Love it or Leave it?
Last year, my daughter, Tiffany, posted the following question on her blog...
I thought you might find the responses interesting. I sure did. But, I'm really not too surprised. I've heard a lot of comments like these, lately.
"Definitely . . . all we can do is pray, pray, pray . . ."Any thoughts?
"We humans have a tendency toward making things that are supposed to simple extremely complicated. If you read about the history of 'the church,' man has always implemented rules and regulations that were not God's intention. I agree...sometimes it does get tiring!"
"The simple answer is 'Yes.' The complex answer is, 'Yes, so what do we do about it?' Do we just ignore it and do what we want? Do we continue to complain and go for those times when God does meet us there? Do we change it from within? Do we go out 'into the wilderness' and buck the system? Do we make our own set of rules? Do we wait on God to teach us how to worship in spirit and in truth? (I don't expect you to have answers—just things that came to mind when I read this.)"
"Yes...Yes...Yes..."
What say you?
There are many things I want to do...but in the end I think God wants us to simply trust Him and do what He wants us to do.
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I agree, Steve. It pays to "wait on the Lord."
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I am so tired of 'church', I cant wait until God's people get this thing straight.... I can't wait until heaven... but that is the easy way out. We must endure the same things as Christ has endured for us. I want to make a huge difference in the 'church'. I don't want to be the problem. I want to help bring the solution (Jesus) to the church, and to help in any way I can. I dont want to give up... I want to press forward. I want to see the church rise up before I am taken out of this world. Something has got to happen!
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The BEST is yet to come, Tiffany! And you have a big part to play. Faith and patience... :^)
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The Church looks a whole lot like the Pharisees in the Bible - critical, judgmental, more concerned with the outside than the inside, focused on rules instead of relationship. And it's not a denominational thing. I've seen it from the most traditional to the most charismatic of churches and people. I think it's a human nature thing. It's a lot easier to live under the law than to walk in the spirit.
I've also had my eyes opened recently to the fact that we tend to "do church" a lot, but we don't do much ministering to people outside of church. We seclude ourselves in our own safe world so we don't have to get dirty with someone else's problems or commit ourselves to helping someone mature over a long period of time because it's just too uncomfortable. We like to invite people to church and feel like we got our brownie points because we did our part. But in the gospels we find Jesus right in the middle of sinners' messed up lives. He didn't hide away in his "churchy" world. He hung out with those that the "church" of that time looked at as unclean and not good enough. And He was condemned for it by the leaders of organized religion. He really didn't live much like most American Christians do.
It's hard to step out of our comfort zones, but I believe that is exactly what God is calling us to do. Our hearts need to be turned in love toward the lost just as His heart is. The two greatest commandments are about love. God so LOVED... that He gave. That's what the Church needs to look like.
So those are my thoughts, for what it's worth!
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Thanks, Rosie! Those are some great thoughts.
I think a lot of people's eyes are being opened--and I think it's a "God-thing." But, I am concerned about how we react or respond to these revelations. Disillusionment and disappointment often turns to anger and bitterness. That can be deadly. But, I believe there is hope.
The first step to solving any problem is to realize that there's a problem to be solved. Now it's up to each of us to decide whether we're going to be part of the problem or part of the solution. May God grant us wisdom to know and do His will.
Meanwhile, the world waits...
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Churches vary, but what I really love about the church we are part of is the people that go there. Don't get me wrong, we have good services, good preaching, teaching, and worship, but if I have to be out for a Sunday or two, it's the people I miss. I miss Lorrie and George, Hal And Tammy and their kids, Jakie and Dorothy. I could go on, but you get the picture.
I think we have promoted programs and institutions and ignored building personal relationships.
Of course I should qualify what I have said just a bit. Our church only runs 75 on a real good Sunday, and that does make it a little easier to get to know people.
My take on the subject: if you get more involved in the lives of others at church, church may get better for you regardless of what goes on in the services.
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I agree with you, Verl.
The Church is people--and the more connected you are to God's people, the more likely you are to get something out of Church.
But, on the other hand, people often hurt people, and that's why many have retreated from the Church. One can only be bitten, bludgeoned, and brutalized so often before becoming more concerned about self-preservation than with regular church attendance.
In the words of Sonny and Cher "and the 'beat' goes on!" Sad, but true.
God help us all, each and every one...
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There seem to be two basic types of people in any church: Sheep and Goats. Sheep are harmless, goats, on the other hand are downright mean. The trick is to avoid getting "goat bit". When you do get goat bit, that's when you have to decide if you are going to allow some immature or hateful person run you off.
It hurts when you get goat bit, it isn't always easy to get over it either, but you have to recognize that the one behind the attack isn't the person who hurt you, rather it's the spirt they yeilded to.
I've been beat up, and I know what I'm talking about. It's best to get over it as quickly as possible and go on with God. You only have a limited time on this earth to accomplish things for Him. Avoid distractions.
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Wise counsel, my friend.
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I think "the church" people get a little carried away on their expectations of the members. I got extremely burned out trying to work full time plus at my paying job, as well as support all the many leadership requirements that the church levied upon me. I think sometimes the church forgets how demanding life can be and how hard it is to juggle all of the responsibilities a member has. I think this happens because, for the church leaders, the church is their job.
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Excellent observation, Janet!
Pastors and church leaders, are you listening?
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Life of Faith was a "Body of Christ".
Cross Current is a "Church".
I'll leave it at that. Love you Dad!!
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Hello Tiffany: Thank you for your honesty and laying out the facts, there are some that would not have the nerve to speak out that kind of truth, but put on a mask, thanking you that I am not the only one,I exhort you, you go girl, I will be praying for you, that more get going and take Jesus's words as the Gospel instead of watering the words down or analzing everthing with their head knowledge instead of taking God's word at what He said, and it's true when are we going forward instead of backwards. YOU GO GIRL, I will keep you in prayer.
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Amen, I love this thread. I think Tiff nailed it--strive not to be a part of the problem--that's biblical!
Grace!
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So Randy... I found your blog, and have been waiting a while for more from you. You have a lot to share that will help us. Let's hear it.
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I believe God may be about to do something about this. We must pray and be ready to respond.
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God Bless you Randy and Family. I (Susan) am a old life a Faither when you were on Hancock and then the Skating Rink, then I moved to Harbor Beach. Hard to believe Tiffany is 18 or older now!!! I see this is a older blog. She was maybe 3 or 4 the last time I saw her. I got your blog site from Tom and Brenda. God Bless you all and if you want to we are good cooks and it is very relaxing in Harbor Beach come for a visit. The Lord just built our Church Body a new Church too. Light House Assembly of God.When I started this Church there were 10 folks attending, God Has Been soooo good.We humbly and in faith walk forward. I ABSOLUTELY CHERRISH THE MEMORIES at Life of faith thank you for being The Lords hands to me for His healing
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