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A few months ago, during a casual conversation with my husband, I shared my uncertainty about my faith and questioned whether I still identified as a Christian. His response was sharp: “You’re not really Christian! What’s Christian about you? You haven’t practiced in years!”
I was taken aback. “What does that even mean?” I asked, confused. “Isn’t love and justice at the heart of being Christian?”
“That’s not what being Christian’s about!” he retorted.
This exchange left me frustrated. I’ve grown weary of the superficial expressions of love within many church communities.
Recently, I participated in a discussion on Clubhouse about what constitutes a successful church. As I listened to various opinions—success defined by disciple-making, fostering wonder, or simply being authentic—I felt a surge of anger. It’s disheartening to hear Christians advocate for a version of success that often neglects justice and genuine care for the marginalized.
I find myself especially disillusioned by the rhetoric of white and Asian Christians. The notion of Christian nationalism, which intertwines faith with a sense of American exceptionalism, is deeply troubling. It’s a narrative that ignores the historical injustices embedded in our nation’s foundation. The glorification of capitalism and militarism, masked as divine favor, stands in stark contrast to Jesus’s teachings.
What does Jesus have in common with political agendas that prioritize unborn cells over the lives of marginalized individuals? Where is the gospel when church leaders remain silent in the face of violence against Black communities or the tragic murders of Asian women?
This is not merely misguided; it’s a distortion of faith.
In many Asian American churches, a troubling dynamic emerges. As a friend pointed out, these congregations can perpetuate systems of oppression without any influence from white individuals. The theological framework often mirrors that of dominant white American Christianity, with an added layer of pressure to conform to parental expectations.
I only discovered the concept of Asian American theology last year at the age of forty-two—a testament to how deeply entrenched these issues are within our faith communities.
So, what does a truly successful church look like?
When churches confuse individual salvation with collective responsibility, they enable the continuation of white supremacy and patriarchy. Instead of measuring success through attendance, donations, or conversions, churches should reevaluate their practices. Imagine if they genuinely interrogated their policies and prioritized justice for the oppressed, including those harmed by the church itself.
How do they support LGBTQIA+ members? Is their approach affirming and inclusive? Do they prioritize protecting their reputation over addressing abuse? True success would require churches to confront their foundations of harmful theology and be willing to dismantle these structures if necessary, even if it means closing their doors and redistributing resources to BIPOC-led congregations.
This approach aligns more closely with the teachings of Jesus than the status quo ever could.