I heard a guy complain the other day that the reason he didn’t go to church was because, “There are too @#%* many hypocrites in church!” I guess all I can say to that comment is, “Well, duh!?”  Church is supposed to be filled with hypocrites; sort of.

Webster defines a hypocrite as: someone guilty of hypocrisy. They define hypocrisy as:  a pretense of virtue, benevolence or religious devotion. And, they define the word pretense as: the deliberate creating of a false impression.

So, if I understand my dictionary correctly, a hypocrite is someone who deliberately pretends to be a Christian but is not. Another way you can say it is a fake. Jesus contended with these guys on a regular basis and warned over and over not to act as they do. The Apostle, Paul, vied with malignant hypocrites who’s aim was to divide churches, and cautioned to beware these wolves in sheep’s clothing. Jesus went so far to say that these hypocrites would meet a terrible end of suffering and gnashing of teeth.

Okay, I have a hard time with deliberate hypocrites too. I take back my sarcastic, “Duh.” But, is our friend right in his assertion that the Church is full of these kinds of hypocrites?

Are there deliberate hypocrites in the church? Sure, but it’s not “full” of them. It can’t be. A true church is not an environment that is conducive to deliberate hypocrisy. Are there those in the Church whose walk doesn’t match their talk? Sure, all kinds of us. There are many of us who lift our hands in worship, and do church work, and encourage others in the way of the Lord, and try to be good husbands or wives; we strive to be honest, integral, and God-fearing. There are many of us who do all this and screw up…regularly.

Could our finger pointing friend be mistaking imperfection (which the Church is full of), with blatant hypocrisy, (which the Church is not full of)?

The church has been, is now, and always will be a haven for the imperfect. If we were perfect we wouldn’t need Jesus. The fact is that we are all desperate for Him. The whole point of “walking out your salvation” is growing, by the grace of God, into mature perfection in Christ; something that will not be accomplished until we are completed in Him.

Yet it is amazing to think that God would make His perfect deposit of the Holy Spirit within cracked, clay pots of imperfection where our human nature will constantly contend with the divine nature He’s called us to partake of.

The church is full of imperfect people, who (at various levels of intensity, diligence, and wholeheartedness) are pressing toward Christ-likeness. Are there elements of hypocrisy involved? Probably, but the Church is exactly the place God intends for hypocrisy to be transformed into the real thing.

So, on one hand, the Church will always be filled with people who profess the ideal, but live in the reality of a life somewhere less than the ideal. Does that make them hypocrites? Not really, not in the strictest sense. What it makes them (us) are believers in Christ who are going from glory to glory, and growing in Christ.

The perfect  church is a church that makes room for the imperfect; in other words makes room for hypocrites. There is a church in the Fargo/Moorehad area for what our friend would call a hypocrite; it’s Believers Fellowship Church; the perfect imperfect church. Pardon my bias.

I wonder, however, if our hypocrite disdaining friend’s concern is really so much about the hypocrites he may or may not have encountered in church, or is it his own relationship with God? Because, if you are pretending to be a Christian, and you really are not, you can’t stand being around those who really are; no matter how imperfect they may be. Even in the midst of human imperfection, when a person has truly given their life to Jesus, the genuine resides with a robust vitality, and a true hypocrite (I love the oxymoronic twist) can’t stand the conviction of their own dichotomy.

So, is the real issue with our friend: hypocrisy in the Church, or the hypocrisy within himself? Either way, I have the perfect church for him.

As the Pastor of BFC, here in Moorhead, I need to say that I sometimes struggle with stuff; I don’t mean issues, I mean stuff, literally. I’ll admit it, I like stuff; I like it a lot, and I like a lot of it. I don’t know why? Stuff is just cool. I like electronic stuff, loud stuff, fast stuff, cool looking stuff, techno. stuff, old stuff and new stuff. I especially like powerful stuff and high quality stuff; you can keep the cheap stuff…stuff has to have the right stuff to be my stuff.

You might think that with all the acquiring of stuff that one would eventually become, well, stuffed. But I find it’s not the case. Surprisingly enough, I’ve never been truly satisfied with stuff; there is no stuff enough. Stuff just doesn’t have the stuff to stuff the need for security, contentment, joy, peace, meaning; all the stuff that makes life work.

You see, I’ve found that without Jesus residing securely in the center of my life in a real and living way, my life is like a bottomless pit that the stuff just sort of runs through. It’s not that I’ve loved my stuff more than Jesus; I’m not like the rich young ruler (I’m neither rich, young or a ruler), I truly love Jesus more than all my stuff. I’ve just looked for stuff to do for me that which only Jesus can. Stuff leaves you with a hole, but Jesus makes you whole (I know “Ya want some wine with that cheese?”). But, it’s absolutely true just the same.

I could sell everything I own, including (gulp) the Harley, but if I haven’t allowed Jesus to fill me with His peace, significance, meaning, security, purpose, love, acceptance and well being…the real stuff of life that comes in time through intimacy (real openness, honesty and fellowship) with Him, I will just find my self like the Apostle, Paul: stuff-less and coveting everything in sight. And what have I gained through loss; nothing.

Does life consist of the sum total of your stuff? Absolutely not. On the other hand is doesn’t consist of asceticism either. What it does consist of is a pursuit of Jesus; His will and His ways. To do that you will have to take your heart and hands off  of your idols, and let them be just what they are; stuff. And place your heart securely and squarely in Jesus’ hands.

