Reflections on OCEA

So, we finished up our conference today, and it was all together a mixed bag. I'll start with the positive, I guess. We stuck solely to the break out sessions, and there were a few really good ones. We went to one about prison ministries, which was encouraging to hear about how God is redeeming and reconciling even those who are most hardened in life. We also went to an Islam session presented by a Pakistani who came to Christ as a teenager. He had some balanced, love-filled, and intelligent things to say about Christianity and Islam. He gave a wonderful presentation on understanding Muslim and sharing Christ with them.

That session proved to be a stark contrast to the other Islam session we went to. The presenter wasn't an Islam expert (she was a medical doctor who present earlier in the day about the crucifixion), and she was trying to give a biblical explanation as to why the Middle East is the way it is. Unfortunately, she didn't get very far because there was actually a Muslim in the audience who challenged (in many cases, rightly so) most of what she said. As soon as it came out that there was a Muslim in the class, it was like sharks smelling blood in the water. Many well-intentioned believers in the room decided they need to put in their two cents about the misguided nature of Islam - most of their comments not being very intelligent. Kathi and I were slightly embarrassed for the church because of it all.

Then there was the huge gym filled with Christian vendors trying to sell their wares. While much of that stuff I'm sure is helpful, I just couldn't shake the impression that the Church has become all about being a supplier of religious products and services for a Christian consumer culture. Blah. Don't listen to me...I'm just a Communist. On the whole though, it was worth the $35 at least.