The Problem With Our Churches
Submitted by Chris on August 16 2000 12:37:01
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Hi Everyone, Just recently I have been giving a lot of thought to the state of our churches. And I really believe that, across the board, almost all of them are guilty of doing a thing that is most certainly responsable for either driving away people, or keeping people from coming. I'll tell you what, if I were invited to someone's house to stay for a while, and then that person began to do or say things to make me feel unwelcome, I would leave. And I doubt if I would ever visit that person again. I would consider him to be very rude and I would have a very hard time trusting him. Folks, I think this is just exactly what is happening in our churches....regardles of thier respective denominations. Some churches come right out and reject people (I say "people" instead of narrowing it down into "gays" or "boylovers"..etc., because, although we have felt the worst of thier rejection, we are by no means the only ones). They want only a certain kind of person attending thier services. Case in point, I know some teenagers who decided to attend a service at a local church....the pastor spent his time in the pulpit berating them because of the way they were dressed. You can bet those kids will never set foot in that church again. Then, some churches will say they welcome folks, but thier congragation will talk about them, berate them, behind thier backs, and make them feel unwelcome. Jesus never taught rejection or condemnation. He would accept anyone....especially those who were unacceptable by society. He dared to talk to the likes of prostitutes, tax collectors, and such. He dared to touch the "unclean" like lepers. He lived His life as an example for us to follow....and for a very good reason. He not only held within Him the greatest power of love..the love of His Father, He knew that folks needed example after example of it! If we are to love God, then we must see this love dmonstrated by HIs Children! And it is just this that the church is failing to do. I have visited many differant churches, but I never stay very long. As soon as I feel un-welcome, I really don't feel like staying. What does it take to make a person feel unwelcome? Well, besides the obviouse things like condemning sermons, something like an off-colored joke about gays after the service, or even the lack of a simple "hi, how are you" and a handshake will do. I've been in a lot of "cold" churches. I think that this is yet another reason why we need a revelation! Jesus is not understood in our churches, and niether is His great love! I don't know exactly what it will take to accomplish this, but I am certain that until it is accomplished, there will be more and more empty pews. That is why I have been praying for them, and for us as well. Love in Christ Jesus, Chris |
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