The problem with writing about church, emerging church, house church, simple church, traditional church is that we can get focused on structure or lack-of-structure or whatever and still miss the one thing that is essential regardless of how we “do church”: the character of those involved.
I would rather hang out with one person of character and integrity who is giving his all to traditional forms of church and leadership than 1,000 people who have prophetic vision, cultural insight, and emerging church savvy but who lack this essential.
In fact, I just plain want to be with people of character. Period. These are people you can do relationship with, build trust with, share your life with, count on. These are people whose lives point to Christ, not because they are always saying so, but because they so genuinely don’t point to themselves. These are people who actually care how others are doing, how other people’s ministries are developing, and what struggles others are facing. These are people who build Kingdom rather than their own kingdoms regardless of where they are serving. These are people who are often passed over in every, and I mean every, circle of Christianity because they are truly seeking to serve rather than stand out. These are people who are willing to risk greatly for God yet content to remain unnoticed. These are people who will care about you long after you are no longer part of “their ministry.” These are people who are who they are, who live with integrity, and with whom you always know where you stand.
Unfortunately, this is a somewhat rare breed of person.
Or, am I being unfair?
I found myself saying the most cynical thing the other day. I was talking to a young man about his dating life. He said that he thought it might be interesting to evaluate personalities, using something like Myers-Briggs, to determine whether or not there would be good compatibility. I suggested that he would be far better off concerning himself with the character of those he dates rather than personality. But then, yes I said it, here it is, I actually said… “Unfortunately, it’s hard to find Christian people who also have good character.”
Is that cynicism or reality? I’m not sure. I just know that character is essential and that I hope to develop my own and hang out with others with the same desire.
Comments
3 responses to “Character Is Essential”
It is a rare breed that does not seek to have you join them but who make every attempt to help you be released into what Father has for you!
Wayne Jacobsen is one of those types if you don’t know of Wayne go to http://www.lifestream.org that is his site.
The main focus of WaterCarriers.org is to come beside others in anyway we can in order that the world may know Jesus.
Good post keep it up!
Peace
I was recently told that character is how you act when no one is looking. I think this is part of it, but I feel another important part is how I act when I am around different people. Are my morals adjusted to fit the situation? In an attempt to be accepted I have allowed situations to dictate my behavior. If I use how I act alone as a baseline I can say that I usually don’t act any worse in a given situation. My problem has been acting better than I am to suit the situation. I always felt that the traditional church expected this behavior.
Since I have been involved in a smaller group setting I have started to see the potential for open honest relationship with people. I have never before felt safe enough to show the real me, with all my faults. Not the surface faults that I am actively working on but the real one that I don’t know what to do with. It’s still a struggle but I feel that I have begun to make steps in the right direction.
So I don’t think it’s cynical to think t it’s hard to find Christian people who also have good character. I think it is just a realistic view of how many people have responded to Church.
I look forward to being around people who desire to explore their character.
Good questions and good thoughts, all of them.
I’m wondering if the term “character” is not specific enough, and if there are other specific traits we’re talking about. One that comes to mind is humility. You don’t hear people of character bragging and trying to look good or be recognized. Another is the desire to serve rather than be served.