At least 20 years ago, I heard someone ask rhetorically ask, “What is the most religious nation on earth?”
The answer given at the time was India. I’m not enough of an expert in world religion to dispute this, so I took it as given.
Then they asked, “What is the least religious nation on earth?”
The answer given was Sweden.
Then the person continued, posing the question, where does (or did) Canada fit into this imagery?
The answer given was that in terms of this analogy, “We are nation of Indians, governed by Swedes.”
In other words, at the time — and I would dispute this today — the impression was that in the heart of Canadian people was a hunger to maintain a committed and meaningful spiritual life; a sentiment that was not echoed by those same peoples’ representatives in government.
The phrase “a nation of Indians governed by Swedes;” has haunted me ever since. (For those who tuned in late, we’re talking about people from India, not North American aboriginals; and the statement is a metaphor only.)
Yesterday, I asked myself if that’s not true of churches.
I would say yes. Often there can be a disconnect between the hearts of the people in the chairs each week — the members, adherents, parishioners, congregation; call them what you will — and the people being paid a salary to provide for the spiritual direction of the church, as well as the volunteer leadership tasked with overseeing everything, whether we call them deacons or elders or wardens, or directors.
One particular church came to mind.
The church prospers I believe because the people have a love for each other and a love for God that is better reflected in their personal interactions throughout the week, and in some respects, their small group involvement. In other words, not “because of” but “in spite of” the church leadership.
The leaders meanwhile are preoccupied with projects and goals and visions and programs that often may be described as shallow and superficial. Wood, hay and stubble. With the occasional mix of a tempest in a teapot.
I know this because I’ve been, at times, shallow and superficial. It takes one to know one.
The disconnect is huge however, and once one becomes aware of it, it’s hard to continue to be as supportive of that church as perhaps one once was.
Flag images: Wikipedia, though in fairness to Wikipedia, I need to say I cheated with the dimensions of the Canadian one, which in reality is much wider horizontally (stated redundantly for emphasis).