suburban christian
Posted on February 11, 2008 by Rebecca Matheson
Filed Under Church, Emerging Questions
I was having a conversation with a friend recently about her mum’s thoughts on being a Christian in middle class suburbia and how both natural and difficult it is. (Some of these are my extended thoughts).
The Church and Christian events such as conferences are exceptional at preaching the ‘go get out there’. There is nothing acclaimed what-so-ever about living to your fullest from your house in the suburbs in your everyday job. We uphold these ‘Christian’ Heroes as those who have gone long and far and done big things.
I am not saying that there aren’t individuals that should wind up as overseas missionaries - because I grew up in a household where that was precisely the case and it’s something that has deeply influenced who I am now. There is a need for cross cultural mission. And it’s not as glamorous as it sounds.
Likewise, we shout the praise of working in a church, as a pastor, youth pastor, as someone who runs some enormous ministry. And we jump on the assumption that many church ‘attendees’ are just that. Attendees on Sunday. And many of them are.
I would like the encouragement put there for the majority of Christian suburbia. To actually be effective right where they are.
Yes I help lead a youth group. A very strangely small youth group for the size of our church, but it’s not the role that I love. Geoff tells me that I fluctuate a lot in how much I like leading youth. There is usually several times a year I swear not to be involved any more and hate rocking up on Friday nights. But I love, I love the kids I’ve gotten to know. I love seeing their growth and maturity. It’s so much more important.
Just be interested in people. Just love Jesus and what he’s on about. What more is there to being a Christian? The collective claim positives on fame, but individuals don’t give a rats at position really.
And position is so far from the point, church is sometimes a scary place.
Take risks at home.
(This post has is an edited extract from “Suburban Christian” at all said and done)
About Rebecca Matheson
Rebecca is a 21 year old communication design student who gets forced to post on amateurtheology.org as a condition of her marriage to Geoff. She leads a youth girls small group at Yarra Valley Vineyard and has been blogging about God stuff for almost 3 years.
Rebecca's site: http://allsaidanddone.com
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As you said…..”Just be interested in people. Just love Jesus and what he’s on about”…..If we do this we will make a difference in the lives of those we come into contact with and we will make a difference in the Kingdom as well! No position, no status, no job title other then, Beloved Child of God.