Christianity as we know it is in serious need of a change. It is my strong belief that the church is in such a state that a time of reformation is at hand. What is Christianity? It is an organized religion, or more like an unorganized religion. The dictionary definition of Christianity is- a monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. The life and teachings of Jesus; is that what Christianity looks like today? Have you ever studied the life and teachings of Jesus and questioned what we call Christianity; Christ is part of the word but is Christ still a part of its meaning?
I feel a strong need to speak out, not against a particular church or denomination but about the things that need to change. It is my belief that Christendom as we know it is fractured and the pieces desperately need to be mended.
Over the course of weeks and possibly months I will be writing on a number of topics. I encourage debate, and discussion. I in no way claim to have the answers. I only intend to share what I have learned and experienced over the past 10 years.
Chapter One
THE GIFTED ONES...
If someone has a gift you do not, does that make that person better, more powerful, special, more highly favored, glow in the dark, one of God’s favorites, a cut above the rest, or really cool? No! Let’s look at the word “gift.” Is a gift something you earn? No! Is it something you deserve? No! A gift is something that is given, not requiring any prerequisites; what you do with the gift is up to you.
We are all gifted in a great diversity of ways. The problem is that Christianity is filled with “The Gifted Ones” you know, those people who call themselves servants of God but are more servants to their own egos.
If someone has to announce to the world the gifts they have to prove their authority, let me tell you, they have no authority. The only authority they have is what they imagine in their own minds.
Humility warrants the greatest authority. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” To often people who have a place of authority in the church are not so concerned about the gifts and talents of others and how they bring strength and unity to the church, instead they see others as a means to archive their own objectives.
Some might say, “this person has a vision from God” or “this person is anointed.” I’m not saying this might not be true, and there are those who have a great calling on their lives. Unfortunately there are those who are so blinded by their own ambitions they loose sight, and their passion turns into lust for power and authority. Trust turns into suspicions, stewardship turns into greed and worship of God turns into worship of self.
You might think this doesn’t happen. Haven’t you watched the news lately. Those are the ones who got caught. How does this happen? There are those in positions of authority in the church who unfortunately have the mind set that they are above question. No one has the right to question them because “they are under Gods covering” or “I am the man of God”, etc. “Pride comes before a fall”. It’s true, pride that will bring anyone down including a preacher or anyone else for that matter. Another problem is “the super star syndrome”, the people think so highly of this individual they dare not question him or her. Let’s make something clear, a pastor is no more a favorite of God than Billy who is in prison for grand theft auto. We all play by the same rule book, there are no exceptions or exemptions. I do believe very strongly we need to respect those who dedicate their lives to service but in no way are we to reverence the person in the position. We are to reverence God not man.
When was the last time you sat in church and there was a decision made that you didn’t agree with, or it just didn’t sit right with you? What did you do? Most people do nothing. They think that by questioning the pastor they are questioning God. Not so. The Bible talks about having a reverent fear of God but not fearing man. Is a pastor a human-being? Yup! Now I’m not saying to go kick down the pastors office door and demand to talk. Set up a meeting and have a calm and humble conversation. See how he reacts, if he gets defensive ask why. There is no reason someone in that position should get defensive.
No one is above the need for accountability, no one is beyond question, no one is above the law, no one is of greater value than another and no one has the right to manipulate or coerce, and use gilt to get their way. We are all human with all the wonderful frailties that go along with our humanity. We are all born and we will all one day die. No one and I mean no one, if they call themselves a Christian, should look at someone else and think they are some how better then some one else, another church or denomination.
If what we call Christianity, is going to hold true to its meaning then these things must change. Change doesn’t happen unless action is taken. We can’t hope it to change, think it to change, meditate on it to change, or hold your breath to make it change. It starts with you and me doing something about it.
Start by asking questions; just because something was said from behind a pulpit doesn’t mean it was from God. Meet with your pastor and leaders in the church if you don’t agree with something. Look it up, don’t take their word for it, see if what they say is true. Talk about it, don’t keep it to yourself, discuss your thoughts, don’t gossip, but have meaningful discussion about what is going on at church and Christianity as a whole. Get involved.It is one thing making a statement when your just warming the pew, it is another thing when you are actively involved in your church. And last of all and certainly not the least, pray for your church, your pastor, and other leaders.
