A few months back, I casually confided in my spouse about my wavering faith in Christianity. His response struck hard: “You’re not Christian! What’s Christian about you? You haven’t been Christian for years!”
Confused, I asked, “What do you mean?” He retorted, “You don’t attend church, pray, or engage in any of those activities.”
I felt a surge of indignation. “That’s not the essence of being Christian! What about love and justice?”
His reply pierced through, “That’s not what being Christian’s about!”
If that’s not a wake-up call, I don’t know what is.
I’ve grown weary of the superficial love that often permeates discussions within churches. Recently, during a conversation on Clubhouse about what defines a successful church, I found myself increasingly frustrated. Person after person shared their views on success in terms of making disciples, fostering wonder, or being authentic. I nearly lost my temper as I waited for my turn to speak, overwhelmed by the hollow definitions being thrown around.
I’m tired of Christians preaching about success while promoting a narrative that includes health, wealth, and a cheap form of forgiveness. The notion that trusting Jesus can replace the pursuit of genuine justice is deeply troubling.
In particular, I’m exasperated by the stance of many white and Asian Christians.
White Christians often advocate for a Christian nationalist narrative, suggesting that the U.S. is favored by God, founded on “Christian” principles. Yet, I fail to see how any of this aligns with the teachings of Jesus. The violence and oppression that underpin our societal expansion are often brushed aside as divine destiny. Capitalism is celebrated as good news, while the brutality of law enforcement is framed as order and respect.
What does Jesus have to do with empires or the agendas of politicians who prioritize the unborn over the living? Where is the gospel when churches remain silent in the wake of systemic violence against marginalized communities? This is a blasphemous distortion of faith.
As for Asian American churches, a fellow friend aptly noted, “Many Asian churches exemplify how you don’t need white people around to uphold white supremacy and colonialism.” Beyond the language and cultural nuances, the theology often mirrors white American thought, sometimes with an even greater emphasis on parental obedience.
Until last year, I was unaware that Asian American theology even existed.
So, what constitutes a truly successful church?
The issue lies in how Christian nationalism has diluted the essence of faith, prioritizing personal salvation over communal justice. This approach allows Christians to ignore their collective responsibility in perpetuating white supremacy and patriarchal norms.
Rather than measuring success through attendance numbers, financial contributions, or conversions, churches should rethink what success means. Imagine if they critically evaluated their practices and genuinely reflected a commitment to serving the poor and advocating for justice against systemic issues like anti-Blackness and ableism.
Consider how churches engage with those marginalized by their own structures. Are LGBTQIA+ members celebrated and affirmed? How do they handle issues of abuse? Are they more concerned with their reputation or with standing alongside the vulnerable?
A truly successful church—especially in America—would confront its roots in white supremacist theology and be willing to dismantle harmful practices. They should be ready to divest from their assets and support BIPOC-led ministries instead.
This may sound radical, but it’s consistent with the teachings of Jesus.
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In summary, for churches to achieve true success, they must prioritize justice, community care, and dismantling harmful ideologies. By doing so, they can align more closely with the essential teachings of love and justice inherent in the Christian faith.