I was at work today. We have a laid back atmosphere there - it's very cool. Today at one point we were sitting around looking at old photos of each other, laughing, etc. One of my coworkers happened to ask me about my Catholic background. She had been raised in the Catholic Church - she and her husband both - but her experience was not good apparently. She did not connect with faith in Jesus through that vehicle. They were "saved" later, through someone sharing with them in a more "moment of salvation by praying a prayer of reception" kind of deal. I informed her I wasn't raised Catholic - I became Catholic "on my own" - I became a Christian through that vehicle when I was 13. I was raised "unchurched."

I think this took her aback. She didn't quite know what to think about that. She and one other person said - "that's amazing" - meaning it was amazing that I had "accepted Christ" and had actually become a Christian through the Catholic Church. Interesting. Not that I haven't heard things like that before. She wanted to know more about that story - so I told her. It was funny. I think at one point she began being "concerned" about me (in a polite way) that perhaps I wasn't a real Christian. Note - I've just put that thought in her head. I'm not saying this "against" her at all. I'm just sharing a story to make a point. She asked me if the Priest in the catechism had actually shared with me the Gospel story, forgiveness of sins, etc. I said, "of course - it's all right there in the catechism - who Jesus was/is, why He came and died, the whole picture of the core of our common Christian faith." Something like that anyway. I mentioned that no one may have said to me "do you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?" but that the whole conversation, the catechetical presentation was an offer - an offer laid out to be accepted.

I think she was fine. This interaction just brought that issue to the forefront. Am I not "saved" because I didn't pray this "sinner's prayer" with someone who "shared with me" a certain version of the gospel story??? Maybe you think I'm not either. Well, hmmm. Obviously I think you're wrong. I don't think the revivalist argument holds water. If I have a deep faith and trust in Jesus, in the Father and the Holy Spirit and I live this faith daily am I not "in Him?" I think I am. Not because I do things, but because of the faith that was spawned by His Grace - that has made me alive. Now, I'm not actively within the Roman Catholic Church at this time. That is not because I think it to be illegitimate or "not Christian." That's ignorance! I didn't "get saved" and leave what I thought to be Babylon. Again, ignorance. I have simply moved with what I thought God was leading me to do along the way. That's not the point though.

What about this? Do we have to have a particular moment in time to harken back to in order to be considered truly Christian? Or can our faith grow and develop and become mature and we just ARE a Christian and we might not really "know" when the Holy Spirit took up residence in us??? I strongly think the latter most option to be the case. We may well have a "moment," but I would never accept that it's necessary. This community - Vine & Branches - is not one where you'll see emotionally charged "altar calls" or even offers to pray a sinner's prayer, ever. We are in Him. We are walking this transformational journey. We walk this journey of faith in the world, in and among those who aren't walking it. We live it openly and are ready to "offer" it to others if they are open. Then, perhaps, they will come along side us and begin walking in the same direction and find the wonderful surprise of faith growing in their hearts eventually. That is what we pray. That is our evangelism.

| posted by + Alan | 9:55 PM | |