Basecamp Church
Albert Bogle
January 05, 2017
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Luke 9:33
As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ (He did not know what he was saying.)
I’m told if you visit the basecamp for those who are about to climb Everest that you will discover all kinds of people there. Many of them have no intention whatsoever of climbing Everest. They have simply made the journey to the first Everest basecamp, to be simply onlookers. A whole tourist industry has been built around visiting the basecamp. On occasion I wonder if some of our churches have become basecamps full of tourists. I first came across this analogy being used to describe the Christian who is looking for a spiritual experience rather than a spiritual life reading Eugene Peterson’s book, A long Obedience in the Same Direction, in it he writes the following:
Everyone is in a hurry. The persons whom I lead in worship, among whom I counsel, visit, pray, preach and teach want shortcuts. They want me to help them fill out the form that will get them instant credit (in eternity). They are impatient for results. They have adopted the lifestyle of a tourist and only want the high points...The Christian life cannot mature under such conditions and in such ways.
If we are going to be a disciple we need to be prepared to move out of the basecamp and begin to walk the way of the pilgrim. Could this mean for some being prepared to leave church as we know it even for a short time in order to encounter the presence of Christ being with us in the world?
In Luke 9. 33 Peter has an encounter with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. He ends up wanting to stay, to build a basecamp. The scripture makes it plain Peter was called to go back down the mountain and face the rough and tumble of daily living.
Lord,
We must confess
There is something enjoyable about basecamp
It’s a time to reflect
To relax
To prepare
To get ready
To talk about the next stage of the journey
But there is always the temptation
To wait a little longer
To look for better weather
To search out a shortcut
To wait for more favourable companions
To make excuses
To become a tourist
Lord,
Forgive
Our inactivity
Our over crowded basecamps
Give us the to passion to step out
Into your world
To be pioneers
To start climbing
To engage with the rough terrain of living
To turn our theologising into practice
You have not called us to be tourists
You call us to be pilgrims
To join with you
Meeting others on the way
Binding - up the broken hearted
Pointing others in the direction of the Kingdom
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