"Aches, Pains, Complaints?"

Leonard Sweet tells the story of the "APC pill" from WWII in his new book "So Beautiful." He says, "ask anyone who served in WWII do you remember the APC? and they will most likely say, it cured everything."

The APC pill was designed to cure the aches, pains and complaints (APC's) of soldiers. It was a combination of aspirin, phenacetin and caffeine. The problem, long term use would kill you! Phenacetin caused renal problems and cancer. But the short term benefits were so good that people continued to use APC and purchase it illegally.

Sweet says, the APC for the church has been the "ABC fix." We know that focusing our attention on "Attendance, Buildings, and Cash" (ABC) will destroy our long term health but the short term fix makes us feel better about ourselves. We deceive ourselves into thinking that if people are coming, the building is modern or expanding and the money is good then we must be doing something right.

Sweet and a host of other contemporary theologians state the church must be MRI: Missional (going forth), Relational (engaging people in their setting), and Incarnational (emulating Jesus). As I hear this my thoughts go to the movie "The Matrix" when the main character was brought to a point of decision. Should he change for the good of self and society or maintain the comfortable status quo? The choice came down choosing between one of two pills: a red or blue one. One would continue with business as usual. The other pill would order up a brave new world to experience.

Willoughby Hills Friends has a decision to make as she continues to seek relevance in today's society. Does she choose the MRI or ABC? One is a quick fix, a known commodity but historically leads to ineffectiveness and destruction. The other decision can be scary, messy, chaotic and hard to track. It does not guarantee increased numbers in the pews each week or extra dollars in the offering plate. It will make her feel uncomfortable and force her to act and think differently.

MRI is the will of the Father for the Church today and is where Jesus is working at this time. I encourage you to take your daily MRI pill and practice the presence of Christ in your sphere of influence. What say you to all of this?

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian