Simplistic Solutions
One of the blessings of spending time with my adult children is having some tremendous discussions about things that are currently effecting our world, nation, the Christian Church—you name it. Such discussions are invigorating, thought provoking, mentally stimulating and even challenging. Arriving in Tennessee last evening for a wonderful break from chemotherapy and chance to visit with the kids and enjoy the change of scenery, my son-in-law and I wasted no time drifting into such a discussion even before my daughter got home from work. (She and I have a coffee time already scheduled for our “conversation.”)
Mind you, these conversations are not contentious even though we can have diverse positions and opinions. These conversations aren’t planned. We just seem to wade into a subject naturally. And most likely something profound results.
I’m sure you would agree that our society is in difficult times. We are polarized and have difficulty even talking with someone on the “other side.” This ranges from immigration, social policies, political platforms and even reaches to how churches strategize responding to declining attendance and fulfilling their mission.
Which brings me to the gist of this post, the conclusions of the aforementioned conversation. How do we handle these weighty issues? What we observe from those on both sides of the issues is an attempt to offer a simple solution to a complex matter, which basically doesn’t solve the problem but kicks it down the road only to be confronted later with another simplistic solution.
Take immigration for example. Just build a wall and the problem will be solved. I don’t think an open border is appropriate but neither is the lengthy and costly process of going the legal route. The immigration problem goes back decades without any serious attempt to solve it, so it becomes a political football kicked back and forth every election cycle.
Our social policies are addressed by tax-payer money handed out to try to appease the oppressed without really solving the root causes of the problem. We are currently drowning in a political climate that is destroying confidence in the political process which undermines the intent of the founders of our country. And once again we see people on both sides offering simplistic solutions to complex issues that don’t really address or solve the problems.
Churches are guilty of this same phenomenon. The Church is not perfect and never will be this side of heaven. Churches face many challenges like meeting budgets, declining attendance, and cultural relevance. The simplistic solution is to pay consultants, spend money on programs, and even criticize the members for their failure, even to the extent of bashing the church in general for being irrelevant in the world, despite the mission it’s accomplishing. It’s easy to criticize; much harder to wrestle with the hard work of solving the issues of strengthening what God has called into existence without throwing the proverbial baby out with the bath water, denigrating the diversity of gifts that the Spirit has bestowed on his church. There are no simplistic solutions.
Those who offer simplistic solutions, in my opinion, are misguided. I believe they do a great disservice. And we can be just as guilty if we are not careful. Instead of offering quick and simple attempts, let us wrestle with reality and make a real difference, especially in the church.
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