"The spiritual life cannot be made suburban," says Howard Macy, professor of religion and biblical studies at George Fox University. "It is always frontier, and we who live in it must accept and even rejoice that it remains untamed."

People who live in the suburbs may take issue with that claim. After all, there are a lot of good Christians and spiritual people in the suburbs. In fact, isn’t that where the biggest, most successful churches are? But as one suburban Christian admitted, "most ‘burbs are arguably organized around the provision of safety and opportunities for children, and neat and tranquil environs. . . Yet despite the best the ‘burbs have to offer my family security, options, and efficiency I find myself restless, always pursuing, always striving, finding less and less fulfillment." (David Goetz, "Suburban Spirituality," Christianity Today. July 2003.)

Maybe that’s because at least for men we are basically Wild at Heart, as John Eldridge claims in his book by that title. "Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. That is how he bears the image of God; that is what God made him to be."

Well, you might quibble with that too, but that’s not my point, anyway. I read Wild at Heart, and loved it. It resonated with me at many points. And one of those points is the reminder that there is something to the Christian faith or at least there should be that is thrilling, that is extreme, that is dangerous, that is on the edge. That’s because Jesus was "on the edge." "How would telling people to be nice to one another get a man crucified? What government would execute Mister Rogers or Captain Kangaroo?" wonders Philip Yancey in The Jesus I Never Knew.

To be a follower of Jesus is not necessarily a safe, easy way to go, one filled with "security, options and efficiency." It takes courage to be a Christian, if we really understand what that means. Just read the gospels.

This fall we’re going to read some of the gospel of Mark on Sunday mornings. And be forewarned; it’s going to take some courage! Following Jesus through the gospel of Mark is a wild, risky adventure of faith, and I invite you to join me in that adventure beginning this Sunday.

Ready, set, go!

Pastor Erwin

Remember Celebration Hour (that’s our time of worship in the sanctuary) begins at 10:00 a.m. beginning this Sunday, followed by Discovery Hour (that’s time discovering God’s word together in study). That makes up the best 2 hours of the week!

This Sunday we’ll serve up and introduction to our discovery hour classes, along with some ice cream Sundaes, in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30. Those classes will include The Jesus I Never Knew, taught by Jon Kopke, and based on Philip Yancey’s book. Also, "Encountering the Word," a class that will dive deeper into those dangerous gospel texts behind the sermons. And the youth and kids will have their own adventures and discoveries of faith to look forward to.