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Real. Comfortable. Church. That was the billboard that overlooked the highway cutting through Knoxville for quite a while. The picture of a couch behind these words made the meaning clear – we want you to be as relaxed as possible while worshipping the King of kings.

A culture of informality has swept over this nation. Casual Fridays are now the norm in many areas – I still hesitate to sign over my hard earned check to a bank teller that is dressed down. At a local eatery that I frequent, I routinely see men and women dressed in what must be pajamas coming in to get breakfast. Customer service agents call me by my first name without asking permission. It seems that at times we are working very hard to break down the structures of civilization – all in the name of being comfortable.

This informality has spilled over into our churches. Dress for church was a special thing – our Sunday best. A tie at the least, a tie AND jacket would be preferred. Women were also tastefully and modestly dressed. The overall goal of Sunday clothes was not to show off what we have – but to put on the best garments for the formal worship of our Creator. Jackets and ties now are often the exception in our houses of worship. The standard attire for Sunday mornings is now polo shirts and pants (or shorts) for the men and comfortable (and often very revealing) dress for the women. Pastors have left their robes in the closet, and now preach in jeans and golf shirts.

Back to the billboard. In order to be theologically correct, they should have tagged on this warning: “Choose Two.” A Real Church cannot be comfortable – as the Word of God rightly preached often convicts to the very soul. A Comfortable Church is not real – as it will never address the issues that face faith and life in a biblical and fruitful way. As for being Real Comfortable – staying at home on the couch is where we would find that.

What we need is a true revival in our churches. A revival of spirit – so we may correctly and faithfully follow the Holy Spirit in all that we do. We need a revival of purpose – so that we may carry out Christ’s command. We need a revival in community – for only together can we hold each other accountable. And a revival of attitude – for we are saved by grace by none other than the King of kings and Lord of lords. In that, and not in our pursuit of the informal, may we find our comfort.

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin sick soul.

A balm, a salve, a healing and soothing ointment.  It seems that in these days of economic and moral distress, we all are seeking something not to just take away the pain, but that will also  bring healing as well.  No matter what side of the political aisle  we find ourselves, all of us have “fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)  In that shortfall is the source of our pain, our grief, and our sorrow.  It makes sense that our separation from the Author of all Joy only results in emptiness.

Some times I feel discouraged,
And think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.

I love this spiritual because it gets right down to brass tacks – I hurt, I am depressed, and I am not getting anywhere.  And we all feel that way at times.  But then, it reminds us that in the Holy Spirit, we are revived.  Given that this is a spiritual that grew out of the agony of slavery, we can see that this simple trust in Jesus takes away even the deepest of sorrow.  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

If you can’t preach like Peter,
If you can’t pray like Paul,
Just tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.

Of course, our faith is not just about us.  We are also to bring this balm to others.  Not all of us can preach, nor teach, nor lead thousands in prayer with elegant words.  But, we can share the love of Christ with those around us – through our actions and words.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

My father-in-law and collegue T. M. Moore has posted a good article at his website.

I wonder if the country has ever been as politically divided as it is today. There have always been deep political divisions in America. One thinks of Jefferson and Adams, Lincoln and Douglas, and even Nixon and virtually any Democrat. But the attitudes of spite and malice that characterize the worst political machinations have generally been confined to handfuls of people. Today the rancor, name-calling, and rage are spreading throughout the electorate and the nation as a whole. Witness the outrage over the interrogation memos and the heated confrontations over gay marriage. The idea of America as one nation under God is officially obsolete; it no longer exists. “My America” is now the nation of choice, while “your America” is an enemy to be vilified and crushed. What passes for public debate – radio talk shows and cable TV news – only enhances the rage and deepens the rifts. There is nothing on the horizon to offer any hope for uniting the nation around the idea of the nation and all its glorious vision, purpose, and heritage. This is the result of the politicization of American life, the view that everything of interest or importance can be reduced to politics and resolved through party action. Party lines have been drawn clearly and definitively, and each side is simply waiting and hoping that the other will screw up so royally that a window of opportunity will appear through which they can grab power and further the cause of their America while they may. Saddest of all this is the impotence of the Church to bring reason, reconciliation, or peace to the nation. We’re too compromised, too alienated, and too ill-informed to offer anything but more fuel to the fire. But we must not give up and we must not despair. Ours is the responsibility of seeking to promote the welfare of the nation for all its citizens, and prayer is the place to begin. Let the end of politics not be irreparable division, but incessant prayer for revival and renewal throughout the land.

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