Withness 8: Who's Your Zacchaeus? You Need a Reject

We live in a world of differences. Despite what society attempts to do us as it seeks to mold and "cookie cutter" us into the ideal person, we are all created differently - physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. These differences make us unique, but often times when these differences are extreme, "others" begin to look at us in a different way. Maybe we try to get their attention by the things we say or the things we do. Maybe we try to avoid the attention by trying to hide. Whatever the case, we are who we are - no matter what we do.

That is the world that Zacchaeus lived in. Like Sweet, I grew up learning the song about Zacchaeus being a "wee little man" and how he climbed up in the sycamore tree to try to see Jesus. But I often think we fail to realize what drove Zacchaeus there in the first place - he was a reject of society. Why? Zacchaeus wasn't a reject because of his height (however I am sure he probably was a sight since he is described as a "wee little man" for centuries later), but because of who he was and what he had become. The lowest of the low in the eye of the people - not just tax collector, but the chief tax collection. Not just the chief tax collector, but the cheating chief tax collector.

So why do we need a Zacchaeus in our lives?

Unlike any other of the 11 relationships that Sweet identifies, your Zacchaeus first requires something from you (not someone having something to give).

So who is a Zacchaeus? Sweet identifies five characteristics that help us ask questions of ourselves:
(1) Zaccheaus is someone up a tree. Do you know someone who is trully messed up, an outsider? How have you developed a relationship with this person?

(2) Zacchaeus is a one-of-a-kind, an iconoclast. Do you know someone who challenges you to think outside the box about who you are, what you do, or what you believe? Does this person challenge your faith - is it authentic or copy cat?

(3) Zacchaeus is "out there". Usually these people are not found in church, because they know they can't "fit in" to church culture. Do you know someone who is very spiritual but does not attend church? How does this person challenge your faith?

(4) Zacchaeus is Trouble. Do you know someone who is always getting in trouble, or rubbing people the wrong way? Does this person rub you the wrong way? How does this challenge you?

(5) Zacchaeus is inefficient. Boy this really got to me! Sweet argues that sometime we need to be inefficient in our lives, and our Zacchaeus will challenge us or keep us up to it. Do you have someone in your life who makes you get out of your set ways? How does this challenge your faith?

Put them all together and you have your Zacchaeus.

Sweet makes some very challenging statements about the church - one that should cause us to think and question.

"The Christian church is too "in here" and not enough "out there". What do you think Sweet meant by this statement? How does this apply to your church setting?

"Jesus had a ready eye to eat and spend the night with the village fools and outcasts wherever they were found...For Jesus it wasn't a sacrifice to do this - it was a passion. Even a pleasure." When was the last time you as a Christian spent some time with a social outcast? Does your church do better at identifiying the outcasts, or creating relationships with the outcasts?

"I have written elsewhere of authentic Christianity as GOOD religioun where GOOD is an acroynym for Get-Out-Of-Doors. How BAD (Behind-A-Door) is your church? How might you make it GOOD again?"

"How early should we encourage our kids to include Zacchaeuses in their network of friends? How would you encourage your kids to find their inner Zacchaeus?"

Chapter 12: Church - How I Go without Getting Angry

Interesting title of chapter to say the least. I am sure that Mark and I will pay special attention to this week's discussion. And to start off without saying, I think it is next to impossible to never get upset or angry at church. I work at church. I get angry at church. The church is an imperfect institution, because it is created and exists because of imperfect people. What makes church "work" is the power of God and His Spirit that breathes into the institution and empowers it to minister. Enough for my soapbox, let's look at some of Miller's thoughts.

And by the way, since this is a "church" subject and I am asking for your honest impressions, do not hesitate to be honest. Mark and I both learn and grow and help model the church into what the people desire. Be honest, we won't be offended.

(1) Miller lists three things that he does not like about "church". The first, "I felt like people were trying to sell me Jesus." Second, "They seemed to be parrots for the Republican Party." And finally, "The churches I would attend would embrace the war metaphor." What do you think about Miller's list? Do these things bother you? Do you feel the same way as he does? What else would you add to the list?

(2) Miller then goes on to describe the new church he joined, Imago-Dei. He lists the things that he likes about the church. The first, "It is spiritual." (not religious) Second, "Imago Dei supports the arts." (free expression) Third, "Community." (Part of a famiy - loneliness is not good) And finally, "Authenticity." (being yourself) What do you think of Miller's list? Do you agree with these things? Do you see these at FBC Elon? What would you add to the list about FBC Elon?

(3) Miller understands that people can get frustrated about church. When you talk about faith and religion, people take it personally. He gives a three step plan to do so you don't get angry at church. First, "Pray that God will show you a church filled with people who share your interests and values." Second, "Go to the church God shows you." Third, "Don't hold grudges against any other churches. God loves those churches almost as much as He loves you." Based on Miller's three step plan, do you think this would work? Based on previous church attending experience, would this have changed which church you attended? Which one of these steps do you think would be the hardest for you?

I look forward to the discussion...