January 19

Day 311: Exceptionalism

American Exceptionalism. It's what makes America America. And makes us confusing to the rest of the world.

We're not necessarily the best world citizens, because unlike the others we are exceptional. We are certainly willing to be a member of whatever league of nations...as long as that league of nations follows our lead.

During the Olympics, other countries celebrate improvement, even a top ten finish. Americans celebrate winners. Anything less than a gold medal is a fail. Because we are exceptional. And we should therefore perform in an exceptional manner.

In our country, if you don't shoot for the top of your organization, you have a motivation problem. You have a lack of inner fortitude. No drive.

America's exceptionalism trickles down to her individual citizens. We all want to feel as if, and be regarded by others as being exceptional. But this results in a conundrum, an inner conflict.

On one hand we will hold firm to our beliefs, what we believe to be true. For everybody. All the time. And yet, we will also make ourselves the solitary exception. When necessary.

Church people are very much prone to exceptionalism. We all believe certain things to be true about church life, and personal devotional life, and service, and mission. And yet, we allow space to be the exception ourselves. Not over beliefs, but over practice.

We may think it's vital for a Christian to be in regular, frequent church fellowship, yet not show up much ourselves. We may believe it's important for a Christian to give a portion back to God, but not ever give anything ourselves. We may agree that Christians are to live on mission, but hope someone else does it.

Our exceptionalism is a license. It allows us to use our personal history or present circumstances to justify not doing something that we otherwise expect everyone else to do.

Our exceptionalism may be the darkest stain of our culture's influence on the Church. We are increasingly comfortable living in the conundrum. Post-modernism says that two conflicting ideas or emotions can in fact coexist.

Our exceptionalism is also evidenced in how we church people have become consumers. We show up for, and may pay for religious goods and services. We expect, even demand a solid return on investment, even if it's for an hour each week.

We even consume relationships within the church. We expect others to be ready to serve us, while we reserve the right ourselves to be unavailable.

Covid has not, and will not kill the North American Church. Covid is just a more recent and convenient excuse to justify our exceptionalism.

Not to be a doomsday alarmist, but I find myself increasingly concerned for people I know. Because as Puritan sermons and old country songs both tell us, Judgement Day is coming. Jesus made this pretty clear. It's really not open to debate.

A day when our desires and efforts to be exceptional won't help much at all. A day when we will have to face the truth: Exceptionalism and obedience are opposed. A day when the inconsistency between our belief and our practice will be exposed. That won't be so great.

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church Juneau