I'm scared. We've been a part of 2 churches since we've been married and prior to that we had each been raised in one church (not the same one) our whole lives.
There is always, seemingly, a honeymoon phase when you start going to a church.The phase where you love the people, the message, the music, the mission, the love, the outreach. So you get more involved. Then the more involved you get the more you are reminded that churches are run by people. And people are flawed.
You still love the people and the message but gossip creeps in. People start to gripe about who does what, who doesn't, what's most important, and then there's the ever-existing "in crowd" at your church. Policy gets put before people and mission. The church feels like they have to take a hard, strong stance on tough issues, a stance you aren't comfortable signing your name to.
I guess the honest truth is that I'm afraid of falling into that again. It seems like it shouldn't be this way. Church shouldn't be a place where you so easily fall into gossip and pessimism. And it shouldn't separate you out by limiting your role because of your gender, sexuality, or previous church affiliations and practices.
I'm not yet one of the "unchurched" and I plan to keep looking but I may be a bit picky this time.
It's not about me. I know that. I realize I probably sound selfish, impossible to please, and like I'm totally missing the point of church. But I promise I'm not. I want a church that exalts Jesus, seeks justice, accepts everyone, will allow me a voice, and seeks to share the good news of the gospel. I know it exists. Now I just have to find it.
In this day and time, it is difficult to find a church that doesn't just tickle the ears. It is not about warm fuzzies, it is about teaching the gospel and letting people know of God's plan of salvation and the true consequences of not accepting this gift. And yes, we have to make allowances for people in the church because we are only human, but it sure does get frustrating. The Bible tells us not to gossip, not to stir up trouble, but many people do this anyway.
ReplyDeleteThis blog post leaves me scratching my head. In saying everything that you are looking for in a church, yet pointing out all of the flaws, aren't you one of "those people"? The people who judge others, the one who is not accepting, the one who is looking more to please yourself than you are to please God?
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking for a church that will give you the warm fuzzies, then just listen to Joel Osteen and the tv preachers who preach all about health, wealth, and happiness, and very little about the just, wrathful, and sovereign God. You can't have both . The Cross is offensive, it is meant to make you examine yourself and your life to see where you fall short. It is not accepting of any of the things that God says are wrong! I know that the world preaches tolerance and acceptance, but the TRUTH is, that as a believer, you have been commanded to tell others the truth. You can and should love someone, without tolerating or accepting every bad or wrong behavior in their life. Love sometimes means having to make the tough choices. I love my children, but I will not tolerate bad behavior, nor will I accept the argument that thats just who they are. It is my job as a parent to correct and discipline.
In reading through several of your posts, you seem confused about what it means to be a Christ follower. I won't use the word Christian, because not every "christian" is a follower of Christ. You seem to have a heart for people and you credit that to being more like Christ, but you are also very boastful about the things you do to try and "help". A true servants heart shouldn't seek or need public applause or approval. If you are questioning what you believe, I would implore you to seek God's word, immerse yourself in it, find out what it says for yourself and stop seeking commentaries from all of the so called preachers who make a good living by selling their opinion in books that a God thirsty nation quickly buys up.
Read the Bible, the whole Bible, not just the New Testament, nor just the Old, and certainly not just the words written in red. God meant for us to have His word as a guide for our life, it really is all you need.
Good luck in finding that perfect church, for the church is comprised of imperfect people and they will always fail and disappoint.
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33