Well its been along time since ive put anything up here. Guess ive just had other things going on. I decided id combine several of the unfinished drafts i had just to clear them out.
Ok, one of the reasons that I have really started to loathe church is because it isnt real. I cant seem to have a sunday morning conversation without being overwhelmed with contrived, feel good drivel. ” how are you?” “oh im blessed!”
I hate it because it breeds insincerity. People start to think their faith or goodness is based on how many people they invite to church…or how many sunday school classes they teach. I read an account about a newly single mother who was visiting with her Christian coworker about her divorce, and how money was tight, and her bills were stacking up. Her landlord wanted her out of her apartment, but her youngest kid was sick. All this was piling up, and the poor woman was reaching her breaking point. The coworker, knowing she needed to do something, hugged her, and told her that it was all going to be ok because, of course, God has a plan. Shocked that this didnt seem to make the single mother feel better, she invited her to church that sunday.
That woman didnt need to be invited to church. She needed some groceries. She needed her electric bills taken care of. She needed compassion and LOVE. Not empty christian rhetoric. Inviting someone to church does not equal LOVE. Witnessing does not mean you tell someone God has a plan. It means you ACT…in a way that christ would have.
So, i was browsing some blogs, and i came across this one. http://hadleybaker.blogspot.com/2009/05/are-you-unchristian.html
I am still amazed that people are shocked when they hear this kind of information. It really makes me wonder where they have been hiding, because it certainly isnt in the real world. Mr Baker writes …
Most younger Americans do not think of the church or Christianity in a positive light. The research was shocking to me. How did a “Christian” nation produce a generation of young people who want nothing to do with the church.
Well, first this insnt a “Christian” nation. In never was nor was it meant to be. The founding fathers may have been christians, but thats about as far as it goes. The question is, How did the church produce a generation of young people who want nothing to do with the church. The answer? Hmmm, Jerry Fallwell, Robert Tilton, Jimmy Swaggart…need I continue? Ok, how about priests who cant keep their hands off little boys, Health/wealth/prosperity preachers who tell people that God will bless them financially if they give more and more, then fly away in their private jets? How about churches who are more concerned with their multi-million dollar sanctuary than they are with the homeless?
In recent years, the “church”, or at least the part that gets the attention, has been the exact opposite of Christ. Judgemental, unloving, self involved a-holes. Oh, sure, they love to appear caring…Lost your job? Let me pray for you…Losing your Home? Let me invite you to sunday school…Car broke down? Dont miss the message on Wednesday night…Got Problems? Let me help as long as it doesnt actually cost me. Given the image the church projects, why would/should a generation of youth want anything to do with church. Heck, most of the time I dont want anything to do with the church.
I was at a buddys house a few weeks ago, and we were watching a little late night tv, and we ran across Pastor Kearney Thomas. Isnt it sad that whenever you see a preacher on late at night you only need to wait a couple seconds before he makes the pitch for whatever he is selling. Sadder still that you know he isnt selling Jesus or salvation. This idiot was peddling the “Red Blood of Jesus Payerkerchief”. It was…laughable.
Whatever happened to the days when pastors just wanted to be men of god? Now everyone wants to be a bishop or a prophet, or…..id like to find one preacher….ONE…who could honestly make me believe that he loves God or me as much as he loves money or notariety or fame.
Somewhere in this vast country, there must be a guy, who works a job all week long, and pastors a church because he feels thats what God wants him to do.
There has to be a genuine guy out there somewhere.
There has to be.
