Performance

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6

Recently I’ve been doing lots of pondering about church(es). Actually a bit more than recently. As my friend B. says, “I’m not having a crisis of faith, I’m having a crisis of church.”

One of the things that has troubled me is the “performance” of the churches – at least in North America. Performance is what the church does. When the sounding of a gong is used to attract, you will retain no more than do secular performers, who are at least well paid! This kind of performance is difficult to address as an individual.

Performance is also what the church expects. When glorifying God is no more than a series of checkboxes and a set of rituals, then performance inhibits growth and maturity. Where is the substance of things hoped for?

Performance also sets the stage for judgment and condemnation, ala the Pharisees and Sadducees. That stage is a limitation of the Spirit – and in some instances a denial of the working of the Holy Spirit, placing one dangerously close to attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan.

Finally, performance can also encourage the idol of Me. I’m in control. I checked the boxes. I did things the right way: I washed my hands correctly, I said all the right words, I didn’t walk too far on the Sabbath.

In some ways we mix performance and convenience in dangerous ways. How do we “Sabbath”? Is it worship or is it performance?

Sometimes I’m not sure.