The Church and flourishing among the perishing

(above: demolition of a large Catholic church in Montreal)

Over the last two weeks I have witnessed some powerful perspectives in the church… in Montreal… in our modern times.

I’ve sat in on meetings with the Anglican Diocese of Montreal,
Visited a Catholic community meeting in the basement of building they had to sell,
Participated in a Baptist ministers meeting
Organized and taught a workshop on love to a small group of Catholic tweeners
And, last night I taught about love to an inner city youth group (of which my oldest son is a member).

My head and spirit have been spinning.

About the church… about its people… about our Gospel…

In short, A LOT of people have left the church (across the board). Inside the church, some are scurrying in panic and others are courageously and passionately abiding in Jesus and working to make his will done on this Earth like it is in heaven.

I ran across this song that paints the picture of someone who has left the church (I’m a sucker for ballads:)

The lyrics are below.

May the Peace and message of Christ richly dwell in your hearts. Jesus sees us. – Tim

Lyrics, Jesus and John by the group Gungor.

John he was raised with a steeple over his head
Lived in the suburbs and memorized scripture at night before bed
And he won a prize
Preachers and teachers would tell him where all sinners go
Prayed for revival but showed him a fancy carnival show
Was it a lie
Was it a lie

John saw the lies
He saw the steeples
And saw all the people get it wrong

Went off to college and came home with knowledge to spare,
Of crusades and slave trades, and all of the blood that was spilled in God’s name.
And all of the lies.
But John couldn’t buy it, He just couldn’t buy it again,
Church was too small so he just threw it all up to chaos and chance.
And all of the lies,
All of the lies.
John saw the lies,
Oh, he saw the steeples,
And saw all the people get it wrong.

Jesus sees John,
Jesus sees steeples.
He sees all His people get it wrong.
Trust Jesus, John.
Trust Jesus, people.
Jesus will come and save us all