The Silent Scream!
In 2013, I began participating in a doctoral cohort that would spend the next three years focusing on “Empowering and Equipping the Chosen Exiles of the 21st Century.” It took its name from the opening line of 1 Peter, a greeting to the “elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.”
The first time we met, each cohort member had to lead a devotion from 1 Peter each morning over the two weeks together. I remember how rich each reflection was and how disturbingly relevant they were to our existing culture as the church in the 21st century.
If we are willing to pull our heads out of the sand for even a few moments to examine the landscape of Western Europe and North America, we see the acceleration of the secular culture. Every decade seems to bring higher and higher numbers of the “dechurched” and the “nones.” Note: “nones” are people with little or no connection to religion, and “dechurched” are those who grew up in the church but left at some point for a myriad of reasons (some of which are excuses).
Now, it seems like everyone wants to debate what causes people to leave the church or disavow religion in any way, shape, or form. Regardless, the net result is exponentially shrinking numbers of people participating in the church’s ministry and the worship of God. In my humble opinion, we may bear some of the blame.
It makes most pastors want to “Scream!”
While I stand with my mouth agape and no sound coming out, let the Apostle remind us all that we are chosen exiles of the diaspora even though we suffer in the midst of these disturbing trends.
“You are a chosen race*, a royal priesthood, a holy nation**, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
* In this context, “Race” has noting to do with ethnicity **In this context, “Nation” has nothing to do with a specific country!
Now let’s get to the priestly work of Loving 42 and our neighbors!
SEARCHING FOR 42 