Sometimes (often!) I don’t think I’m a very good Christian.

• I don’t think Thomas Kinkade is a very good artist.
• I don’t like most of the music on our contemporary Christian radio station.
• I don’t read Christian romance stories.

I guess I’m just a rebel at heart. And that is only the beginning.

• I don’t believe Jesus belongs to a political party.
• I’m against teacher-led prayer in public schools.*
• I believe the universe is very, very old.

When I first believed in Jesus, and gave Him my life, I didn’t know there was so much else that came along with faith.

I didn’t know that I had signed up for the Republican Party, or that I had to believe that Adam and Eve co-existed with dinosaurs. I learned about Christian fads, Christian celebrities, Christian jargon. (What would Jesus do?) I was introduced to Christian television, Christian radio, and Christian bookstores.

• I disagree with parts of Wilkinson’s The Prayer of Jabez.
• … and with some of Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life.
• I only read one of the Left Behind series. I didn’t think it was very good.

I’ve been a Christian for a while now. Over the years, I’ve adopted some cultural aspects and rejected others. But the pressure to conform is still there.

Everyone assumes that because I love Jesus, I agree with a particular political agenda. (I do happen to be politically conservative, but I am eclectic in my opinions about many issues.)

• I’m against abortion.
• I’m against the Marriage Amendment.
• In most (not all) cases, I’m against divorce. And remarriage.

I used to go to our church’s women’s events. Then I got tired of the endless make-up discussions, fashion shows, and teas. I don’t have a manicure. I don’t like to shop.

• I believe women should teach…
• and preach…
• and plant churches.

I don’t fit in.

I don’t know a lot of “evangelicals” like me. I’ve always felt awkward at church, at a small group. I have learned to keep my mouth shut when I disagree with someone. I keep my mouth shut a lot.

Lately, I’ve noticed a slow but steady change. People are beginning to realize that not all believers subscribe to the same culture.

I read blogs with sentences like:

The tragedy of the Evangelical Subculture  is that people who have a sincere desire to follow Jesus get side tracked into a zeal for being a part of this worldly system. It is like joining a club. –Proclamation, Invitation, & Warning

and

Something’s happening in American Evangelicalism. We are waking up from a stupor. We are attempting to fear our founder more than we fear our movement’s group think. –Ken Wilson Online

I’m excited. Maybe we can get back to focusing on Jesus.

• I believe Jesus is the Son of God.
• I believe Jesus died for my sins.
• I believe the Holy Spirit lives inside me.
• I believe God wants me to be with Him now and  forever.

Now that’s something worth agreeing on!
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* Our daughter’s second-grade teacher was a Buddhist. I wonder what her prayers would have been like?