Christians: Stop the "Check-In" Game

Let me be clear, I love participating in the social media networking game of Foursquare - I see it as a way to network, share my love for my church by pinging my "check-ins" to my Facebook and Twitter feeds, and I can also see a way a church could capitalize on a congregant's willingness to share their church experience online.  So I'm not at all bashing Facebook Places, Foursquare and Gowalla.

One of the errors of the Christian church is to claim that we have been "converted" without realizing that a bold commissioning accompanies your conversion.  Pew-sitters have long-since done nothing more than "check-in" at church (and I'm not talking about the phenomenon tied to social location-based services like Facebook Places, Foursquare and Gowalla.) 

• To separate "conversion" from "commissioning" is faulty theology.  
• To claim "conversion" and say others are "commissioned" is uninformed theology.

Too many believers consider mission as a converted Christian to simply maintain perfect attendance and stake their place on a padded pew during a weekend service.  Well, I'm here to tell you it's not.  Your pew is not your destination, it's you're launching pad (don't you love my cheesy Photoshop work!)

In our study of Galatians 1 today, you see Paul's opening statement:

Paul, an apostle, sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead . . .

The term "apostle" means "sent one" - so Paul is emboldened by a sending of God.  While the great men of faith are given titles like this, every believer is apostled by God:

Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (John 20.21)

When you are apostled to the world, you are there to showcase the Light of God, share His love and allow Him to work through you to demonstrate His glory.  You are more than just "converted."  Your commissioning is based on you being SENT with a purpose.

-Randy