The Conversion of Religious

A pastor friend of mine from the Twin cities wrote the following this morning. I think it's worth a few minutes of consideration.

[quote]
Religious people are big into conversions. I know, I am part of the religious system. I really don't like thinking of myself that way, but it is true. (When I am forced to tell people I am pastor I feel like apologizing, like a great-grandchild from the John Wilkes Booth family.) [end qoute]

I sometimes wonder if we are really serious about helping people become followers of Jesus or if we are looking for lip service with a small commitment that won't incovenience? If we are serious about helping people follow Jesus and the ways of Jesus, it seems that we would be willing to invest the lenght of our lives into their lives. Instead, we stay for three or five of ten years before moving onward.

In other words, we still view ourselves more like missionaries who are converting and moving toward other fields rather than life long friends who walk alongside... and we wonder why people often change the subject when we tell them we are pastors.

Thus, projects such as water's edge. We're hoping and trying to re-imagine church and pastoral roles. We believe the ways of Jesus are exciting for all people if only we could better live into those ways. Let's together live into this journey of following Jesus.