The name, Crazy for Christ, on the most basic level is meant to attract attention. Especially those youth (and adults) who are bombarded with media blitzes that attract them away from Christ and the Church. The term "crazy" is used in both a positive and negative sense. We often hear it used in such sentences as: "I'm crazy about you." Or, I'm not that "crazy" (or fond) of that message. We also hear the term used in sentences like: "He's crazy" (meaning the person is outgoing or is enthusiastic). And in the negative: "That guy is crazy." (meaning he's insane or mad). The American Heritage Dictionary defines "crazy" as - 1. Infected with or suggestive of madness; or insane. 2. Departing from proportion or moderation, especially: a. Possessed by enthusiasm or excitement b. Immoderately fond c. Not sensible; impractical.
Let's look at the term "crazy" in the positive sense. We, in Crazy for Christ, are extremely excited about the "Good News" of the gospel. The Father in Heaven loved us so much that He sent His only begotten son for the salvation of the world. "In His son and through Him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life" (26). Now, even death cannot hold us bound. Who would not be "crazy" or excited about this message.
Jesus calls us to be either "hot or cold", for if we are "luke warm" He will "spew" or vomit us from his mouth. Jesus is calling us to die to self, to die to sin, and to live in Him. We cannot have it both ways. Therefore, a "moderate" approach will not work. God wants us to commit every facet of our lives to him. You cannot serve "both God and Mammon." Thus, we must depart from portioning out a little for God and a little for me. We must give the entire portion of our lives to God, our creator and savior.
The first definition defines crazy as infected with or suggestive of madness; or insane. The church has been built on blood. It began with the death of Christ. Through death we gained life everlasting. Paul states in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 1, verse 18, that "The message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." To the world, sacrificing selfish desires (our world measures a man or woman by title and material possessions), praying to an unseen God and believing that He will hear our prayers is "crazy" or madness. St. Paul, in Corinthians Chapter 1 Verse 10 states that if we are "fools it is for Christ." What seems ludicrous to the world is that a poor man can be blessed. According to the world, including many professionals, even the great mystics (Many whom are Church Fathers) of our Church would be assessed as mad, or insane. One of the great saints of the church, St. Francis of Assisi, would definitely be considered a little "crazy" by the standards of the world. He gave up all of his earthly possessions and took the position of a beggar, all for the glory of God. Yet, God calls us out of living for self. He calls us to deny the self, to reject the enemy, and to set our sights on the greater treasures that will be set aside for us in heaven.

In John Chapter 8, Jesus was speaking about the fact that He is the "Light of the World," and that He is "the Father's Ambassador," the Pharisee's thought that He was possessed. You see up until only a few decades ago, those who were insane were thought to have a demonic Spirit. Therefore, they used the term possessed, in place of insane. Jesus accepted His cross and carried it to His death for the salvation of the world. His apostles, at first, even did not understand this. Yet, Jesus challenges us to step out against popular opinion also. In Luke 14, Jesus challenges us to follow in His footsteps. He states in verse 27 "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." Therefore, we are called to step out in faith regardless of popular opinion, to carry our cross, to look "crazy" to the world. As Saint Paul states in Romans 8: 37, "As it is written: 'For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.' No in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us." How impractical (crazy), how nonsensical (crazy), how immoderate (crazy), to renounce possessions, to lay down one's life for a friend, to leave mother and father, sister and brother to follow Jesus Christ, but Oh how wonderful - "We are more than conquerors."

My greatest desire is that I decrease as the Lord increases; that I may say yes Lord and give my all. I Pray that I may "grow up in my salvation" by devoting my life to Him; so that we, as the first disciples, might see tongues as of fire appear, and it might rest on me and others; that we might be or continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit and be gifted with the abilities to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord so that our Church might grow in numbers and unity. I pray that I may seem "crazy" (excited, immoderately in love with Christ, a fool, and mad) to the world so that I may be persecuted not for my sins, but for righteous sake.

I pray that through this ministry, our church will be renewed and strengthened; that those who are not being reached may be reached. I pray that our group may fulfill its calling stated so beautifully in the Catechism - "Lay people also fulfill their prophetic mission by word and the testimony of life." 913 - "Thus, every person, through these gifts given to him, is at once the witness and the living instrument of the mission of the Church itself, according to the measure of Christ's bestowal." As St. Thomas Aquinis states "to teach in order to lead others to faith is the task of every preacher and of each believer." May the Crazy for Christ team lead others to faith.

In Christ,

Mike