Homeland

Homeland

Text:  Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

(Gary W. Charles, Cove Presbyterian Church, Covesville, VA, 8-7-2016)

The fastest growing religious group in America is NONEs. That is not N-U-N; it is NONE. The NONEs are those who consider themselves “spiritual but not religious.” They argue that the ways and worship of the traditional church obstructs their relationship with God. They lament how most churches major in the minors, and as a result, actually distract people from paying attention to Jesus.

As a pastor in my fourth decade of ministry, I do not underestimate or belittle the legitimate complaints of the NONEs. In fact, it is tempting to get my own NONE card. After all, how many hours have I spent in endless church committee meetings debating matters that matter little to almost anyone? How many weeks have I spent trying to assuage hurt feelings of a member because of something done or something said that was hardly helpful and often hurtful? How often have I wished for two toothpicks to keep my eyes open as someone got on his doctrinal soapbox and recited his position about “you name it” for the fiftieth time? How many times have I wished I could take every last member’s hand and lead them outside, point in every direction and say, “Friends, the church is out here! Let’s go be it”?

Far more seriously, how long have I been a part of a church that has tolerated homophobia and has given it an ignorant Scriptural shine? How long have I led a church that gave lip service to non-violence as if Jesus were just kidding when he addressed an angry mob, saying: “Those who live by the sword will die by the sword”? How long have I listened to good Christian people justify why the church is still more racially segregated than any other public institution?

Maybe it is time to say a fond farewell to Cove and join the growing congregation of NONEs. The time seems right, since Jennell and I are living, albeit temporarily, atop Afton Mountain in a secluded, beautiful spot that overlooks Nelson and Albemarle Counties. It is just the two of us, an occasional bear, and God. Why not sit on the deck and sip some coffee or wine, read the paper, relax and then take our place in the growing NONE Revolution? Who really needs the messiness of church life? Who needs one more obligation?

I did sent off for the NONE paperwork, but hard as I try, I cannot join them. As often as I get frustrated, even maddened with church life, I cannot be a NONE because I do not know how to be a Christian alone; I have no clue how to be “spiritual” alone.

Last week, I told you one tidbit about your new pastor. I wear hearing aids and you should feel free to fuss at me when I am not wearing them. The tidbit for this week is that I love to play golf. To be perfectly clear, I did not say that I am a good golfer, but I do love to play the game.

I love golf so much that sometimes I go out by myself and join another three golfers to make a foursome. Inevitably when play slows down and we are just standing around, someone will ask:  “Gary, what do you do for a living?” When I tell them that I am a pastor, two things always happen. First, they apologize for the language they have used for the past hour, clearly not having listened to my own. Second, they apologize for not going to church or going rarely at best. Finally, after their cursory confessions, they almost always say something like this: “Well, you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.”

For years, I ignored that comment and played on. No more. Now, I say what I believe to be true, “I respectfully disagree. Christianity is ultimately a team sport.” Yes, I know better than you all the ways that the church of any and every denomination can get in the way of our personal relationship with God and can add roadblocks to following Jesus. I can publish a laundry list of all the ways that the church falls short of the glory of God, including its preachers.

Even so, I have not joined the NONEs and will not join the NONEs, because, despite all its failings, the church is the beloved community of God, the one that on its best days resembles and points to that “better country,” that “homeland” about which the author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes. By church, I do not mean glorious buildings, elegantly simple like the Cove Church or even elaborately ornate like St. Peter’s in Rome. I mean the flawed and fantastic people of God who join to set their sights on home by following Jesus together, sometimes stumbling, sometimes hurdling, but always doing so together.

As a boy in Sunday School, I learned the first question and answer of the Shorter Catechism, an ancient method to teach the Christian faith. The question is:  “What is the chief end of human life?” The answer is: “To glorify God and to enjoy God forever.” Now, you and I can surely worship God, glorify God by walking along the beach, hiking in the mountains, tending our gardens, setting out on a solitary spiritual journey, even taking “a good walk spoiled.”

Ultimately, though, you and I were created to worship God together, to do mission together, to tend to church grounds together, to visit those unable to make it to church together, to advocate against all forms of injustice together, to laugh together. Together, you and I track in the footsteps of Abram and Sarah and all the saints since who have searched for a “better country,” searched not to “Make America Great Again,” but to seek a “homeland” not of our making, not with any national lines, but a “homeland” where we bask in the never-setting sun of God’s goodness and grace.  

In May, I attended the longest church service of my life in the tiny village of Trou Jacques in Haiti. In that sanctuary, my skin color made it impossible for me not to stand out. My inability to speak Creole left me often lost in worship and feeling isolated. Most faces were friendly, but almost all were unfamiliar. I felt so far from home.

Then music began and we started to sing, “Let Us Break Bread Together,” the crowd in Creole, our group in English. The bread was broken and wine was poured and the gifts of God were distributed to us all and though far, far away, my true “homeland” surfaced and my family grew far larger and much more diverse. This table has a way of expanding our idea of home and tearing down any notions that we can live faithfully at home alone.

          I realize that there is a certain irony and also safety in preaching a sermon about the NONEs when they are not present to make their case. That is where you enter the picture. Kristin will post this sermon on the Cove website this afternoon. I invite you to share this sermon with NONEs in your family, with NONEs in your neighborhood, with NONEs working next to you in the office, with NONEs at your favorite bar or favorite music venue, with NONEs at your gym or in your book club.

Why? Because we need the NONEs. We need them to point out where we are stuck in old worship ways that block their way home. We need them to share their fresh ideas of how to tell and to live the old, old story in new ways. We need them because without them there are too many empty seats at this Homeland table.  

You and I are the beloved community of God seeking our true Homeland. All are welcome on this journey. May no one stay away.

AMEN