I was blown away last night by a great post from the Vice Moderator of the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Rev. Byron Wade. I’ve never met him, but I’m confident in saying two things about him: 1) he’s good people, and 2) he’s on the liberal side of things in his beliefs. He was, after all, chosen for this position by the Moderator of that GA, the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, of whom both those things are also true. (GA always elects liberals.) I’ve had various interactions with Bruce online—on this blog, and his, and Facebook—and I like and respect him a great deal; he’s the sort of person who can disagree with you with grace, respect, affection, and an honest desire to understand where you’re coming from. That’s all too rare (and probably always has been). As such, though I don’t know the man he chose as vice moderator, in my book, Byron Wade comes well recommended for character.
All of this is by way of saying that the following passage comes from someone with a real heart for the church, but not from an evangelical (as in fact he says himself):
The surprising thing that I have heard in my travels is stories about pastors/laity who do not preach and/or mention Jesus Christ. While I have not heard it a lot, it has been said to me enough that it caused me some alarm. . . .
I am in no way a Fundamentalist or a person who is considered an “evangelical street preacher.” What I am saying is that I believe that we who call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ may want to preach him to others, for if we don’t people will go elsewhere. And I would hate to think that we are losing out on witnessing to others because we don’t talk about Jesus.
Byron titled his post (quite properly, I think) “Is it just me or are we supposed to be talking about Jesus?” Read the whole thing—some of the stories he tells truly are worrisome. As I read, two thoughts struck me, both rather sad. First, it’s a wonderful thing to hear this point being made by somebody on the liberal side of the aisle; I don’t say that all liberal Christians shy away from talking about Jesus, but one doesn’t often hear liberals calling out the American church for its Christlessness. Second, several of the stories he tells may perfectly well have happened in churches that consider themselves “evangelical”; when folks like Jared Wilson and Michael Spencer criticize the Jesuslessness of the church in this country, it’s not Ivy League liberals they have in mind.
As such, it’s a good thing to be able to make common cause with more liberal folks like the Vice Moderator to ask the American church together, “Is it just me, or are we supposed to be talking about Jesus?” Who knows—maybe coming from someone like Byron, it will actually scandalize the church into paying attention.
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the post! I truly enjoyed reading about myself 😉 I hope that we will have the opportunity to meet someday. And you may come away believing that I am more moderate that you think!
Peace and blessings on your ministry.
Peace,
Byron Wade
You're very welcome. :bows deeply: Thanks for a wonderful post, which I think was a real blessing to the body of Christ. I didn't mean to imply, btw, that you're far left or anything like that, and I hope I didn't sound like I think that. I agree, I'd love the chance to meet in person someday (Bruce as well). God's blessings on you and your ministry as well, especially as you wind down your vice-moderatorial term; as wonderful an opportunity to serve as that is, I know it creates some significant stresses as well, and I pray that God strengthens and upholds you in their midst.
Rob – you are welcome for the post! Don't worry about what you said – I take no offense. I am just appreciative that another colleague and brother in Christ can have a meaningful conversation. That may not sound like much but it really does make a difference! Peace be unto you and keep doing what God has called you to do!
Peace,
Byron