February 20, 2013

There is no moment more intense than waiting for news about an injured loved one.

Time stops.

The whole world hangs on a very fragile hinge called mortality.

I had such a moment when my father died. I looked to the officer who was performing chest compressions on my Dad, and when our eyes met, his gaze fell, and he just shook his head. My Dad was gone, and it was only a matter of time before the proper medical officials arrived to call it. In the few minutes before the ambulance came, I had time to assess the situation. I touched my Dad’s arm, looked into his face, and it was obvious that the shell of a man who lay before me was not my Dad. The signs were all there, and I accepted it. He was gone.

There are times in our life when it’s not a loved one we have to let go of, but loved things, ideas, or traditions. The title of this blog may be shocking to some. I know that, and I’m prepared to defend it to anyone who is willing to listen. It’s not about wanting to destroy or defame the Southern Baptist Association. There are hundreds of Baptist churches doing it right. There are thousands of good Baptist men, women, and children out there being stellar examples of Christ followers. I’m not writing about them. I’m writing about me. What being a Baptist has meant for me over the past twenty years, and why I feel the need today to break out of the comfortable mold I allowed myself and my family to be hardened into. This is about taking an assessment of my personal church experience and knowing when to call a limp and lifeless corpse…dead. Did I have to walk away from an established Baptist organization to make the necessary changes to revive these dry and dusty bones? No, but God called me.  I’m following Him into unknown waters, watching the traditions and comforts that used to define me as a Christian slowly drift out of reach, and it’s scary as h-e-double-…well not that scary, but frightening nonetheless.

I’m reminded of the time when Jesus called His disciples. There was one man who wanted to first return and bury his dead father before following after Christ. What did Jesus say to the man? He said, “Follow me now. Let the dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:22

I believe it’s time to simply follow, and leave the traditions behind to be carried out by those who cling to them.

After a pensive investigation and thorough analysis of my spiritual life, having checked the vitals, assessed the pallor, and performed the necessary tests, I have made a decision.

It’s time to call it.

Aimee Jones, spiritually DOA, February 20, 2013 – 10:14a.m.

Moment of silence please.

But wait…what’s that? I think I hear a pulse. Yes…it’s weak, but getting stronger. I think she’s gonna pull through!

Follow my journey, challenge my thoughts, and be a witness to this personal Breaking Baptist process. I promise we will laugh, cry, and learn to ask ourselves some very important questions about the things we hold sacred in our spiritual lives.

The church in America is on life support, ladies and gentlemen.

It’s time we call it…and let God do what He does best…bring the dead back to life!

The following is my musical inspiration today for following God into deep waters in search of…Something Beautiful.