There are a number of questions that I continue to ask, that still drive me. Some of you will wonder what is wrong with me. You ask – Why are you still asking questions? Don’t you have things figured out yet? Well, I keep asking because the given answers just don’t fit or are no longer clear. For example …
What is conversion? … What does it look like when one steps across the line to be a committed follower of Jesus? When does this happen? Is it at a point in time? Through a long process? Is it continual? Does it ever end?
What is the gospel? … What part of religion (my religion) is Christian and what is culture? I ask this because I am afraid that extras I have added to the Jesus message confuse those who do not know Christ and create pseudo-barriers.
What is community? … Community has become the new cool word and thus co-opted to mean whatever one wishes. I want to know and experience real community.
Who are the people of God? … What is the essence and purpose and mission of the local church? What marks as being God’s people in the world?
How are we to do missions? … Structures, means, and pathways that we once used for mission involvement are quickly fading. What is the new mission paradigm? What does it mean for the church to encounter the world?
Am I authentic? … What does authentic living look like? How do I get there? Am I willing to do what it will take to be there? What does transformation look like in my life? Why am I so afraid of living an open life?
Am I still living? … Not am I still alive, but am I living? Am I on cruise control, asleep at the wheel? Am I passionate about something (someone)?
These are some of my questions … not all. I remind myself often that the questions are not my enemies but necessary friends. It is only through asking, owning, and living into these questions that I can grow and hope.