The Skuh Manifesto

Not to be confused with the S.C.U.M. Manifesto

I know I haven't been "around" much as of late. I've been trying to figure out where I'm going in the next few years of my education. I still have very little idea, but the more I think about my current school, the more I ache for the people there. Not only is there absolutely no community on any level there, there is little to no Christian community. I am not posting this to bash the current Christian organizations present on campus, but I think we need far more than what's there.

So, if you will, take this post as my manifesto... the Skuh Manifesto, as it were.

It will simply not do to have only one Christian group on campus, with only two accessible meetings a week, geared only to Christians. I know that, if possible, I would hear multiple shouts of protest concerning this claim. But, think about out like this: The current outreaches on campus consist of church-like meetings, where a non-Christian can come, sing to a God they don't know, participate in a Christian Fellowship they do not fully understand (therefore, they cannot fully partake in), and hear sermons from Scripture that they do not ascribe to in a language that they are not fluent in (Christianese). The only draw for them is the free pizza. Why would you want to torment any non-Christian in such a way? The Church was not meant for this. It is a body of BELEIVERS, not a place to invite your friends to, as if it were the circus.

I am not saying that non-Christians should be perpetually ignorant of scripture, but there are far more effective ways of sharing the Gospel than creating mini-churches, with congregants who's only motivation in communicating with others is to invite them to meetings every time they talk to them.

My proposal-- my vision for the SCC campus in the coming semesters is as follows: Groups of 6-8 CHRISTIAN students, studying the scripture together, and standing beside one another as they venture into the community and campus building relationships with non-believers. Sharing the love of Christ in word and deed. Digging into their lives. Being there for them when they need support. Meeting physical needs. Buying them lunch. Helping them move. Lending them $10 for gas money. Inviting them over for dinner. Baking them cookies. Doing real things to accomplish real ministry, and meeting together in groups-- groups that exist to encourage and empower them to do these things every single day, with all of their beings.

This is my vision. This is the infection that needs to be spread on our campus, especially by Christians.

I have stated my vision. Here is my plea-- join me in this revolution, whether it be in prayer or in action.

This made me giggle...

What I Want In A Church

Note the last line.

Tidbits from my week

• I can make tortilla chips.
• I have a 3.8 GPA, with hopes of a 4.0 if I just step it up in Biology (7% away).
• Best blog I've read in a month.
• My first serious attempt at watercolor.
• I only have one semester left at SCC.
• Midterms are over, and so I shall rejoice!

Should I Tell Them?

Today at lunch, I sat with my friend, Lisa and discussed her most recent fight with her father. She told me how she nearly decked him yesterday, and I munched on my possibly-ecoli-ridden lettuce. Over a game of Canasta, the rest of our lunch table casually discussed their addiction to self-harm. Three out of six girls at that table were professing self-injurers or recovered self-injurers-- myself included. I sat back, munching on my lettuce, listening to Lisa drone, and pretending to read Washington Irving.

Now, I sit back and wonder why I didn't say a word.

It seems I am ashamed of my history, as well as my Rescuer; I am faithless in the idea that God's light can be seen even through such a filthy vessel as myself; I am so afraid of my sins being exploited that I hide God's power in my life; and gently He reminds me that not even my fear can hide His victory in me.

Walking with you is not without hazards/ Trippings this traveler's curse/ Price paid for falling is more than my stumble/ In a world that is watching and waiting for words/ But I listened when You said to go/ And I set out in spite of my fears/ About truth mixed with my imperfection/ And the question of what to say when I got here/ And now that I'm here/ Should I tell them that You are the one who has made me/ And saved me and set up a home there inside/ Should I tell them that I am a perfect example/ Of all You can do with a life./ What should I say to them?/ What if I'm failing them?/ What should i tell them tonight?/ Now don't get me wrong/ I'm thankful to be here/ With this song to sing and a spotlight on me,/ But lately I'm wondering if you are mistaken,/ If you're seeing all of me there is to see./ Cause on every face I detect/ The same questions I've posed to you/ Like do you speak through the imperfect/ Are we too dirty for your light to get through?/ I want your light to get through./ What should I tell them when/ They're thirsty Lord/ My cup is empty Lord/ Come and lead me here in this place/ Cause I'm honest, yeah, but I'm unprepared/ And I'm just plain afraid

-Shaun Groves

And it still applies today...

"I hope I shall be forgiven a hard word if I call this a perfect cavil. I readily own there hath been an old custom, time out of mind, for people to assemble in the churches every Sunday, and that shops are still frequently shut, in order, as it is conceived, to preserve the memory of that ancient practice; but how this can prove a hindrance to business or pleasure is hard to imagine. What if the men of pleasure are forced, one day in the week, to game at home instead of the chocolate-house? Are not the taverns and coffee-houses open? Can there be a more convenient season for taking a dose of physic? Is not that the chief day for traders to sum up the accounts of the week, and for lawyers to prepare their briefs? But I would fain know how it can be pretended that the churches are misapplied? Where are more appointments and rendezvouses of gallantry? Where more care to appear in the foremost box, with greater advantage of dress? Where more meetings for business? Where more bargains driven of all sorts? And where so many conveniences or incitements to sleep?"

-Jonathan Swift, An Argument Against Abolishing Christianity, 1708