Whats in a name?

"... the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." 

The Acts of the Apostles 11:26 

I often identify myself as a Christian, gladly taking my place beside those first followers of Jesus Christ referenced in the passage above.

"Christian" is a title, a word formed after the Roman style, signifying an adherent of Jesus Christ.  It was originally a title of scorn as noted by the Tacitus, the Roman historian who, writing near the end of the first century, says, "The vulgar call them Christians. The author or origin of this denomination, Christus, had, in the reign of Tiberius, been executed by the procurator, Pontius Pilate" (Annals xv. 44).  However, from the second century on it was generally accepted by believers as a title of honor.

Simply put then, a "Christian" is one who is loyally following Jesus, with all that implies.

Sounds pretty straightforward doesn't it?  Unfortunately, from that simple beginning its become much more complicated.  In our culture its a bit muddled... and that confusion complicates my efforts to communicate the teachings of Jesus to others.

Think about it... in most peoples minds "Christian" has become a much more general term that is actually addressing heritage, or religion, or a particular moral code.  So when you tell someone you are a "Christian" they may think first of a political party or moral prohibition before they think much about Jesus.

In addition, many in our culture who have not the slightest inclination to follow Jesus readily identify themselves as "Christian", meaning perhaps that they are not Hindus, Buddhists, or Muslim, or that they went through some type of religious ritual as a youngster.

So whats in a name?  How can I overcome this cultural hurdle and have an honest dialogue about Jesus with my family or my neighbor?  I'll write a bit more about that in a future post when I lament the added difficulties that come along with being a Pastor.

Launching a New Project

For quite some time I have desired to launch a new blog with a new purpose, one that attempts to close the gap between stated belief and daily life.  As I transition into my new role at Temecula Hills Christian Fellowship, from Pastor and Elder to Adult Ministries and Outreach, it seemed like the perfect time to begin.


Doing this in such a public forum is a bit of a risk, I admit... it may be that the only purpose served is an outlet for my own private reflection.  It may even come across as a bit narcissistic to think that others would find any value in my observations of what is admittedly a pretty normal middle-class suburban life.

But thats the very issue isn't it?  Should my life, since I am engaged in an adventure commissioned by the very King of Creation, be in any way normal, by our American cultural standard?  I wonder.  And perhaps there there are other Christ-followers who recognize this same dichotomy in themselves, and maybe my contention that life should be much more about the tightrope, and much less about the waiting, will resonate with some.  

That's the meaning behind the title of this blog.  Its taken from the quote at the upper right by Karl Wallenda (pictured above), the founder of the "Flying Wallendas", a family of daredevil wire-walkers famous for performing without a safety net.  I came across this quote when I was a brand-new Christian at age 29, and ended up using it as a cover for a notebook I kept chronicling this new adventure of faith.  I still have the notebook in my office and look through it from time to time as a reminder of a time when faith was fresh, energy and optimism abounded, and  every truth was like the discovery of hidden treasure.

I have always found in the words of Karl Wallenda an echo of the authentic Christian life.... its a life to be lived in dynamic faith and dependence, of risk and (seemingly) foolish activity. Its a journey filled with adventure, heartbreak, joy, and deep satisfaction.

Yet, instead of the thrill of the tightrope, we who are Christ-followers constantly strain against the pull and false promises of the mind-numbing, soul-deadening, joy-stealing life thrust on us every day by our culture, our adversary, and our own weak desires.

We spend our life waiting, when we should be on the tightrope... really living. This blog is a journal of my own struggles to spend more time on the tightrope, more time living as Christ intended, and less time waiting. Can you feel that same call? If so, may these thoughts encourage you to step out in faith, into the grand adventure.