16 April 2009 1 Comment

Are You A Tofu Christian?

Diane is a member of our leadership team and I had the privilege of getting to know her better when we went with our evaluation team to Kenya to pursue aiding kids in the Mathare slums. I have a lot of respect for Diane and I learned that she has had Africa on her heart for quite some time. One of the things I appreciate about good leaders is their self awareness. How often do you go through a process of self evaluation? Taking a good look at your faith, your strengths, your weaknesses, your personal growth?

Recently Diane reflected about her faith journey and discovered something interesting:

Over the last couple of years I’ve tried to expand my food selections. I’ve been a chicken and potatoes and burger kinda gal my whole life. In the past two years I tasted salmon – and liked it; ostrich – too salty; crocodile – yucky tough; and, bleu cheese dressing – wow good! And, of course, tofu. I actually tried tofu several times, I just didn’t know it. Tofu is an impostor food. It takes on the taste of whatever food it’s mixed into. So, I have had tofu that tasted like butter sauce, Italian tomato sauce, cheese whiz (oh yeah!) and, my favorite, chili sauce! Same tofu. Different sauce.

Over my years as a Christian, I have attended a dozen different protestant denominations. Looking back there were several times that I began to think and act like the denomination – charismatic, evangelical, Presbyterian, pentecostal (oh yeah!). Each with their own unique ’sauce’ added to the basic tofu.

It has only been in the last ten years where I actually claimed my faith as MY own, and not a denomination’s. Essentially, I was a Tofu Christian – I sounded/tasted like the church that I claimed as my home at that time.

Best thing about growing through this is that right now, a funky decade or two later, I know exactly what ’sauce’ I do not want to ‘taste’ like ever again. Sometimes it’s hard to figure that out when you are wandering around, drenched with sauces and sparkling color.

So how about you?Is your faith your own? Are you fearful to take the next spiritual step because of those around you?
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One Response to “Are You A Tofu Christian?”

  1. Mandy Slater 16 April 2009 at 1:24 pm #

    wow!


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