Fabricated Need Structures: Involvement vs. Agape

The Highest Virtue in the current programmatic institution that is the US church is INVOLVEMENT.

It has been raised to the noblest work one can do for one-another within man's traditionalism of the faux-church (i.e. "legalism" which is not the same as obedience to the apostolic traditions commanded in Scripture).  The Scripture speaks of AGAPE being the mark of a Christian, but now, through man's tradition, we have displaced agape and substituted being INVOLVED in whatever keeping-busy-program that has come into vogue as the defining sign of a true believer.  I would say too, that in some circles INVOLVEMENT is implicitly considered to be what agape-love actually is. To state it another way, to be participating in man's fabricated structures IS love in the faux-church. 

Nevermind the reality that few, if any, of these Christians actually know or spend genuine time with one-another or their elders.  It's all about the church building and the "holy" need structures built up around them, and as long as you're participating you're "good" and you stay in a right standing with the congregation.  

BUT if you don't show up for an event, or take your name off a list for -- let's say -- cleaning up the pastor's yard on Saturday, or setting up the sound equipment, or preparing flowers for the pulpit... well! you're not "involved", and you're putting yourself at risk of being "concerned" for ("We seem to be doing all the work around here. She's not doing anything!") and/or perhaps scapegoated ("He's the problem, he's not involved and talks continually about doing things that the Bible speaks about that just don't seem sensible!  If we push him out now things will return to normal.  He needs to go.") or, most likely, you'll just simply be ignored.  

All of this is merely impersonal, disingenuous, and programmatic country-club life (phariseeism) and is flat-out anathema to true koinonia (fellowship) within the ekklesia (gathered ones).  It is man's mere lists and rules which vigorously cultivates palpable existential isolation within the congregation.  And really, at it's base, it is works righteousness that is perpetually reinforcing the idea that you must "do" things to please the Creator to earn your pardon and receive salvation.

Just leave it. 

Leave, in order to truly STAY.

(Reposted from 7/12/16)