1 Corinthians 14:20

"Do not be like children. . ."

Reflection by Donna Schaper

Jesus really did say that children have a better chance than non-children at entering the Kingdom of Heaven.  Now the writer to the people at Corinth is telling us just the opposite.  What happened?  Is the mature church-builder becoming religious instead of spiritual?  Or was Jesus too child-like to survive adolescence? 

The church-builder is giving a pointed message about confusing the ecstatic experience of the spirit—in this case speaking in tongues—with the everyday experience of religion.  Surely you know the difference.  You became a Christian at summer camp, with the songs singing, the moon glowing, the fire burning.  You were 16 and possibly also wondering if that person across the glow was looking at you.  You became moderator of your congregation 30 years later only to dread attending services because someone was going to mention a typo in the newsletter and consider you responsible for it. 

There is a large difference between spirituality and religion and the answer is not just in aging. Spirituality all by itself is too marvelous to remain untutored.  If all you can think about is your own experience, you become tongue-tied; you speak a language no one else can comprehend.  If all you can think about is church attendance or the offering, you become spirit-tied. 

Those who don't glow with the spirit dare not "moderate" congregations.  The source of action is awe.  Action without awe is plagued to become that thing we all dislike about "religion."  Likewise awe without action is that thing many of us dislike about spirituality.  While spirituality can be self-centered, like a child who insists on a certain position for the peas on her plate, religion can be other-centered, forgetting how to deeply care about the wonder of doing things the "right" way.  Mature people don’t leave their joy behind so much as tend, befriend and increase it in action.  Child-like church moderators?  Open-hearted speakers in tongues?  Yes.  Why not?

Prayer

O God, when we confuse spirituality with religion and religion with spirituality, set our tongues on fire and re-enchant us.  Amen.

About the Author Donna Schaper is the Senior Minister of Judson Memorial Church in New York City. Her latest work is 20 Ways to Keep Sabbath, from The Pilgrim Press. Check out her work at www.judson.org.

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