Christianity Isn’t Target Practice

In cleaning out my inbox, I found this clip from high school.

I can’t quite remember what this was for, but I think it was a Sunday School curriculum.

Beyond being embarrassed by my southern twang and my clothing decisions, I was embarrassed with how similar my flawed theology resembles the conversations in public schools today.

In the high-stakes testing environment that is engulfing our schools, we are targeting students who instructional coaches or administrators have highlighted as possibilites for marked improvement on state standardized tests. As for the other students?

They have no chance of a grade level’s worth of improvement.

We don’t worry about them.

They aren’t important.

This mindset has infiltrated our churches. We aren’t worried about individuals as much as we are about the highlighted potential of improving conversion numbers or church membership.

If you aren’t convinced of this, listen to the interview again.

I have applied for a Master’s of Divinity at Gardner-Webb for the fall. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m scared to death. I’m scared I will embarrass myself, that I will say something wrong, that I won’t fit in, but I have to try.

Christianity shouldn’t be like target practice.

I have to attempt to make a difference.