Churches can be very peculiar places. Just when you think you’ve figured out what they are supposed to be from a Biblical perspective, they go and make alterations. I have been to many churches in my lifetime and the bad ones far outweighed the good. This is where I put my DISCLAIMER: This piece is nothing more than my opinion and not an indictment of all denominations or churches or pastors throughout the land. Okay, now that I’ve gotten THAT out of the way, let me get down to business.
Most people, I believe, would like to go to a church whose congregation is friendly. I was the member of one such church in Texas. In my search for a church home several years ago, I went to a church that seemingly herded their parishioners into the service where they sat, stood, sat, stood, sat and then got up and left en masse, just as they came in. Oh, there were greeters at the doors going into the sanctuary, but it was obvious that they were only saying HI because they were told to. The message was great, but I have never darkened their door again because I was seeking fellowship in addition to spiritual food.
Denominations are man’s invention. Nowhere in the Bible will you find the words Catholic or Protestant, Methodist or Lutheran, Pentecostal Holiness or Primitive Baptist … well, you get the idea. Man came up with these institutions. Basically, I guess they felt it was necessary because not everyone could agree on the peripheral doctrines. Is healing for today or not? Do we speak in tongues or is it of the devil? Do you get saved when you are baptized or when you ask for forgiveness at the alter or in your car driving down the road. Sad thing about that is that no one ever went to hell for believing or not believing in any of those issues, but churches through the years have divided over things such as that.
Some pastors are longwinded … as if the people will get what they are trying to say if they speak for a looooooong time … say an hour. Yeah, that sounds right. No matter how anointed a man is, if he can’t get his point across in 30 minutes or so, then something is wrong. Some churches sing two hymns from a Psalter, played on the piano and organ and THAT is their worship service. Some churches refuse to have music of any kind claiming it is a sin. Others, in an effort to attract a younger congregation into their services have a band. Why one church I attended ONE time, played worship choruses SO LOUD that it hurt my ears. They essentially had a group of young people who sounded like a rock band. I didn’t even make it through the worship service. I should say at this point that I have no problem with Christian rock music or some secular rock music for that matter, but what they presented was a bit much. When you have the entire group encased in sound deadening Plexiglas, you might be overdoing it a tad. Just a thought …
Where is Jesus in all this? Some churches have no place for divorced people in their churches, as if it were the unpardonable sin. Divorce isn’t God perfect plan for couples, but Jesus doesn’t shun them or turn them away. Folks that are bruised and battered are not given an ear when they need to be heard, but rather told it is not the right time or place and they should make an appointment. What has happened to the church of today? When mercy is routinely not shown to those who need it most and healing has not occurred because, according to an elder in the church, the sick individual didn’t have enough faith. Really. How much was required for that woman’s cancer to be healed? Perhaps in the grand scheme of things she was to go be with the Lord at that time? Once in heaven she would no longer be sick … now THAT is what I would call a healing. But as a result of the elder’s callous statement, which he stood in the midst of the congregation and shouted out, the widowed husband and his children, who had been charter members of that church, never darkened the door of the assembly again.
Jesus shows compassion for the people all around Him. We fail to even notice them. We say we want to be more like Jesus, yet look the other way because of a persons’ appearance. What is wrong with us? Why are we so prideful and spiritually arrogant? Why do we think everything we do IN THE NAME OF THE LORD is so righteous? And frankly, I may be the worst of the lot. I constantly miss opportunities to share my faith. God understands and wishes to embolden us … that is what the Holy Spirit’s indwelling is supposed to be for among other things.
Lord forgive us all for our misguided efforts and help us to truly act each day the way YOU would have us act. The church is just a building … a meeting place. WE are the church. I maintain that even though I encourage church attendance and understand scriptures’ call to not forsake it, going to church doesn’t make you a good Christian and it doesn’t secure your place in heaven. Your personal relationship with Christ does. We all (me included) need to treat church as what it is and branch out on our own to BE God’s hand extended. Lord help us all to truly see others the way YOU see them and act as YOU would have us act, in spite of what the elders say or the pastor says or your brothers and sisters say. Because when we stand before our Lord on Judgment Day, no one will be standing there with us. It is what WE did for Christ.
WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!
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