a "non-demotional" church? To demote someone is to relegate that person to a lesser place or rank. It is to remove honor or reduce in importance. Are we a church that demotes people by the way we treat them? Or are we a "non-demotional" church, refusing to engage in such belittling behavior?
Or yet again, are we a "demolitional" church? Demolition involves blowing up, destroying or tearing down something. Are we a church that tears people down or destroys when we should be building up? Or are we a church that refuses to blast away, instead choosing the path of compassionate and gracious creation?
These are all good questions for us to consider. Before I took my leave of the parent, however, she asked me one more thing. After her flustered attempt to ask if we were a non-denominational church (which we aren't), she asked, "Or are you just an overall Christianity church?"
At this I heartily nodded my head. "We try to be," I said. "We try to be."
1 comments:
Russ, I have just read this statement. It's a stimulating way to think about the kind of church we are, or aspire to be. Keith Watkins
Post a Comment