Join our Club!

As I write, the campaign about the place of Britain in the European “club” is getting under way. Should the UK stay in the European Union, or should it leave? It will be up to the British people to decide in the referendum vote on 23 June.

The core of the argument to stay in is the same as in the Scottish independence referendum: it is wiser to be part of a group with some influence in the world than to become splendidly isolated - and vulnerable. On the other hand, the independence-seekers argue, an integrated club member may have little say over corporate decisions that are not in its best interests.

In the view of other countries, Britain can be a difficult partner and they should let her go if that is what she wants to do. Yet it is good to have a strong country with a major economy inside the grouping.

So much for nations. What about individual people? Youth organisation leaders used to have a word by which they measured the sociability of potential club members: “clubbable”. The question comes to each one of us: am I clubbable?

To the great disappointment of my parents and others, I showed no desire to join any youth organisation. Scouts, Boys’ Brigade, Junior Church, Youth Club - my response was always the same: I preferred my own company. I guess I lost a great deal by way of personal development as a result. The one exception I made was the church itself. I always felt drawn to join this, as if by a magnet.

We tend to think of the followers of Jesus as a “club” of twelve whom He called to be His disciples. We see this group as static, dependable, loyally with Jesus throughout except for a temporary wobble when all deserted Him at His arrest. After the resurrection most of them re-formed and made up the nucleus of the first church.

This picture fails to take account of the many people who came and went throughout Jesus’ ministry. Some didn’t like His challenging talk and drew back.

Perhaps the most thought-provoking story is that of the rich young man in Mark 10. He asked Jesus a question about the commandments. When Jesus answered, there was a most interesting exchange between them:

“And he said to him, ‘Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.’ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’  Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 
“And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’” (Mark 10:20-23 ESV)

For some reason Jesus warmed to this man. He would have liked to see him in His band of followers. Yet he spotted that there was in this person a block, a sticking point. The man was simply too attached to his wealth. Jesus proposed a radical solution: the man should exchange all he had for treasure in heaven and come and follow Jesus.

At that point the man proved not to be clubbable. He went away sorrowful. Maybe he tried being spiritual on his own, cushioned from the disturbing challenges of Jesus and His followers.

Though I joined the church, I was slow to grow because I still wouldn’t take part in study and other groups that were available. In such activities, the rough edges can be knocked off you more quickly and you can progress further and faster.

Please don’t make the same mistake. The company of Christ may disturb and challenge, but none but He can satisfy.