What School Do You Go To?

Well, I did it again. I went walking yesterday morning and this time I was wearing my trusty Notre Dame baseball cap and a Duke University t-shirt. A weird combination I'd say. I have a number of college t-shirts. I own one from Harvard, Yale, Michigan, Air Force and of course Duke. You'll notice that there are no party schools there. Only bonafide strong academic institutions.

I haven't attended any of those fine institutions. I thought about why I wanted to own such t-shirts. Could it be that I have an inward inferiority complex and want to be associated with Ivy League or upper echelon universities? Am I trying to impress others by making them believe that I fit in with that group? After some soul-searching I concluded that I probably qualify to belong to Densa and not Mensa. It wasn't anything like that at all. I'm just cheap. I got the shirts at Steve and Barry's. A great place to get a quality t-shirt for $3.99. The hat set me back $6!

As is my nature, I look for a spiritual illustration in just about everything I read, eat and experience. You'd be surprised what you will learn if you are observant. One of my favorite theologians (Hall of famer, Yogi Berra) says that "you can see a lot things by just observing." :)

An interesting phenomenon has been noted by scholars who follow and report on such things, that the average church going American claims to have 3 church homes. I've heard of people having a home of residence and a summer home, but owning three homes, in most circumstances, seems odd to me. Christians are claiming one church for the preaching ministry, one for the music ministry and one for the youth or children's ministry. To some degree I can understand where they may feel a sense of wanting a "full-service" Christianity. But it is rare to find quality in all levels of a church ministry in one church.

Maybe we want bragging rights within our circle of friends. We want to claim the best that each of these churches have to offer. It gives a perception to others that we have it together. But in reality, are we just attending multiple churches to impress others, or is it because we are cheap? We can get a great worship, teaching and youth experience without having to pay full price. What about taking into consideration that God may want you to actually do something about strengthening the youth, or music ministry in only one church?

We may be able to get away with that with t-shirts and ball caps, but what is it costing us to practice our faith in this manner? We have a consumer culture and we are practicing it in our church life. Our churches are mirroring our culture. The bottom line is that I'm not committed to Duke, or Harvard, or Yale. But the college I attended prepared me for life and service unto the glory of God. I may not have one of their t-shirts, but even if I did, all I'd do is get it sweaty anyway.