The Church and the Solution

November 11, 2011 by Brian McLaren

Continued from Page 1

Yes, there are many things in our churches that are easy targets for criticism. Yes, some of our churches and some of our Christianities are part of the problem. But be careful, as the old parable says (Matthew 13:24-30): if you try to pull up all the weeds, you'll dislodge some of the wheat too . . . the tender shoots of faith and devotion growing up in truly important people like that special boy.

I feel it week after week, speaking in congregations across the country that include people so sincere and bright and ready to go that you can't care how many or few they are, how rich or poor, how old or young, or how influential or marginal. You just know that people like this have what our world needs, that they're part of the solution. You know that their spark is going to catch fire and spread, and that what is in them—faith, hope, love, wisdom, humility—can heal what ails us, and will heal it, as long as they don't lose heart.

Which is why I didn't want to let my previous post with its potentially discouraging title go unchallenged.

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11/11/2011 5:00:00 AM

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Naked Theology

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About Brian McLaren

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and networker among innovative Christian leaders. His dozen-plus books include A New Kind of Christianity, A Generous Orthodoxy, Naked Spirituality, and Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? He and his wife, Grace, live in Florida and have four adult children and four grandchildren. He's an avid wildlife and outdoors enthusiast. His newest book, We Make the Road by Walking, is available now and offers 52+ fresh readings of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.

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