I think about that dream (told in This Really Happened), sometimes, when I reflect on my experiences in the church. I remember how surprised I was to discover that simply belonging to a church did not make me a Christian. Moreover, I have found an inherent danger in being a "professional Christian"--one whose livelihood derives from trafficking in the gospel. Television evangelists notwithstanding, the greatest danger in this field is not the lure of financial gain, because most of us simply cannot hope to make that much. The danger is more insidious: that we may become so familiar with the facts of the gospel that we lose the proper sense of awe and gratitude at the enormity of the miracle performed on our behalf. Or, that we become so focused on the means--writing, singing, preaching--that we lose sight of the end, which is to gain a clearer view of the Savior. Or, that we mistake our calling for a tenured position, and come to subconsciously believe that since we are doing all this special activity for the Lord, we needn't bother with the mundane, everyday things: kindness, truthfulness, self-control. Falling into any one of these pits--and staying there--is fatal. Unfortunately, the threat is not limited to professionals; dedicated amateurs are often ensnared as well.

 All the stories presented here were closely drawn from real-life experiences. (Therefore, all names and identifying details have been changed.) The purpose of this collection is not to disparage the church, but to illumine those pits crowding it so that you and I can avoid them. As James and Paul pointed out in their New Testament letters, our actions must be consistent with our stated beliefs for our faith to be genuine. Paul indicated that he was so keenly aware of these personal pitfalls (". . . lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified," 1 Cor. 9:27, RSV), he took great care not to be a professional Christian. In between preaching and prison sentences, he earned a living with his tentmaking so that no one could accuse him of making a profit off the gospel (1 Cor. 9:6-15).

 In the same vein, Jesus used some of the strongest language recorded in the New Testament to condemn the Pharisees (more religious professionals) for their hypocrisy (Matt. 23). By mouthing empty religion, they misrepresented God in the worst way to the people who looked to them for truth. It's time to examine ourselves in this light. When outsiders look at us Christians today, whom do they see--Jesus or Church Lady?

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