Seriously, I had to look this sucker up on the Internet.

con⋅tex⋅tu⋅al⋅ize [kuhn-teks-choo-uh-lahyz] –verb (used with object)

to put (a linguistic element, an action, etc.) in a context, esp. one that is characteristic or appropriate, as for purposes of study.

Okay. That is awesome (not really).  That tells me a little bit.

But this is the quote from the article that hits it home for me:

“Many Christian leaders and Christians would frown on using a Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall for a church building because their conception of church is so narrowly conceived. Since my first day in Austin, I began praying that God would give us the abandoned male strip joint called La Bare for our church.” - Jonathan Dodson

I used to have a real problem with having a wedding in a Catholic church.  (Seriously, do you guys even read the Epistle to the Romans… ever heard of Habakkuk 2:4… but I digress.)  I can’t get over their history and all of the things they have done in the name of my God.

But if the following is true:

Romans 3:23 (ESV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

then are we Evangelicals any better?  Better question, am I any better?  Certainly not.  I venture to say far, far worse.

It would matter where we held worship at?  Mormon ward?  Catholic cathedral? Abandoned slaughterhouse? Old warehouse which is used as a dance club on the weekends? (Cue club music and glow sticks.)

No.  So long as Jesus Christ is glorified, the gospel is preached, we worship the holy name of the Lord Almighty and the presence of God is there, then that is all that matters.

Ezekiel 48:17 (ESV) … And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.

ht: Get Better at Contextualization by Jonathan Dodson © Mars Hill Church Website: TheResurgence

Lord,

We are simply not worthy enough to even kneel down and untie Your sandals.  You, O Lord, give to us so we could simply give back to You.

Be glorified in our lives.

Amen.