The problem with writing about church, emerging church, house church, simple church, traditional church is that we can get focused on structure or lack-of-structure or whatever and still miss the one thing that is essential regardless of how we "do church": the character of those involved.
I would rather hang out with one person of character and integrity who is giving his all to traditional forms of church and leadership than 1,000 people who have prophetic vision, cultural insight, and emerging church savvy but who lack this essential.
In fact, I just plain want to be with people of character. Period. These are people you can do relationship with, build trust with, share your life with, count on. These are people whose lives point to Christ, not because they are always saying so, but because they so genuinely don't point to themselves. These are people who actually care how others are doing, how other people's ministries are developing, and what struggles others are facing. These are people who build Kingdom rather than their own kingdoms regardless of where they are serving. These are people who are often passed over in every, and I mean every, circle of Christianity because they are truly seeking to serve rather than stand out. These are people who are willing to risk greatly for God yet content to remain unnoticed. These are people who will care about you long after you are no longer part of "their ministry." These are people who are who they are, who live with integrity, and with whom you always know where you stand.
Unfortunately, this is a somewhat rare breed of person.
Or, am I being unfair?
I found myself saying the most cynical thing the other day. I was talking to a young man about his dating life. He said that he thought it might be interesting to evaluate personalities, using something like Myers-Briggs, to determine whether or not there would be good compatibility. I suggested that he would be far better off concerning himself with the character of those he dates rather than personality. But then, yes I said it, here it is, I actually said... "Unfortunately, it's hard to find Christian people who also have good character."
Is that cynicism or reality? I'm not sure. I just know that character is essential and that I hope to develop my own and hang out with others with the same desire.
