Practice makes...perfect?

I have been reflecting on how "Church" interacts with its surroundings. How does church embrace culture; how does it stand against? How does the action of the church reflect the kingdom of God; how does it reflect today's society? How do the individuals in the church embrace their corporate identity as formed by the church; How do we still stand as individuals? And lastly, what do our "practices" point to and how are we continually being formed into the body of believers that represent not the American dream but the ethics of the Kingdom of God?

Our routines and rituals reveal a lot about who we are. In our youth groups, are we defined by our games, our times of singing, our lessons, or our reflections? In "Big church," are we defined by our announcements, our music, our preaching, or by our practices? We find stability through our routines, and they solidify a path of who we are and how we are to operate. Why then, do we not celebrate the Eucharist as often as we gather; why then do we not confess our given creeds and prayers that our church fathers have handed down to us to remember our faith; why then are we so afraid of what might happen if we actually "do" these practices? Some normal protestant responses would be, "to catholic," "not spirit-led enough," "empty," to name a few. If this is our response, what then defines us church?

If we are defined by the comfort of our spaces, may God move in our lives to make us aware of those who live without comfort. If we are defined by our "worship arts," may God illuminate our imaginations to life before technology and production. If we are defined by the charisma of our speaking, may God truly remind and reveal to us what true "charisma" is, authority in word not a polished and eloquent speech.

Renew in our hearts the call to follow and to be perfected by the practices that point us to You, not to ourselves. Have mercy.