I feel a strong need to speak out, not against a particular church or denomination but about the things that need to change. It is my belief that Christendom as we know it is fractured and the pieces desperately need to be mended.
Over the course of weeks and possibly months I will be writing on a number of topics. I encourage debate, and discussion. I in no way claim to have the answers. I only intend to share what I have learned and experienced over the past 10 years.
Chapter One
THE GIFTED ONES...
If someone has a gift you do not, does that make that person better, more powerful, special, more highly favored, glow in the dark, one of God’s favorites, a cut above the rest, or really cool? No! Let’s look at the word “gift.” Is a gift something you earn? No! Is it something you deserve? No! A gift is something that is given, not requiring any prerequisites; what you do with the gift is up to you.
We are all gifted in a great diversity of ways. The problem is that Christianity is filled with “The Gifted Ones” you know, those people who call themselves servants of God but are more servants to their own egos.
If someone has to announce to the world the gifts they have to prove their authority, let me tell you, they have no authority. The only authority they have is what they imagine in their own minds.
Humility warrants the greatest authority. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” To often people who have a place of authority in the church are not so concerned about the gifts and talents of others and how they bring strength and unity to the church, instead they see others as a means to archive their own objectives.
Some might say, “this person has a vision from God” or “this person is anointed.” I’m not saying this might not be true, and there are those who have a great calling on their lives. Unfortunately there are those who are so blinded by their own ambitions they loose sight, and their passion turns into lust for power and authority. Trust turns into suspicions, stewardship turns into greed and worship of God turns into worship of self.
You might think this doesn’t happen. Haven’t you watched the news lately. Those are the ones who got caught. How does this happen? There are those in positions of authority in the church who unfortunately have the mind set that they are above question. No one has the right to question them because “they are under Gods covering” or “I am the man of God”, etc. “Pride comes before a fall”. It’s true, pride that will bring anyone down including a preacher or anyone else for that matter. Another problem is “the super star syndrome”, the people think so highly of this individual they dare not question him or her. Let’s make something clear, a pastor is no more a favorite of God than Billy who is in prison for grand theft auto. We all play by the same rule book, there are no exceptions or exemptions. I do believe very strongly we need to respect those who dedicate their lives to service but in no way are we to reverence the person in the position. We are to reverence God not man.
When was the last time you sat in church and there was a decision made that you didn’t agree with, or it just didn’t sit right with you? What did you do? Most people do nothing. They think that by questioning the pastor they are questioning God. Not so. The Bible talks about having a reverent fear of God but not fearing man. Is a pastor a human-being? Yup! Now I’m not saying to go kick down the pastors office door and demand to talk. Set up a meeting and have a calm and humble conversation. See how he reacts, if he gets defensive ask why. There is no reason someone in that position should get defensive.
No one is above the need for accountability, no one is beyond question, no one is above the law, no one is of greater value than another and no one has the right to manipulate or coerce, and use gilt to get their way. We are all human with all the wonderful frailties that go along with our humanity. We are all born and we will all one day die. No one and I mean no one, if they call themselves a Christian, should look at someone else and think they are some how better then some one else, another church or denomination.
If what we call Christianity, is going to hold true to its meaning then these things must change. Change doesn’t happen unless action is taken. We can’t hope it to change, think it to change, meditate on it to change, or hold your breath to make it change. It starts with you and me doing something about it.
Start by asking questions; just because something was said from behind a pulpit doesn’t mean it was from God. Meet with your pastor and leaders in the church if you don’t agree with something. Look it up, don’t take their word for it, see if what they say is true. Talk about it, don’t keep it to yourself, discuss your thoughts, don’t gossip, but have meaningful discussion about what is going on at church and Christianity as a whole. Get involved.It is one thing making a statement when your just warming the pew, it is another thing when you are actively involved in your church. And last of all and certainly not the least, pray for your church, your pastor, and other leaders.
