What is Christianity?

Our newest podcast has been posted and in it Ray and I talk about our experiences with Christianity. We decided to start with the 1828 definition and the modern Merriam-Webster. Christianity doesn't appear in the 1828 dictionary, and in Merriam-Webster it is: 

: the religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and professed by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies

I highlighted this definition because at it's core, Christianity is about Jesus. Most people who have been exposed to Jesus' teachings do not have a problem with him. Many people have a problem with his followers. A quote I learned in college, "You Christians why aren't you more like your Christ? " Ghandi. 

The amount of trauma and individuals who will never darken the door of a church is an indictment of how people who call themselves Christian treat the people they meet and the systems in place that allow for no oversight of clergy, no academic training of clergy, and therefore are easy for predators and grifters to abuse followers. 

Religion can be used to control and manipulate members-we often label these groups as cults. Religion too can inspire groups of people to make positive changes in the world. Hospitals, Civil Rights and the end of slavery are some examples of people using faith to change the status quo. Yes, people try and use religion to maintain the status quo, but there are less harmful ways to have a faith practice. 

So in an environment like the US which allows anyone who wants to be ordained via the internet to be a 'pastor' how do you protect yourself from scammers, grifters, con-artists, predators, and genuine people who are trying their best to live a lifestyle that is consistent with the teachings of Jesus? Where do you find people who don't see being Christian as "nationalism", "patriotic", "legislating morality", "saving everyone from sin so that God doesn't abandon the US"? 

Look for denominations who have websites that explain how to become a pastor in their tradition. Why? Because some churches don't require much education and formal training. For example in part 2 of the podcast (not yet posted) Ray talks about how little pastoral training and education pastor's have in the tradition he was raised. I talk about how much training I had to go through and the hoops. The youngest possibly way to be a pastor in the ELCA is 26. That is going from HS to a 4 year college and then on to Seminary which is 4 years. 

Look into the process for selecting pastors--does the denomination require them to be nominated by a pastor? If yes, then does the larger church body interview the candidate? (In the ELCA this is the synod candidacy committee which is made up of pastors and lay persons). Then once the candidate has passed this hurdle who else interviews them? Mental health professionals? In the ELCA yes we take extensive tests. Our seminary students not only have to be evaluated academically, the professors have to agree that they are a good candidate for ministry, then a church has to extend the person a call. It's a long process and self funded. 

Look at the national church body's web site not just the local church's website. If there is no national church body, there will likely be little accountability of leaders, less oversight of training pastors, and less educational requirements. At the national website look at the history of the denomination, do they have stances on social issues such as gay marriage? If they say they include all people double check this by seeing if gay people, women, people of color etc. can be ordained. Look too at their social statements, their church meetings that decide policies of the church, to see if they have denounced things like Nazism, apologized for roles in colonization and harm to Native Americans, and what the church is doing to combat racism. 

Then look at a local church affiliated with the denomination to see what they are doing in their communities. Are they part of a food ministry? Do they have joint partnerships with other religious organizations outside of their denomination? Is their building shared with a different faith group? Are they involved in making at least one aspect of their community better for the people who struggle the most? Do they have a mission statement that aligns with your values? Do they have a policy of background checks and two adults at all times with youth? 

Do some research on various Reformers. Luther's theology paradoxical, situational, and more focused on grace and forgiveness. How does his theology compare to Zwingly and Calvin?  Take time away from reading the Bible if you need to and look at how the various churches see Biblical inerrancy, how they interpret the Bible, and what is central. After finding a church you would consider, remember it is full of flawed human beings. It won't be perfect. The pastor will not be perfect and may disappoint you. Can you live with the flaws and imperfections of the community? If not keep looking, if yes show them as much grace and you would want shown to you. 

For those of you who cannot every darken the door of church because of the harmful theology and traumatic experience, hugs. I'm sorry the church has been such a negative impact on your life. The Reclamation Collective is a group of therapist who understand religious trauma, aren't going to guilt you into church or judge you. Therapy can be a helpful way to process and find peace. Find some community where you can thrive. Find a tribe that will have your back. You can go through life on your own, but you don't have too.