Kick Off Your Sunday Shoes

I watched the movie Footloose last night for the first time. It's one of those classic movies that I've wanted to watch for a while but never found the time for it. I couldn't believe how much the story line tied into my current events. Here's a quick synopsis for those of you so un-cultured as to have never seen it. By the way, I highly recommend it. This is a tale of teen rebellion and repression. Kevin Bacon's character, Ren, moves from Chicago to a small Midwestern town. This town is set in the Bible belt and the local fundamentalist Christian church is the focal point. The pastor of said church seems more important than the mayor. Rock & roll music and dancing are viewed as sin and are thereby outlawed. They also banned various books based solely on their title. Obviously the plot is that Ren fights the elders to have a school dance.

As I watched this movie, sadly I wasn't shocked by the church's attitude. I grew up in the Bible belt and I know that many of the generation portrayed in the movie would love to ban all kinds of "sinful" behaviors. It's because of this atmosphere that Ren felt like an outsider and I fear many people do when they visit churches.

At church and small group, we've been discussing "church lingo" and how it makes newcomers feel excluded at times. This can be a hard concept for me, considering my background. But, when I consider it closely, the concept is simple. To people who weren't raised in church or the south, saying "Jesus came into my heart" sounds insane and calling them "brother" or "sister" is odd and can be off-putting. There are other ways to explain your salvation that sound more intelligent. I know we're the family of God but the "brother/sister" thing is sickly sweet, especially to a stranger. I consider many new and old friends my family! As Christians, we've created this subculture where watching rated R movies, drinking beer, and dancing are faux pas. Who are we to judge people, rather than love them? We raise up our morality higher than our relationship. Jesus dined with the lowest of the low in his society, yet we surround ourselves with "good" things and fear stepping out of our comfort zones to be in the world and not of the world. I know that's a thin line to walk, but I think we can all do a better job of it.

This may seem harsh but know that I'm talking mostly to myself here. If you're convicted, then so be it.