Brad Pitt and the Church

   In a recent interview in Rolling Stone magazine, Brad Pitt was asked a direct question.
Did you go to church every Sunday ? He answered: “Yeah. And it was too much of what you shouldn’t be doing instead of what you could be doing.”
   What’s interesting, is this is coming from someone who has done more for social justice than most christians. Granted, he has more money than 99% of christians (minus Joel Osteen and Pat Robertson). But after a lifelong attendance of church, his final summary of God’s answer to the world is that it’s not doing enough. I think most Christ followers today would probably agree to this as well. We’ve made great strides with Katrina, and clean water in Africa but there is still a lot that can be done. The question, outside of this bigger issue is, does this drive people away from church? I assume by his interview that Brad no longer attends a church. I would assume that he probably isn’t the only one that feels like this.
   I think we are beginning to see this trend more prevalent in our 18-25 year old’s. The thought that social justice and the church are one in the same is a concept that young adults are moving to and moving away from the local church. Of course this isn’t everyone, but there is a certain unrest amongst this generation of young adults and even teenagers. I’ve talked about how each generation finds a coarse or cause (within the church) to stand behind. When I was growing up, the church (in general) was big on “holiness”. The distinct difference between us and the world. As we evolved, the church moved to an evangelistic/outreach centered movement. We began to see the emergence of mega-churches like Bill Hybels at Willow Creek Church, Joel Osteen in Texas, and Rick Warren at Saddleback Church. Now we see the church and this generation gravitating towards a social justice approach. We are no longer content with “playing” church, but desire to “be” the church. And in another 10 years, we’ll be on to something else. This isn’t a bad thing, and in fact it’s all scriptural. It’s just the seasons we move to and from as a church body. God usually uses the next generation of leaders to shine a light on an issue that the Spirit is leading the church to. This is the beauty of the church. It’s not shiny and pretty, but it’s always moving in the right direction.
   I say this all to say this. If you are discontent with where “the church” is now, then do something about it. If you are one to stand on the side and complain that the church doesn’t do this or the church doesn’t do that, then get up and do it yourself. Maybe God is placing you in this day and age for a reason. And maybe those feelings and passions are there for a purpose. Maybe, just maybe, you are the generations next leader to lead the church into the promised land. Don’t be like Brad and separate the church from yourself. YOU ARE THE CHURCH. You and the people around you. So get up and do something or just shut up.