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Well since it has been two months to the day since my last post I figured I ought to say something...
I am in awe of the things that I see God do in this world. I know there are a lot of people out there (maybe reading this) that don't even believe He exists and that baffles me in some ways and in others I totally understand. It baffles me because of the beauty and many miracles that are seen throughout creation. I guess it all could be by chance but honestly I don't have enough faith to believe that. I have also seen God interact in "my world" on numerous occasions in ways that I would have to deny my very being in order to chalk it up as coincidence. On the other hand I have witnessed things done in the name of God that are nothing short of evil. So I do understand how people could look on at the church and people who claim to represent God, with a jaded eye.
I'm a pastor and I am far from perfect. However my heart's desire is to please God and to love the people that He puts me in contact with, so that in someway I might reflect His glory in this world. We live in a kingdom that is full of pain, sickness, heartache and death and I believe that God would have those of us who follow Him, do our best to help alleviate that by expressing His love and grace to people in their time of need.
Today I heard a story that broke my heart. I listened as a brother of mine shared how he was treated by a man who claims to follow and serve the same God as I. Without saying too much about what happened, let me just say that it was just WRONG. Now I'm not going to go so far as to say that this guy doesn't know God or serve God, but in this instance his actions looked nothing like the God that I know. When I see christians and particularly pastors doing things that serve nothing but their own self interest and egos, I begin to understand why there are so many people in our country who don't believe.
So tonight I simply wanted to say something to all of you who have been hurt, disappointed, letdown or abused by people who claim the name of Jesus...
I am sorry. I am sorry that you have experienced what you have, but I can tell you that there is a God and He looks and acts nothing like those who have wronged you. He is a God of love, grace and mercy and personally I rely on that everyday of my life.
It is my prayer that somehow His love and grace will breakthrough the pain and that the people of God would wake up and begin to live for that which really matters. God let it begin with me...
What does it mean to live as a Christ follower in today's world? His message is relevant even when we aren't. He lived in community even though most of us don't. He engaged culture and many of us work hard to create our own sheltered subculture. Together let's rethink what it means to be the church.
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2 comments:
Your message was so true. I have been hurt by church family and it is not pretty. The sad thing is some don't realize how much they are hurting someone. I haven't been to church since I moved on the southside 6 years ago. I have church at home by watching it on tv. I miss the fellowship. God has been good to me and I will never stop loving him because of what people do. I was a sunday school teacher of ages 5-11 and I was also over the youth outreach group. I loved all the kids so much and it hurt me to leave that churh. I couldn't take how they were treating people especially young people that were coming to our church. It broke my heart. It was a strict church and it was ok for some people to do things and not others. I don't like Hypocrites. God sees us all the same. Ever since leaving there I feel like I really see the love of God and how he really is. He loves us all. Just one example: This teen started coming to our church and he had long hair. At an outing one saturday I heard a couple of older men tell him he needs to get his hair cut if he was going to come to the fellowhip outings. That young man never came back and he was so upset. I am sorry but that is not love that is control. I say get the people saved and if God feels they need to change something let him deal with his heart. Some things are better left to God. Ok I am done but just wanted to say thanks. I was looking for a church to visit and your church jumped out at me. So I am sure I will be visiting soon. Thanks for that message. God bless.
Michelle
Michelle, I am so sorry to hear about your experience. These kind of things break my heart and I am certain they break God's as well. It is ironic that I received your comment at the very moment that I was typing the following
"If there is one thing that is missing to a large degree in the church in America it is authenticity. People are longing for real relationships with others and ultimately with God, whether they realize it or not. The problem is that it has become harder and harder to find authentic expressions of community and faith. Many have given up on looking to the church, citing it as cold, judgmental, fake and the list goes on.
Personally I think it is time that we owned some of this. Not only that, I also think it is time to ask some of the hard questions that have been left unsaid for too long. As a pastor, I find it a bit troubling that I have been in agreement at times with people from other religions, agnostics and even atheists, regarding their opinions of the Christian church in America. Needless to say, something is very wrong..."
You are in my prayers and I hope to meet you sometime. If you visit Journey, please don't leave without introducing yourself.
For His Kingdom,
vic
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