What is Going on Here?

I am currently of the mindset that more than anything—more than programming—what the church needs now is passionate, loving, committed Christians.

Of course, the argument stands that how can we make such Christians without the programming?  It is a good argument and has merit.  I cannot deny that good programming is a good thing.

So how does it happen, how do we get more passionate, loving, committed Christians?

Well, I don’t have the answer, but I suspect we can learn something from the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon.  They have dedicated six new churches since 2013!  Six! Where I live, we are closing and merging them. What is happening on the left side?

When we went to Colombia, South America to adopt our youngest daughter in 2003, I remember going into a government office.  I thought I was in the wrong place because there was a big picture of the Virgin Mary hanging on the office wall.

The hotel that we stayed at had a watchman who walked around the exterior balcony at night for our protection.  He wore a huge, 3D necklace of the head of Jesus.

It seems that everywhere we turned, the presence of Christ was obvious.  This was a culture that understood their need for God.  We were down there when elections were taking place and we were warned to stay inside the hotel on that day.  You could see the results of the chaos littering the street the next day.

But, that being said, these were the nicest, most hospitable people I have ever met.  I loved Colombia.  It seems to me it is not uncommon to find such generosity of spirit wherever you go in people that understand hardship and recognize their need for God.  Unique, I think, is that their belief in God penetrated the culture.  God was not simply a part of it. He was clearly the reason for their joy.

Back to Portland.  The National Catholic Register report on the growing churches in Portland included this relevant comment:

“Bishop Smith said the expansion in the archdiocese is largely due to an increase in Catholic immigrants, including the Latino, Vietnamese, and Filipino communities.

In the last five years, he said, large groups of Latin Americans have moved to Portland, taking advantage of rural employment opportunities. He said parishes and seminaries have seen an influx of Latin American immigrants, now making up an estimated 40 percent of the archdiocese.”

I find this fascinating.  You see, it was reported that, in reference to their newest church,  “Bishop Smith said the parishioners were not wealthy, but they dedicated their time and resources to building up the parish, which now welcomes 2,000 parishioners every weekend.”

And, he said, “When you walk into a place of worship, you want the person who walks into it to be drawn to something beyond just themselves…which is the Lord.”

And therein lies the key.  It is not about us, but about Jesus.  Whatever we are doing in our churches, if we are not drawing others to the Lord, if we are just sustaining the “people in the pews,” then we are not getting it right. Programming may help us, but ultimately, if it is not impacting the culture, it is not enough.

Our mission is to “go” and “make” disciples of all nations, baptizing them as commanded in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 28, Verse 19.

Each of us would do well to dust off our bibles and look up that verse, then contemplate our own role in this great commission.  Whatever faith tradition you adhere to, you are being called at this moment.  Your participation, your contribution to our culture, is important—not just important, but necessary.

It matters most that you take the first step in becoming engaged in the mission.  You don’t have to be a theologian or a bible scholar.  Just bring yourself and God will do the rest.  Trust him.

You are officially invited to come and be a part of something “beyond yourself!” 

I believe your response could make all the difference in the world.

God bless,

Janet Cassidy

Janetcassidy.com