I am not sure which is sillier

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another the word 'Christian' in the name of your tax-exempt organization." (John 13:35 , American Christianity Re-Mix)


Oh boy....

*** WARNING

The National Weather Service has issued a severe sarcasm warning for Northeast Indiana. Sarcasm will be heavy at times with golfball sized snarkiness. Easily offended people are warned to stay indoors.

*** WARNING

Things were getting boring in the blogosphere. Rob Bell's Love Wins has been dissected, debunked and launched a thousand new books. The Emergent Movement, whatever that was, has died off. Pretty much every mainline denomination has already permitted openly homosexual clergy.Things are getting pretty tough for the perpetually offended among us.

Then, like a welcome rainstorm in the midst of a drought, here comes Campus Crusade for Christ changing their name! Like manna from heaven!

ORLANDO, Fla., July 19, 2011 – Campus Crusade for Christ in the U.S. is changing its name to Cru. The new name will be adopted in early 2012. The U.S. ministry hopes the new name will overcome existing barriers and perceptions inherent in the original name.

I am not sure which is sillier, the reasons Campus Crusade gave for changing its name (We believe wholeheartedly that God has given us this new name), the new moniker they have chosen (CRU? What are they, an 80's heavy metal band?) or the absolute over the top, frothing at the mouth reaction to this announcement by so-called conservatives.

I swear. Sometimes conservatives put liberals to shame with our eagerness to get offended. I have to admit there was a time when I would have jumped all over Campus Crusades for Christ, er, CRU because that is easier than doing actual Kingdom work, laboring in the fields for the Lord of the Harvest. Now? Not really interested.

Listen. I don't care if you call yourself the "New and Improved Lollipop Gang" if you are out doing the work of our Master. Likewise I don't care how many pious names you string together for your organization if your idea of mission is reading a book about why the missional movement is dangerous. The early church was too busy being persecuted and proclaiming Christ and loving one another to worry about the names of their competing organizations (or to even have competing tax exempt organizations). We are victims of our own "blessings" of prosperity, cultural acceptance and too much time on our hands. Sometimes I think a little real persecution is just what the doctor ordered for the church in America.