How to be a Christian

               when the  church gets in the way

And services and rituals

            demand that we obey

The rules and regulations

            of a patriarchal clique

Clinging to their power-base

            while we are left to seek

The life Jesus has taught us

            of giving and of love

Which is in the here and now

            not in the heavens above.

But we all sit meekly

            for hour after hour

Of superficial niceness

            not the galvanising power

He promised to his followers -

            a world turned upside down

Where love leads on to service

            and the poorest wear the crown.

If the church were Christian

            we wouldn't meet each week

To worship, we'd be out there,

            feeding sheep.

If the church were Christian

            there'd be no buildings left

They'd all be sold for housing

            for the poor and the bereft.

If the church were Christian

            it would hear the voice

Of prophets of this day and age

            and wouldn't have a choice

For driven by the Spirit

            it would upend the world

And the Banner of the Kingdom

            would this day be unfurled

Not in pomp and power

            or politicians guile,

The banner would be written

            in the welcome of a smile

The hand upon the shoulder,

            the sandwich for the man

Who shelters in the doorway

            with his dog and lager can,

I want to be a Christian

            for the way we live today

In the world and striving

            to change things as I pray

That more and more will realise

            the joy of serving you

Is not limited to Sundays

            and the folks who fill the pew.

It is filling every moment

            every hour and every day

With all the power you gave us

            to draw others to the Way;

And anyone who does so -

            who cares what they believe? -

Will be a follower of Jesus

            comforting the souls who grieve,

Feeding those in hunger,

            bringing healing to the lost

Visiting the prisons

            and never count the cost.

If the church were Christian

            I would not need to write

For we'd be out there doing

            Now the things we know are right.

Brian Hick 2020 (?)

©copyright Sally Hick March 2022