The article where I state my position on almost everything we argue over in church
Have you ever held up a diamond and turned it under a light? I remember when I was getting ready to propose to my wife. I would sit outside, holding the ring in my hand and observing how each facet caught the light, shimmering and shining uniquely. It was the most captivating thing I’d ever seen…well, second to my actual wife anyway.
Every facet of a diamond is beautiful, so you’d be a fool to argue that the best facet is the one shining the brightest. Turn the diamond just slightly, and yet another surface will catch your eye even more gloriously!
Each of us has a particular, unique idea of “church” that resonates most deeply with our own heart, soul and mind. And that’s ok. We are created as unique and individual people.
When we run into trouble, it’s because we start to think that our own idea of church (and the expression of it) is the whole diamond, rather than just a facet. No one person’s comprehension of God is complete, so even when we respond as fully as we are able, we’re only shining back a portion of God’s character. That’s why community is important. It's when we look at each other that we start to see more and more of God’s beauty.
It’s when we look at each other that we start to see more and more of God’s beauty.
Solemn, reverent, musically intricate and rich in theology, hymns reflect a facet of God’s beauty.
Modern worship tunes, whether simple and meditative (some mistakenly use the word repetitive), or boisterous celebrations of freedom, reflect a facet of God’s beauty.
High church traditions, rooted in history, consistent in practice, and housed in stunning architecture, reflect a facet of God’s beauty.
Emerging denominations and movements, culturally aware and ready to see revival, reflect a facet of God’s beauty.
There’s no need for me to actually go through the (unfortunately long) list of all the things we often argue about in our churches, but hopefully the approach that I’m suggesting is clear.
Let’s realize that the image of God is only fully reflected in the context of community. Every expression, no matter how amazing, only reveals one facet of God’s fullness. It’s ok to gravitate towards some ways of “doing church” over others, but none of us have the whole diamond in our hand.
Next time you feel a debate coming on in regard to church—stop, and open your eyes to the beauty all around you.