Overprotective

We've all seen those parents that watch their kids like a hawk, never letting them try anything remotely dangerous, shielding their eyes and minds from dissenting or possibly offensive views, babying them into a state of perpetual childhood.

Society has done it as well. When 9-11 happened, the policy of many schools in the days following was basically to pretend it didn't happen so the kids didn't traumatized. As a Kindergartner, I watched as the Challenger exploded on live TV in front of me and hundreds of thousands of elementary students. Most of us turned out OK.

There is a line, I should point out, between good parenting and sheltering or overprotecting our kids. Every parent flirts with it, and at times crosses it. Every one.

And the Church, like a parent, is no exception.

For years, it seems the Church has fostered an environment that works really hard to keep the world at bay. It has resulted in things like "Praise Hero," the Christian alternative to "Guitar Hero." And things like Christian Coffee Houses, and Christian Night Clubs, and anything that makes it possible for Christians to have all the things of the world without ever actually going to the world.

The overprotective nature of the Church has produced a cultural gap, as well as an artistic gap. Leaders have urged their followers to judge a movie based only on a rating, and not the actual content. It has just been safer to prohibit all alcohol rather than actually teach people self-control. And asking hard and deep questions about faith? Forget about it.

Now, we sit at a point where a generation of church-goers are graduating High School, tasting freedom and spitting the taste of Church out of their mouth. They are seeing there are good things in Christ, but there are bad teachings coming from their churches. They hear Jesus say they should love the drunks and the adulterers and the thieves, but are told by the church to stay away from places they hang out, lest they be corrupted. They hear Jesus say "Come to me all who are weary," but see their churches cast weary looks at people who come to church but just don't "fit" with the congregation.

What is the answer? Is it freedom?

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. --Galatians 5:1

The obvious response is that we should seek freedom from the 'laws' the churches have made. Paul was often telling people things along those lines. That Grace had come, and the Law was not your yoke anymore, so don't wear it that way. We can do what we want, right?

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. --Galatians 5:13

Yes, we have freedom, but we also need discernment- wisdom to make the right choice with that freedom. And clearly, God's call is that we use our freedom to better others. What does that look like?

Just this week, I met with two different students whose interests are not interests the Church knows much of what to do with lately.

Ashley is an artist, and a creative. God has placed an idea on her heart, a vision to paint in public as a way to share Christ. A way to connect with people by painting what they tell her about themselves, and offering them hope and beauty in the form of art that reflects Christ. I am not an artist, but I appreciate it. More than that, I appreciate a heart that God made to love art and create art, a heart that beats for His Glory. So, I encouraged her, gave her hope (I hope), and I pray God uses her.

Daniel plays video games and likes comic books. In passing, a few weeks ago, I mentioned to him I believed that we can find a way to worship God in our interests, no matter how seemingly nonspiritual they may seem. Daniel told me this week of how, when playing a video game, he managed to connect with a young man, and they began to talk about God. This young man was feeling kind of lonely, and Daniel started a friendship based in Christ.

We as the church must not fear the world we live in. We must enter it with caution, but, we must enter it. We must take risks, try new things, and dare to attempt things that may fail or hurt us. And we must encourage our brothers and sisters to pursue their hopes and dreams that come from God- not try to protect them from those visions.