How many lumps do you want?
I remember watching the old Bugs Bunny cartoon with Pete Puma. Bugs Bunny asks him how many lumps he wants in his tea, and wallops him five times on the head when he says, “oh, three or four.” (see the complete story at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045063/quotes) I am sure some of you have seen the cartoon and get the whole idea…
I often find myself in this tug of war within the current church culture. What kind of a prophet is God sending? Does she or he need to be cold, luke warm, or hot? Does the prophet come in fluffy silent slippers or with a hammer and a garbage can lid? No, I am certainly not advocating violence, more just wondering what does it take to wake us up?
The argument for me comes from Ephesians 4 (a very biblical passage) and the idea that we need apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers for the maturing of the church. I still argue that the pastors and teachers get a pretty good say, but what about the prophet. I am not speaking about offices here, but ordinary people who are being swept up by the Spirit in unique ways.
My sense on the streets, via the sacrament of conversation, is that many of those who are having problems with current church models (though still loyal to the church Jesus died for, and lives for) are having issues because the apostle and the prophet have to be silent. If we just keep the talk local - why is there such a difference between Montecito life and West Side life? (though a mere 5 miles separate them); what do we do with brothers and sisters who live on the streets?; what do we do with the disappearance of the middle class in our city?
People I know are receiving their lumps (hopelessness, addictions, being weathered by outside living, spiritual darkness, etc…). Admittedly, each of us must take responsibility for our own lives. I believe that - we can’t fix everyone and everything.
As a church, we are taking our lumps as well (not being effective missionally, having fears of “the other,” being isolated, etc…)
These five (and more) giftings must spin a web back to themselves. We should revive the voice of the apostle and the prophet, while not disarming the pastors and teachers. The apostle wants to press the kingdom of God to the fringes, and the prophet cries out to be very practical in our living out of the gospel. We can talk about the heavenly and the very practical together.
I went on a prayer walk with my friend Hans on Sunday at the Village. We were about to have a pancake breakfast there, and we decided to pray around the area beforehand. We met three women who were trying to pack their car before leaving on vacation. We were able to help them fit far too many things in far too small a vehicle. A very practical gospel thing.
I am willing to take my lumps and move forward. I don’t believe in a cosmic Bugs Bunny with a mallet - no I believe in a loving Father and a world in need of salvation. The lumps are just about being human. We can’t avoid them. I hope the church can take the lumps from its prophets - whether cold, luke warm or hot.
Invite a prophet over today…
Comments?
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
“My sense on the streets, via the sacrament of conversation, is that many of those who are having problems with current church models (though still loyal to the church Jesus died for, and lives for) are having issues because the apostle and the prophet have to be silent… We can talk about the heavenly and the very practical together.”
Where can that happen if it doesn’t happen at church?
June 5th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Dear Jeff,
We love your insights. When we are with you with we are with a prophet.
Tues. and Wed. this week were awesome with you. We are excited to be moving forward.
Love, Ruth and Jack
P.S. I think we’ve already had some lumps, but we know there is more to come!