In recent gatherings of clergy and lay leaders concerned about years of difficult and painful denominational debates and quarrels threatening the peace, purity and unity of the Church, a new, albeit also ancient, lament can often be heard. In the words of the Psalmist, the lament goes “How long, O Lord, how long?” On the lips of some Christians today the lament often takes the form of frustration, irritation and even anger that conflicts and controversies continue year after year with no definitive end clearly in sight. One pastor put it this way: “I’m sick and tired of having to deal with these issues year after year. Either they go away or I will go away.”
This desire to withdraw from persistent struggles and seek greener pastures, with no irksome controversies or votes, is understandably tempting. We have important positive work to do in sharing the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. Must we be distracted by protracted denominational disagreements about ordination standards and sexual behavior? Why should we bother with those, even those who name the name of Christ as we do, who advocate views which we passionately believe are not true to Scripture? To put it bluntly, some ask: Isn’t 20 years long enough? Isn’t it time to quit?
After these twenty years of being personally involved in what some call “the sexuality wars,” I know the feeling. While there may be some who are energized by repeated calls to battle, I suspect that I am not the only one who, at least sometimes, finds these conflicts debilitating and discouraging.
But I had the privilege recently of ministry with World Vision in Cambodia which gave me a fresh perspective on the church in the U.S.
The first day I arrived in Cambodia I was given the obligatory tour of the “killing fields” and of the notorious Toul Sleng prison where the piles of skulls and bones along with instruments of torture remain as a horrifying reminder of the Pol Pot reign of terror and the approximately 2 million men, women and children who perished. In the terrible years of systematic genocide with the resulting hunger, famine and destruction, the small community of Christians in Cambodia experienced great suffering. One estimation is that more than 8000 Christians and 27 out of 33 pastors/Christian leaders were martyred through starvation or brutality. Even when the Pol Pot regime was finally overthrown by the Vietnamese, conditions improved only slightly and very slowly. Thousands lived for years in refugee camps in Thailand cut off from home and family. During my time in Cambodia, I heard numerous stories of surviving Christians who had lost dozens of family members, many who had endured barbarities beyond belief and yet who continued courageously faithful to Jesus Christ through it all. They didn’t give up; they persevered, clinging to Jesus and trusting God. They often prayed through tears. Where they saw no human hope, they turned all the more to God for strength and help.
It was a long, terrible time, and yet … whether in the camps, in exile or in the underground Church, most remaining Christians were faithful and God was at work. The power of their witness to Christ is staggering. The Gospel was shared, churches were planted and thousands came to faith while in the refugee camps. New leaders emerged and were discipled. House churches continued to meet in secret to worship and witness to the mercy and grace of God. New believers joined them. When, in the 1990s, the Church could function more openly, the seeds of rebirth and renewal began to grow. Today there are almost 1000 Cambodian churches and more than 60,000 adult believers. Life in Cambodia is still difficult with new challenges like HIV/AIDS and much corruption. The Church faces the challenge of discipling large numbers of new believers with few resources. There are too few jobs and too much poverty. But the Church is vital, alive and growing.
I was humbled and challenged by my time with these Christians, by their smiles, their suffering, their dedication and their joy in Christ. I’m encouraged that they didn’t and don’t give up. Many who had been forced to flee in exile to more comfortable communities overseas returned to minister in the difficult circumstances of their homeland. Soon after my return, I read these words in the New Testament Letter to the Hebrews:
Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward …. Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. (Hebrews 12:2-4, NLT)
In our struggles in the American church, I find it helpful to gain perspective and patience by focusing on two things—both suggested in the 12th chapter of Hebrews. The first is to stay focused and centered in Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. This does not eliminate problems but it does set them in the proper context and proportion, balanced out by the “eternal weight of glory” in Christ. Christ does rule and will rule; we can follow him with patience. He has been there before us and walks with us now. The Church is not ours but his. He has promised that it will not be conquered by evil. This truth should not inspire passivity but confidence!
The second reminder is to remember that we carry on in presence of a “great cloud of witnesses.” I believe that these witnesses include not only the saints of old, but also those faithful Christians of Cambodia and throughout the world. Our struggles pale compared with others. The US church is not the only nor the whole of the Christian community. The issues we face are serious but not impossible. We need to get a grip and stand strong.
It is my conviction that faithfulness to Christ calls us to persevere in the situation where He has placed us unless or until we are given very clear permission to move. Impatience or dislike of conflict are not reason enough to withdraw or quit. As long as we have freedom and opportunity to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ, calling people to saving faith and a holy life, we should not abandon our vows and give up. No foot soldier picks the place where they will serve; only the generals do that, presumably because they see the bigger picture. Jesus Christ is far superior to all forces and powers and knows the future for his Church in ways that we cannot. His weapons are the weapons of love and righteousness, not of withdrawal or force. By the work of His Spirit, we receive the gifts we need to make our contribution, in the place where he assigns us. Standing for the truths of Scripture is not a distraction but a responsibility and an opportunity. Proclaiming and demonstrating the power of the Gospel to transform all of human life is an awesome privilege. With patience and perseverance, we can bear faithful witness where God calls us.
This article first appeared in Theology Matters, Vol. 7, No. 5 (Sep/Oct 2001).
