"I'm a Christ Follower" (MAC vs. PC Parody), Some More...

The thing about the church where these videos came from Community Christian Church of Naperville, is that I am sure there is more than just the videos that we are seeing. I'm sure there was a really great sermon that addressed some of my concerns with the videos.

I say this because I know a little about the church. I've met Dave Ferguson (the head honcho there) and I know people who attend. He's a good guy... This is worth stating, because I don't think there was any negativity intended with these videos. I think any negative connotations are the result of carelessness.

As for the church, I've gone there to visit myself, and I really enjoyed the experience. This is a church that is doing more than ANY OTHER to serve the surrounding community. CCC's outreach is amazing.

The first and only time I visited the church was a great experience. My wife and I were greeted by a number of people. The music was fantastic, as was the style of worship, with a very good sermon and an appreciate for the arts that made it's way into the service. Honestly, I think more churches should do things like CCC.

But with these "Christian no more" videos I see a couple of major problems. The "I'm a not a Christian, I'm a Christ follower" is certainly full of negative connotations. I like Donald Miller as much as anyone, and two of his books, To Own a Dragon and Blue Like Jazz, are among my all-time favorites. I first heard of this concept when reading Blue Like Jazz.

Miller proposed the title because of all the negative connotations associate with the word 'Christian.' I think he was onto something, but at the same time, in dinstancing ourselves from those who do use the term, I think we create a split the likes of which a "Christ follower" would never wish to do. Yeah, there are a good number of Christians, both now and throughout history, who have done things that I am downright ashamed happened in the name of our faith. But is this a problem with Christianity or a problem with people?

So an issue in saying, "You go on being a Christian, but I'll be a Christ follower," is that blatant arrogance and condescension that is a part of it.

Here's another thing: Both of the guys in the video are followers of Christ, right? I mean, one man chooses to practice his faith in a more visible way, and the other chooses not to. Short of bad doctrine, what's it matter?

Lastly, I felt like this video was pandering, at least a little, as if to say, "Look at us, we're emergent!"

The, "I listen to U2" comment... So cheesy. Hey, U2 is great, but come on! Could the attempt to be 'cool' be any more blatant? Ug.

So I like what the videos are trying to say about legalism and wearing one's faith and that. I don't like the overall way it is done, which comes across as ridiculing those who worship in other ways.

As for the "I'm a Christ follower," how about something like, "We're both Christians." It's good to look at the video and realize that Christians are a diverse group. It's bad to look at the video and say, "Christians are so nerdy!"

I can think of a very good reason to use the term "Christ Follower," and it is in fact a reason that Miller eluded to in Blue Like Jazz (a must read for anyone). Sometimes the word "Christian" is overused. When I hear reports that 75%, or some such high number, of the country is Christian, I wonder. Are they really? Or, rather (more likely), does this mean that they are part of a family that was traditionally Christian?

Christianity, in some ways, is becoming a bit like the Jewish culture. "Jewish" can refer to a religion or a culture. There are a large number of people who call themselves "Jews" that spend no portion of their life involved in the religious aspects of Judaism.

If "Christ Follower" is a way to clarify that I am actively engaged in worshipping as a Christian, then indeed there are good reasons to use the term. If "Christ Follower" is simply a way of saying I'm trendy, then forget it.

The videos, with no further commentary, don't really help us to know what the people at CCC meant. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, since I know a little about the church, and from what I do know I am optimistic about the place.

Let's examine the word "Christian." We should work on things, observe our failures, and do what we can to make Christianity everything that it is supposed to be. This is a worthy endeavor. Let's not ridicule our brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter how nerdy or outlandish they appear.

[YouTube: I'm a Christ Follower 1]
[YouTube: I'm a Christ Follower 2]
[YouTube: I'm a Christ Follower 3]
[YouTube: I'm a Christ Follower 4]
[Community Christian Church of Naperville]