Mediocrity in the Name of Christ
Why is it that when we speak about the Christian version of most anything, be it movies, music, or any other creative endeavor, it’s rarely set to the same standard of quality that their professional counterpart is based upon? The bar seems to automatically be lowered if the word ‘Christian’ is placed before it. It’s almost as though the word ‘remedial’ becomes synonymous with anything labeled as Christian. And yet doesn’t God deserve our absolute best in anything that we put forth, especially in His own name?
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
When I see the full measure of talent and creativity blossom for the kingdom, I get really excited since there are so few examples to draw upon. Music groups like Life House, or movies like The Passion of Christ, or the Rob Bell video series Nooma are all fantastic productions that have every bit of merit from a creative perspective and don’t use the crutch that money is the stumbling block to quality.
One group that really gets this message is The Center of Church Communication. One of their initiatives is a website called Church Marketing Sucks (I like the ‘controversial’ title). Here is their mission statement:
“Our mission is to frustrate, educate and motivate the church to communicate, with uncompromising clarity, the truth of Jesus Christ. Church Marketing Sucks is a part of the Center for Church Communication, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the church matter.”
Clear, concise and straight to the point. The Center for Church Communication bucks the trend of mediocrity in the name of Christ.
However, I’m not speaking just about large, public, mass-consumed offerings. Shouldn’t this also apply to our daily work at the workplace, in the home, raising our kids? Shouldn’t Christians be set apart by being known as a group of people who give 110% in every effort? Sadly it’s not. This is not a call to perfection, but a call that says that everything we do, should be thought of as giving it to God which should be our absolute best effort. We will fall short of perfection, we might not have as much natural talent as others, but God still demands our best. What might that look like if we are known for our work ethic instead of being known as one of the many stereotypical labels that Christians bear?
Admittedly, I fall short in this area. I am guilty of not giving God my best when I procrastinate, when I am lazy, and when I put forth a half-effort. However, if I dwell on the verse in Colossians, I am reminded to run the race as best I can.
To follow, without halt, one aim: There’s the secret of success.