Because of

a certain church's success in southern California, there's a widespread

movement to adopt its methodology as "the" right way to do church.

I want to offer an alternative.

Dionne Warwick

was wrong about the psychic hotline. But she was right when she sang,

"What the world needs now is love, sweet love." I want to suggest

that every church member be required to take three courses: Love 101,

Love 201, and Love 301.

Love 101 would

focus on love for God. The reason we live such pitiful, compromised Christian

lives, the reason that most people can't tell the difference between Christian

and non-Christian is that we don't have a burning, passionate, mighty

love for God. The Revelation church of Laodicea made the Resurrected Christ

want to throw up because of its lukewarmness. They were neither hot nor

cold.

Doesn't that

describe the lives of millions of Christians: neither not nor cold. Just

lukewarm like spit.

We need instruction

in love techniques; how to talk love to the Father; how to demonstrate

love to the Father. We need to hear that it is expected we love God with

all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Most of us are still stuck in

childhood faith, still singing, "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Should not we begin singing from the heart, "Oh how I love Jesus"?

Love 201 would

focus on love for others. Jesus said, "They shall know that you are

my followers by your love for one another." We seldom love outside

of our blood family or outside our little social clique.

Jesus had in

mind that we would wrap our loving arms around a lost and dying world

and love the world to the Father. That's right: Jesus expected we would

love the hell out of people.

I am afraid

that the church is filled with people who love me and my four and no more.

We've lost the concept of love the unlovely. We've never appreciated the

radicalism of the love of Jesus in that it is to be extended to the prostitute,

drunk, and drug pusher. Our churches have become country clubs where hardcore

sinners know they are unwelcome. So, they stay away in droves. Funny thing:

Jesus drew them like flies.

Love 301 would

focus on love of oneself. It's not a selfish concept, but a spiritual

one. In Latin and South America the churches have something similar to

this. They expect all members to experience personal encounter with themselves

as they deal with personal issues that keep them from truly loving themselves.

You would be amazed with how many people just don't like much love themselves.

To love oneself is embodied in the Great Commandment as stated by Jesus.

It's healthy and wholesome to love yourself. I have dealt with my share

of people who didn't love God or themselves and wanted to make my life

miserable as a result.

How does one

go about loving himself/herself? The Bible says love is patient. Be patient

with yourself. The Bible says love overlooks and forgives. Forgive yourself.

Unload all the baggage of the past. Fall in love with yourself all over

again or perhaps for the first time. God loves you and also knows all

about you.

No doubt about

it: where there is knowledge, it will pass way. But, love will last forever.

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor

of River's Edge

Community Church in Fayetteville.

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