If Jesus tells you to get rid of some stuff so you can make that transition…do it! He’s worth it. BUT don’t do it because some religious person tells you that there is virtue in stuff-less-ness; contentment is found neither in things or the lack there of, but in Christ.

So, am I still a stuff-aholic? Not so much anymore (though I do keep the Best Buy card frozen in a block of ice in our freezer…I’m free, but not stupid). Jesus has and is, and always will be filling those areas of insecurity and need in my life. The stuff in my life is no longer the stuff of my life, and it’s all at His disposal.

Would I let something I really enjoy, like the (gulp) Harley, go if Jesus asked me? In a heartbeat. What would I tell some person who told me that they thought to be a good Christian I should get rid of the Harley? That’s easy, “Stuff it.”

The roadmap lines on her aged face were as deeply etched as the convictions in her heart. Her natural beauty long since faded, she nevertheless radiated an inner strenght and beauty that is a rare find indeed. It was an inner fervor born of compassion, and a beauty stemming from the sweetness of a soul touched by the hand of the Savior.

Truely, it was the hand of the Savior who guided her gnarled hands; hands accustomed to toil, squalor, and misery. Yet they were hands of mercy, compassion, hope, and salvation. Mother Teresa: the hand of Jesus extended to the lowest of the low, yet one of the greatest Saints to epitomize His grace, humility, and love.

“Let the poor…eat you up,” she said. May we be consumed with the same compassion-that of our Lord’s heart for the lost and needy in our world.

We all know who Mother Teresa was. We admire her for her selflessness and ardent compassion for the suffering and poverty-stricken of Calcutta; we applaud her courage and convictions. We affirm her place as a heroine among saints, a unique individual with a unique call and even more unique dedication.

But should compassion for the poor (or anyone who suffers for that matter) and a willingness to come to their aid with the love of Jesus be so unique for followers of Christ?

Should compassion for the poor be unique among Christians, or uniquely Christian?

Can I be honest with you? Suffering bugs me. I’m not talking about my own personal suffering (which bugs me alot…if what minor discomforts I experience can actually be called suffering), but it’s the plight of others that really gets to me. Peoples’ suffering really affects me more than just feeling uncomforable or awkward. Many times I feel helpless to help, dumbfounded as what to say, and overcome emotionally by their difficulty. And to be painfully honest, at times I feel put out and worried about how much time compassion is going to cost me.

What is it about me that makes someone else’s suffering about me?

And, am I alone in this?

I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like to suffer as many do, but I do know what it is to be self-centered. And the best wasy to cure being me-focused is to become others-focused…and that happens when first, I become Jesus-focused.

If I’m going to truly follow Jesus, then I’m going to go where He goes, love whom He loves, care for whom He cares, and give of myself just as He did, and still does…through us!

The thing that makes Believers Fellowship Church uniquely Christian is not our religious rhetoric, but our selfless love for others and the willingness to have the poor eat us up, as we humbly and gratefully follow Jesus.

“I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.”  - Mother Teresa

Your eye stings from the saltiness; you reflexively wipe the sweat away with the back of your hand, heart pumping, chest heaving and legs aching. You glance around to see that your buddies - barely acquaintances a day earlier - are right there, stride for weary stride with you. Up ahead, the finish line calls like a surreal lover; arms outstretched, beckoning, wooing, and nearly unattainable.

Your subconscious breaks in on your finish line focus; as your sensory perception clears way the fog, you can hear the roar of a rival clan gaining from behind. From some unknown reserve deep within, a communal burst of new energy surges through you and your brothers, and as one you quicken your pace, renew your determination and block out the leaden legs and cramping sides.

With every pounding stride your  resolve stiffens; you will not let yourself, or your comrades down! As one you bellow your clan’s cheer again and again while the remaining yards melt away. Suddenly you’re there, the finish, your clan pours over the line; you did it, you beat the “Iron Man”!

Abruptly, fatigue gives way to pride and a soaring sense of accomplishment for you and your clan. Not only did you survive the “Iron Man”, but you achieved what many are unwilling to attempt; you dared stare into the abyss…you peered honestly into your soul and came away the stronger for it. You pushed past the vulnerability of Exposure; you’ve grown, you’ve conquered, and you had a heck of a lot of fun doing it!

Either that or you spent your weekend on some project or another…because let’s face it…why do Exposure when you can clean the garage? Yeah, sure, keep telling yourself that; maybe one day you’ll believe it.

So, blog on and give us your excuse, we’ll let you know if it’s lame or not. Trust us. Exposure, July 25-26, 2008.

Here’s a quick survey to see if you can handle the Exposure Men’s Event or not. Just circle the words that describe you.

Dangerous   harmless   Adventurous   tame   Competitive   passive   Bold   withdrawn   Daring   safe   Earthy   refined   Leader   follower   Courageous   timid   PowerAde   kool-aid   Leather   terry cloth   Character   dishonesty   Doer   whiner   Giver   taker   Team   self   Exposure   lame excuse

Four or more capital letters: You’re an Exposure-man!

Four or more lower case letters: You need Exposure, man!

Log on with your score and let us know what you think about the Exposure idea. Exposure, July 25-26, 2008.