Angry

It's been a while since I posted last. Even as I sit with my laptop, I am not sure what to type. There isn't a lack of topics, the problem is that I am overwhelmed with things, ideas, and issues. In truth, I have had a topic boiling on the back burner for a long time. I just don't know how to verbalize it.

At this time in history we are experiencing a very turbulent time. People are confused, and in truth I am right there with them. People are angry, and I am right there with them. People are struggling, and I am there.

Among all of the things I am angry with, and mad at, I have no choice but to include the Church. When I say I include the Church, I am not just speaking of a particular congregation or denomination. I am speaking of the Body of Christ as a whole. It will take me a moment, but bear with me and I will share with you my view.

I have been in the ministry for 10 years. I accepted Christ as my Savior at the age of 19, and knew right away that I would be a public servant in some form or another for Jesus. At around the age of 24 I surrendered into the ministry. Not long after this I took on the challenge of my first Church. This was a challenge all its own that opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed within the ministry.

There is a big problem within the Church today, and I saw it within 4 different views, in 4 different Churches. It's a sin that is over looked. It's a sin that I am certain makes God sick. As Church leaders, we are being people pleasers more than leaders.

In order to maintain the numbers, we refuse to deter from the path that the people are comfortable with. We bash Aaron for forming the Golden Calf, and yet we do the same thing with our traditions. The idol was familiar to the Hebrew people, and our traditions are familiar to us. The sad part is that we forsake God for garbage, just as the Hebrew people did.

In many Churches, we are forsaking our youth to preserve our tradtions. How is this any different from what the Pharisees were doing? They were called hypocrites because they were wrapped in religion that pushed God away.

As the Church, it is time that we stand up for what we believe. It's time that we stop replacing meekness with weakness. It's time that we begin following God without being ashamed. It's time for us to realize that we are pushing people away rather than inviting people in.

WHAT?

You read the last sentence correctly; we are pushing more people away than we are bringing in. The reason is because we are too wrapped up in pleasing those within the group of the Church. We are trying to please ourselves, and we are putting a wall up around the Church that tells the world to stay out.

Guess what, Jesus was called a friend of sinners because He fellowshipped with the world rather than with the religious leaders of His day. Jesus let a lost and dying world know that He loves them.

We are called the Body of Christ; shouldn't we act like it. We aren't a body of Pharisees. There is a world in need of Christ, and we are the preachers. We are the hands and feet. We are the mouths.

If Jesus were walking on earth today, would He visit a bar? Would Jesus stand on a corner and talk with a drug dealer or prostitute? Would Jesus ride a motorcycle?

Jesus would befriend the Doctor performing abortions. Jesus would lead meth dealers and drug lords to repent. Jesus would put aside all of the judgements about people. You are a member of the Body of Christ.

How big of a hypocrite are you?

I'm sure this short blog will anger some. If what I have said has angered you, you are likely someone I am speaking to.