A cheap copy

All my years in Industry, I was fortunate to work for innovative companies. When other companies made knockoffs, they made knockoffs of our products. The cheaper copies mostly worked and solved an immediate problem. But buyers of copies missed out on relationship with people who knew why the products worked and how they worked—with people who could innovate the next solution too.

For centuries, the church has been pushing a cheap copy of the Kingdom on the surrounding culture. Those who 'buy in' may lead better lives—less drama, fewer train wrecks. But they miss out on relationship with the One who knows why and how things work. They miss out on relationship with the Source of life and love and forgiveness and hope.

When interacting with our culture, we choose: hard sell the cheap copy—rules, rituals, and good advice—or invite people into the real thing.