Why is it that the bad apples in the church tend to hold high offices in the church? Why do many Christians feel the need to pass judgement on eachother? Many Christians act like bullies, picking on others to make themselves feel better about themselves and their relationship with God. It makes me sick. I've tried over and over again to get back up on that horse and find another church like a good little Christian but no matter where I go, I get treated like garbage. I try to give of my time and talents, but apparently I'm not good enough for the church. I don't speak in tongues so I'm deemed unsuitable to serve the Lord. Just another one of the rules I've come across that I'm pretty sure Jesus didn't make. Why is it that when a Christian doesn't fit into a religious 'cookie cutter', they get thrown out? Doesn't it seem odd that churches always claim to accept anyone with open arms, yet they spit their venom out at families that don't have their 'house in order' in their opinion? And who are they to decide who is suitable to come into God's house?
The only way to be accepted in the church in this day and age is to be just like everyone else, shut your mouth, sing when you're told to sing, pray when you're told to pray and keep your problems and needs to yourself. And God help you if you have problems (alcoholism, pronography addictions, etc.) because they'll turn their back on you faster than you ever dreamed possible. Apparently in the eyes of the church, good Christians don't have problems, and they certainly don't battle with ugly addictions or need help for anything. Good Christians supposedly have everything figured out.
In trying to find out why many Christians are turning away from the Lord, I think we have to look at the church first. And in looking at the church, we need to look at ourselves. Be honest. Have you ever excluded someone from your church activities because of a rumor (true or untrue) you heard? Have you not spoken to or avoided someone on purpose because of something you heard about that person? Have you judged someone because of their family situation or circumstance? Have you ever considered yourself better that someone else because you go to church every Sunday, take part in youth group, or hold a position within the church? Have you judged someone coming into your church because of their appearance? It's because of actions like these that many God-fearing Christians leave the church and go out into the 'wilderness' to fend for themselves. Those are some of the actions that crush good people and drive them away from the Lord. It's hard to keep on the straight and narrow when you are deprived of Christian contact or a church home. Believe me, I know. I've been without a church for a few years now.
I'm not trying to be smug or rude, but this is just how I feel. Words and actions from one Christian to another hold immense power. A rude comment or a judging glance may just be enough to drive someone away from the fellowship they deserve. In my experience with the church I've come across pastors that judge quickly and shut the door even quicker, one that literally turned his back on me and my wife in prayer, one that stood by and did nothing while numerous good Christians were ostracized from his church by his parishioners, one that talked badly about his own parishioners when he didn't think they were listening, etc. I could go on and on. By and large the church has become a source of abuse, not love and fellowship. If you've never felt the abuse, odds are that you either play the game well or you know enough to keep a low profile so as not to draw attention to yourself. How long can we afford to let the church continue to abuse God's people? How can the church focus on harvesting souls when good people are slipping through their fingers?
The only way to be accepted in the church in this day and age is to be just like everyone else, shut your mouth, sing when you're told to sing, pray when you're told to pray and keep your problems and needs to yourself. And God help you if you have problems (alcoholism, pronography addictions, etc.) because they'll turn their back on you faster than you ever dreamed possible. Apparently in the eyes of the church, good Christians don't have problems, and they certainly don't battle with ugly addictions or need help for anything. Good Christians supposedly have everything figured out.
In trying to find out why many Christians are turning away from the Lord, I think we have to look at the church first. And in looking at the church, we need to look at ourselves. Be honest. Have you ever excluded someone from your church activities because of a rumor (true or untrue) you heard? Have you not spoken to or avoided someone on purpose because of something you heard about that person? Have you judged someone because of their family situation or circumstance? Have you ever considered yourself better that someone else because you go to church every Sunday, take part in youth group, or hold a position within the church? Have you judged someone coming into your church because of their appearance? It's because of actions like these that many God-fearing Christians leave the church and go out into the 'wilderness' to fend for themselves. Those are some of the actions that crush good people and drive them away from the Lord. It's hard to keep on the straight and narrow when you are deprived of Christian contact or a church home. Believe me, I know. I've been without a church for a few years now.
I'm not trying to be smug or rude, but this is just how I feel. Words and actions from one Christian to another hold immense power. A rude comment or a judging glance may just be enough to drive someone away from the fellowship they deserve. In my experience with the church I've come across pastors that judge quickly and shut the door even quicker, one that literally turned his back on me and my wife in prayer, one that stood by and did nothing while numerous good Christians were ostracized from his church by his parishioners, one that talked badly about his own parishioners when he didn't think they were listening, etc. I could go on and on. By and large the church has become a source of abuse, not love and fellowship. If you've never felt the abuse, odds are that you either play the game well or you know enough to keep a low profile so as not to draw attention to yourself. How long can we afford to let the church continue to abuse God's people? How can the church focus on harvesting souls when good people are slipping through their fingers?
