What should I measure?

I would like to talk a little bit about works of service. I know its out of order from what I listed a couple of posts ago, but on Wednesday night our high school group had a great conversation that fits this and if I don't share it will forget it before to long.

Every summer we go down to San Clemente Pier and have a time to hang out and then sing some worship songs and have a bit of discussion. I use to have more of a devotion but I found these almost pointless. Most students didn't listen, and really it wasn't their fault. The environment is set up for them not to pay attention. There is a fire that is mesmerizing, an ocean to admire, every 15 minutes there is the metro link that comes through, so many things that makes it even more difficult to keep focused. 

What we do now is a guided discussion where I ask questions and let them dialogue through it. Sometimes this works great and other times the dialogue just isn't there. 

Wednesday night, as we begin to prepare for the fall, I asked the question, "if Jesus were back on earth as flesh and blood, do you think he would come to our church?" This is a pretty dangerous question, but that's why it makes for a good discussion question. 

To my surprise the students began to talk mainly about how our music is what was important to worship God. In my mind I was thinking, is this really what we are talking about, and do you really think Jesus would be concerned about the music we played? Plus I thought, I taught on worship several times and made sure to emphasis that music is a small aspect of worship but it is not the epitome of worship.

Then all of a sudden someone said that they thought Jesus would be ashamed of us if he were to walk into our church. Then others chimed in and said that we have it so good and Jesus wasn't around those who had it good, but those in need.

So then I asked them in scriptures where do you find Jesus the most? They said with the sick, outcast, the hurting, the people in need. Then they said Jesus went to secluded areas to find rest, recuperate, and to listen to God. Then they said the only time they see Jesus in "church" of their day, is when he is flipping over tables, and teaching the people how to live for God. 

I asked the question one more time, and they started to say that they think Jesus would come to our church to teach us how to live for God, but we would find him more in places like the middle east, in Georgia, in Compton, and where ever else there is the biggest need. 

The students made a huge shift from critiquing our church by the music we play and calling that worship, to realizing that Jesus would be in the midst of people that no one else wants to be around, the people in a great need. 

Jesus was on a mission and because of that he was constantly out serving/healing people. If we are to measure our progress, we must take a look at how we are out with the people who are in need, who are unloved, who are the outcasts and sinners.