There's Hope for Crossless, Christless Ministry

Crossless, Christless ministry sounds like a pretty bad label, but it represents some of what passes for ministry in churches. It's not a new or isolated situation. Anytime we make church about church, or the gathering about the gathering, or about the people or a person in the gathering the point of the gathering, then that gathering has great potential to be Crossless and Christless. It's not hard to spot. If people think they've done something for God by showing up at something for God, it's probably crossless and Christless. "Look what I did. Look at us. We've got a great crowd today. We're going places and doing things. This is where it's at!" Keep in mind that this is not necessarily negative. It's just something where we don't need the Cross or Christ. We'll name Him here or there, but we don't need Him; we've got us. On the other hand, if we gather broken, unimpressed with ourselves, unaware of a crowd or of popularity, then we find ourselves in need. Deep spiritual need is the only hope for Crossless, Christless Christianity. It is the work of the Spirit. When we need more than ourselves, more than a fine program or ministry, more than an inspiring service or great event, more than a song, more than a prayer, more than each other, then we are on track to the Cross of Christ and the Christ of the Cross. As people we seem to try everything else before we reconcile to God through Christ and His Cross. We are desperate to get ourselves to a place where we are not so desperate. Our big efforts and big desires (just like it says in Romans 9:6) never do the trick. We need God Himself to show mercy and show up! We need Christ and His Cross before we need anything else.