Have you ever heard of Hipster Christians?
Me neither. That is, until this week when I all of a sudden realized it is everywhere down in the United States, thanks to some American preachers I follow on Twitter.
According to the press, admittedly, some of their own press, Hipster Christianity is where church and cool collide. Catchy phrase, that.
The problem is, I have no idea what they are on about.
Here are some qualifications for being a "Hipster:" You might have an artistic temperament, or play in a garage band; you might have piercings or a tattoo; you like movies, books and music that is well respected and well, normal; you don't listen to Christian Contemporary music; don't like political evangelists, or televangelists; and don't think people are going to hell.
I have to tell you that I have never been called hip in my life. I sometimes thought I was cool, but certainly not in a hip way. I think you would like me though. I am also very much a mainstream protestant minister - and have been one for 16 years now.
My favourite band is Third Eye Blind. My favourite movies are the same as most of yours - although I am a guy reared on Monty Python, so I have some stupid humour problems. Love Steve Carell, for example.
I read graphic novels; my favourites are Planetary and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
I play a level 80 Paladin in World of Warcraft online.
My ear was pierced three times until I was 30. I have a tattoo and want another one. I dream of owning a Harley.
I have mostly dressed as Dracula for Halloween and have read and seen every vampire movie there is.
Oh, and I write science fiction for a hobby.
I also visit in hospitals, council people with problems, volunteer my time for organizations involved in change, sit with the dying, mourn with the widows, give to the church and World Vision and the World Wildlife Fund.
I hope you see the point.
Almost every one of the people I know is a Christian. We all drink. We all play Xbox. We all can't wait for Harry Potter to come out. Half of us love comic books and the other half think we are stupid for loving comic books.
To me, "Hipster Christian" is a definition of normal person.
In what far-fetched corner of the galaxy is someone who likes movies, songs and stories that are critically and artistically judged among the best of the best some strange sort of new evolution of humanity?
The labelling has to stop.
I don't even understand why we have Protestants and Catholics anymore. The things we fought about back at the end of the Middle Ages certainly don't matter anymore, let alone the 10 million denominations - and now we are subdividing denominations according to fads?
People do not come to church because they think the people in church are not like them, plain and simple.
Jesus spent his life trying to be "just some guy who understands what you are going through" and he changed the world for the better because of it.
The truth is those inside the church are exactly like those on the outside.
They make mistakes, they make stupid choices, they spend too much time watching TV and eat junk food too much of the time. By creating a whole movement that says "hey, there are Christians who are relevant, who are hip..." you are implicitly stating that the bulk of Christianity is irrelevant and anachronistic.
Which is a lie.
Jesus was a social engineer who lost his life because of his politics. He was not trying to get people into Heaven. He was not trying to leave the world behind. He was trying to introduce religious values into everyday life.
Pray - because it connects you to something greater than yourself. Be humble - you are not the creator of your destiny, the universe is. Love - everyone is connected and we all need each other. Respect - there but for the grace of God.
You get the idea. Stop imagining me as something I am not. Those who are religious, they are pro-human, pro-love, and possibly the community you are looking for, hip or not.
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