In Christ...So What?

As we continue to wrestle with what it means to be on mission and how our mission is shaped and determined by our theology we looked briefly at the reality of being "in Christ". We left off with a simple question, "So what?" So what, if we as followers of Jesus, are in him?  What bearing does that have on any aspect of our daily reality? What does that have to do with our mission? The ramifications are significant.  A good friend makes that clear in a recent post (which got me kickstarted to write again). I really like what Alan Hirsch says here, httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jePGylrJWhM&feature=player_embedded You see Alan is making the point that we must be where Jesus is, this is obvious because we are in Christ, if those of us who say that we are "in Christ" are moving in mission then we necessarily must be doing it together. Did you catch that? To be on mission necessarily means doing it together. If one is in Christ then she must be on mission with someone else, a community of people.  I prefer the term (from Hirsch) Communitas.  This is an understanding that the community of Jesus is necessarily a people on mission. I like this definition,
Community is a ship in port.  Communitas is a ship at sea. The ship is not designed for port. The ship is designed for the sea. The church is not designed for community.  It is designed at its core DNA to be communitas.
I find it interesting that much of the Christian West is seeking to find "community" when it needs to be looking for communitas. However, we don't really believe the necessary outworking of the fact that to be a Christian is to be "in Christ" with all the other Christians. We seek holy huddles. We seek comfort. So, what happens if we instead begin to seek communitas? We will get really uncomfortable, we will have to enter into the lives of others, we will have set aside ourselves, it will be inconvenient. To be "in Christ" means to be unified with the whole of the body of Christ and the local expression of that body particularly.  Here are some questions that have been bouncing around in my head as far as evaluation goes:
  • How often are you spending time with people from your particular church outside of church sanctioned meetings or events?
  • How many close friends do you have within your particular church? Do you spend time with them outside of official church meetings or events?
  • Would you vacation with anyone from your particular church?
  • Who in your particular church would you call in a time of crisis (besides your pastor or deacon)?
  • Is there anyone from your particular church that you do mission with?
I would love to know if you have any questions to add to this list.  Just throw them in the comments section. In summary, to be "in Christ" means to be on mission together, communitas.

Next...

I have been thinking where to go next as I wrestle through how our beliefs drive the mission. Remember, what we believe ought to send us on an expedition with God. Since I have argued that Jesus is the center, that he is Lord,  and that this is the starting point, I will move forward with the reality that those are Christ followers are said to be "in Christ". When it comes to unity with Christ let's start with John 15:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

(John 15:1-11 ESV)

Jesus is the central figure. He is the vine to which all is connected, I think this image is helpful:

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The "trunk" is the "vine". When one becomes a follower of Jesus she is grafted into the vine. The branches or cordons.  These are one with the vine. You see, those are Christians are not simply followers, we are one with the true vine. This reality is significant. Do you get that? If you claim to be a Christian you are one with Christ. This is why Paul says,
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

(2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

It is the "in Christness" of the person that determines their new identity. This is why Jesus' righteousness can be ours, because we are in him. We cannot be justified apart from being in him.

So what?

That's next...

Cannibal? Yes, yes, I am.

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The early church was accused of being cannibalistic.  They were thought to be such because they feasted on the body and blood of Jesus the Christ. This was an unthinkable ritual and act.  It was seen as barbaric and it was a stumbling block to the world around them.  The Eucharist split churches in the 1700s and was a cause in Jonathan Edwards being released from his position in Northampton. Today communion is a mundane and humdrum ritual that nobody really notices. This is a tragedy. The celebration of the Eucharist, the Lord's Table, the Lord's Supper, Communion is one of the most beautiful acts that we as Christians get to participate in.  When we do we experience the presence of Christ and join with the great of cloud of witnesses in a spiritual act that bonds us as the body of Christ. How can this astounding and beautiful means of grace become something that is largely ignored? My senior year at Central Michigan University as new church was planted in Mt. Pleasant, MI.  This church was unlike any I had ever seen.  It met in an airplane hangar.  Yes, that's right an airplane hangar.  The seats were couches and plastic chairs.  The room was dimly lit and cold in the winter. There was nothing routine about this church.  It was determined that the celebration of the Eucharist would occur whenever it seemed right to "us and the Holy Spirit." The first time that Amy and I celebrated communion there we were amazed.  I was moved to the core of my being and changed that evening. The bread was homemade without yeast and the juice was in a 64 oz containers next to a stack of 12 oz cups. Barry, the pastor, stood and read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Then he said (atleast this is how I remember it), "This was supper. It was a meal that was shared.  Jesus is not stingy in his grace or his mercy.  Come, take, eat to your fill and drink till your thirst is quenched.  Seconds, thirds, fourths, whatever you need Jesus will provide. Come, taste and see that the Lord is good."  We partook and we were filled. I was left in wonder and awe.  This was a far cry from the thimble of juice and crumb of bread that I was used to.  We celebrated together the beauty and wonder of the crucifixion and resurrection.  We marveled in the grace of God.  We were a community perfectly united in a feast of grace.  The bread was warm and smelled wonderfully.  The juice was cold and refreshing. I was changed. I was left in awe. I got lost and found in the mystery and limitlessness of God's goodness. I feasted that night on the body and blood. That night I became a cannibal and was forever changed. Are you a cannibal?