No, i'm not talking about marshmallow fluff although it's definitely one of my favorite sweets. I'm talking about religious fluff. I write this post because I was stirred by another friends blog. I was asked a question the other night, "why blog? what is the point of it?" and yesterday I got my answer. It's because not only is it nice to hear about what's going on in my friends lives but it's also because every so often I'm challenged by them, by their thoughts and convictions, by their words and actions.
Confession: I haven't been to church in almost a year. Sure, i've popcorned here and there (very, very few times) but as far as belonging to a church, to a community - it's been a long time. So much has gone on this past year that has left me jaded. The spectrum is wide and the hurt is deep. Part of that pain comes from the loss of my church, my home. I spent over 5 years investing my time and my heart there. For awhile I felt loved, my faith was challenged and it grew, and it stood strong in it's vision - the vision of Christ & His church.
As my faith grew stronger I noticed the church growing weaker. Oh sure, the congregation grew, but the foundation was crumbling. The vision changed a handful of times (and continues to change) and then last year we went from meeting in a small church to a large ballroom at a hotel. That's where the real disconnect happened. Part of it is because we both worked for them - being behind the scenes and knowing too much. But, beyond that, the church sold out for the sake of being "Relevant". The messages became watered down, truth didn't balance the grace that was presented, and each Sunday felt like I was watching a concert & a movie instead of being in church. The who's who of authors, actors, and rock stars instead of the written words of people like Paul & John and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I'm sick of churches being so "Relevant" they miss the mark entirely. Are they really leading the flock properly? I don't think so. I feel cheated. Not that it's the church's entire responsibility for someones faith but they play a major part. I got smacked around this year and I felt unprepared. My ground wasn't solid because my foundation has been built on fluff.
I feel like this person does, "I don't want to be entertained at church. I want to be challenged. Convicted. Reminded why I am a great sinner and why Christ is a great savior."
So I wonder - where are those churches?
6 comments:
they are out there. none are perfect, though, sadly........because they are all made up of sinners. thank God that He uses us no matter what! his plans are still accomplished thru our inadequacies. i can only hope that God choses to use these churches despite their flaws. He is BIGGER......
wish you lived closer to MY church. ;) wink wink
God's plans are always executed through our inadequacies -- but it's not a good enough reason to excuse the inadequacies.
change is needed. period.
we are fallen, we are sinners, but the body of Christ has a CLEAR example set for it in the Bible and to ignore that and choose something differently - is wrong. and empty. and though no church is perfect -- there are certainly church that are trying more than others. stretching. aiming to reflect His mirror image. NOT THE WORLD'S. huge difference.
....but then again...you know how i feel already :)
sorry, that was from allison. :)
you probably know how I feel, but just in case I'm gonna go ahead and totally agree with you on this, it's sad that I get angry and that this is a topic that I feel my heart flame up about - I wish the topic of "church" did not get me going, rather - I wish when someone mentioned "Church" I would feel a calming, a sense of love and growth and belonging and family - but that rarely happens. Most people wouldn't admit it, but in rejecting the reading the WORD together and opting instead for the latest and greatest commentary on the Word, they are saying: "The Word is not relevant today, we need to spice it up to get through to people." Which is an enormous and dangerous sin.
I think your new year's resolution should be to find a new church... Seriously. Take a step back, and make it a quest to seek what you're looking for... it's def out there.
i hope no one thinks i'm excusing it. i think it's totally a valid point. i left a church that i didn't feel was my heart anymore....in search of something that i felt was much better. and there IS no perfect church. but the good ones ARE out there. they are the ones who see the inadequacies and seek to change them.........without judgement......but with a desire to be right to the best of their knowledge. that's the kind of church i want......
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