Unity in the Cross

Hey Josh,
Interesting article. I read it through twice and took notes and have some questions. I've been thinking a lot about churches lately (why I don't attend, where I used to go, why I don't look for a church anymore, why the ones I hear about around here don't sound like church at all). I started thinking about going to church again on Resurrection Day this year. It's become kind of a joke, for me, to "terrorize" people I know by admitting that I am thinking of going to church again and then asking them to tell me about their church (they tell me all about how much they like their church and and how much they think I should find a good church, too... until I actually consider attending their church -- then they get that look in their eyes that tells me I'm not invited).
Anyway, here are the questions I had and some notes I took when reading the article:

1) Do you think that if we really all became "Cross-centered" and truly focused on Jesus that we wouldn't have to ignore the division anymore, but it would actually be gone?
I was just thinking about this and I think that any division in any area between Christians is because one or both Christians is apart from God's stance on the matter -- or to reword, the only things that separate us from each other, as Christians, are things that separate us from God, first and foremost. And if we meet Jesus at the Cross, won't that be crucified and we be cleansed rather than just "overlooking" it? (I know it's a process, but I'm thinking of what the outcome in the end should be).

2) I believe that many times the church undermines the Holy Spirit's Authority and rightful place and the Power of the Resurrection that would transform us by teaching man-conceived theology in place of leading people to actually seek God's personal Guidance of us individually and as a unit, and by using psychology to convince the people of things or to cause them to change (when that is supposed to be a work of the Spirit).
How to you begin to unite with people through the Cross when they would rather rely on surface-based, human methods of "complete" transformation because they do not really believe in the Power of God actually changing man from the inside out?

3) It has been my experience with churches and Christians that they do not want to meet Jesus at the Cross -- that they constantly attempt to exchange it for their brand of religion that does not include the taking up of one's own Cross and following Jesus, truly. I believe that all religion is simply people looking for a "god" they can control (you know, that will give them want they want in return for what they want to give). Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with the One True God that demands our all and gives us beyond what we could ever earn or "buy" by our own sacrifices -- totally different. I honestly think a lot of Christians think that our purpose is to "improve" God's reputation through receiving or gathering of blessings and success. Too many of us too often forget that our purpose is to do what Jesus did throughout His whole Life -- submit to God's Will and bring it forth on earth as it is in Heaven. We tend to forget that Jesus did that not just as He was praised by the people, but as He was hated and crucified by the people. We forget that God also sends us as sheep amidst wolves to take part in His Plan of redemption for His people. We forget that the servant is not greater than the Master and that we, as students, are called to be like our Teacher in the ways He led us and taught us.
How do I go about encouraging people (and challenging them) to meet Jesus at the Cross who don't want to? I don't agree with the method of witnessing that says, "This is how you can get to Heaven" or "This is how to lead a happy life" because too many "converted" by those messages turn away from God or never really love God -- it's like a flu shot that gives them a small dose of the truth which makes them immune to ever really "getting" the full truth.

4) What do you do if fellow Christians refuse to reconcile (you know, focus on common goals instead of focusing on what causes each other to disagree and become angry)? There is one instance last year in which some disagreements came between a "brother" and I, although we professedly agreed on a lot of things. I first tried to make things right through words, but that got ugly because he didn't believe a word I said and kept accusing me of things that were completely untrue (not to say really offensive), so then I tried to handle it with prayer (asking him to provide a prayer, and myself providing prayers, that we could agree on and offer together to God, thus asking God to settle it all as we could not). He submitted his prayer (Psalm 19) and I agreed, then submitted mine... and then he called me crazy (basically) and cut me off. I've been praying for him, but he keeps slandering me. And because of him other friendships or work that was really important to me has been really hindered. Do you have any advice for "brothers" like him or simply how to pray for him? I'm sure it breaks God's Heart for stuff like that to happen and that's what bothers me so much. That and the fact that His Work and in my and others' lives is being hindered (or not happening at all). I'm praying and I want to protect the work, but am getting frustrated.

Thanks for your time and thanks for sharing the article. It gives me hope for the future -- and inspires me and encourages me to become ready for fellowship with true believers by meeting Jesus at the Cross daily so there won't be stuff in me that at all hinders His Work or Plan for the Church.

Thank you and God bless,
Nicole

Joshua,
Thank you so much for your kind offer. I came across "Stop Dating the Church!" a week or two ago someplace and skimmed through it, and became even more burdened with questions about church. I'll admit, I didn't have time to really study it then, though.
Could I trade books with you? I have two books on the subject that I could send to your church office address if you're game -- one about following God and continuing to grow spiritually when separated by circumstances from the larger church, and one on the Bride of Christ written by Hudson Taylor (in which he teaches what he learned during the time when he was awaiting marriage to his wife and was unable to see her so developed an intense longing for the day they would be finally joined as one and the desire to remove all that stood between them -- reflecting how God feels about us -- the Church -- and what stands between us being fully joined to Him). The books are both about the same length as your book on church, I think.
Thank you again and let me know.

God bless,
Nicole