Five Reasons We Don't Like Church!!!

I recently had several great conversations regarding Church and even had quite a little paradigm shift of my own occur in the process. This...in addition to now being on staff full time at a small country Baptist church in Ocilla...is what brings us to this topic.

First...allow me to give you a brief history on me and church: I was born and raised Methodist...but we were like most families in America in that we went (I say I got dragged) every Sunday...but that was the only day we heard, spoke, or even prayed really. I think my parents went through some religious phases...but never strong enough for it to bleed through to the family as a whole. So we were, in effect, Sunday Christians. The church was a decent family unit. They cared for everyone inside the four walls and everyone shook hands and played nice, but I personally don't recall ever feeling that there was any unity or love there. It was stuffy...cold...rigid...boring. Of course...these are my impressions and I am sure that plenty of people felt the opposite. But...

As a result, when I became a teen, I started turning away from church. As I developed into my twenties...without Jesus in my life, I formed aggressive opinions on how the church was useless and more of a mind control of the masses. By my thirties, I had written off Christianity and certainly the church...let me rephrase: I could tolerate Christians but I was vehemently opposed to church of any kind.

Once I got saved about a year ago...I still had no need for a church, but felt like I could go if I could find the right man (preacher) to follow!! So I started shopping...and shopping...and shopping. I got a great sampler of quite a few churches and denominations, but could not find a preacher I liked!! Then I walked in Holt Baptist and BAM!!! Love swarmed over me like nothing I had ever experienced!! The people generally cared and loved me...and they had just met me!! It was very bizarre and freaked me out. Since that time, I have come to understand the importance of Church (notice the big "C" now). As I explained to a young lady the other evening: "You know how you felt after being saved...and how you wish you could've been feeling that way all along?? Well...when you find the right Church, you'll experience the exact same feeling...it'll be like WOW!!! I've been missing out!!"

Okay...on to the list:

1 - Church is FULL of hypocrites!!! As Zig Ziglar says "Well come on...we got room for one more!!"

It's true...Church IS full of hypocrites!! But...let's look closely...There definitely ARE those that stand up and speak out against sexually immorality and then run home and jump on the internet to browse porn. That is a true definition of hypocrite. But I am honestly finding that to be the exception...not the norm. The real problem is how the outside world defines Christians. You see...most people hear that you are a Christian and assume that you are now perfect...which is outlandish!! That's like hearing a 400lb friend has joined a gym and expecting him to be 180lbs and ripped when you see him next week!!

So when people see Christians messing up, they immediately say "Freaking Hypocrites!!"...but it's not their fault....it's OURS!! You see...for too long, the system (church) has stood silent on the fact that we are ALL SINNERS...and that as Christians we strive for perfection with the understanding that we will always...ALWAYS and FOREVER...fall short of that goal and the glory of God!!

Imagine if preachers everywhere started standing up and saying "Wow...I am seriously screwed up!! I sin every day!!". You think that's a crazy thought?? Paul did it...repeatedly!! Is your preacher on Paul's level?? So what makes him better?? The more we inform the outside world that we are imperfect...the sooner the argument of "I don't go to Church cause they are all full of hypocrites" will go away.

2 - Church people are judgemental...And...the Bible says not to judge so also see #1!!

Again we are faced with two issues: Christians misbehaving...and people outside the Church having a distorted view. You see...There definitely are Christians who adopt the "holier than thou" mentality and wield the Bible like a Golden Spatula in Bikini Bottom!! But really...who cares!! That's really no different than you thinking New Orleans is a great city or that cats are not from the devil!! (**both are severely incorrect and the Bible says so!!). But seriously...who cares if a handful of people disagree with you?? I challenge you to go and join any other large group on the planet and not have at least a few people that disagree!! Church ain't no different!!

As for the outside...We live in a judgemental society...as a matter of fact...we are a judgemental species and always have been!! Laws are nothing more than judgements. Your internal "Right and Wrong Meter" is essentially judgement. Let's face it...we judge people ALL of the time!! Murderers are judged and considered unfit for society...as are pedophiles and rapists. No one has an issue with THOSE judgements...lol.

We tend to use the "Judgemental Card" when sin in our own life is being exposed. It's tough...take it from a guy who deals with it weekly!! LOL...but the fact is that Christians have a divinely inspired book of history, prophecy, rules, and commandments that guide us. There are some things that are debatable (Did Noah inspect every creature to see male/female and how did he know on frogs?) and there are others that are set in stone (like the Ten Commandments....literally). But the point is that we have a clear understanding through the Word of what sin is AND we are called to destroy it in our personal lives and help others do the same...through love.

If you are homosexual and walk into any of the Churches I visited on my shopping spree, I promise you that you would be greeted with absolute open arms and invited to PLEASE come back!! These people judged you and said "He's homosexual...and seeking God." Does the Church, as a loving body of Christ have an obligation to approach you eventually and discuss homosexuality with you?? YES!! They are mandated by God to do so...If it's done in LOVE and you still have an issue with it...then that's on you. By the way...if Homosexuallity is a touchy subject, then insert Liar, Thief, Drunkard, Idolator, Adulterer, or a multitude of other sins in there and they'll work just as well...it's all the same in God's eyes anyway...

Now...Churches...Jesus said "Be careful HOW you judge...because you will be judged the same way by your Heavenly Father." He also said that we should not judge people hypocritically...in other words...if you have a problem with anger...you probably are not the right person (biblically) to approach another brother about his anger issues!! Also...Since this is our Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, we MUST hold each other to the highest standards when it comes to dealing with sensitive issues! Love, Love, Love!!

3 - Church is BORING!!! Stop being lazy and go find you a Church that fits your style!! Look...I decided that I would consider any church as long as two things were solid: 1) They preach from the Bible!! 2) They believe in The Gospel (Christ crucified and resurrected). As long as those two requirements are met, it's a solid church in my opinion...so find one with the flair you enjoy!!

4 - The Church just wants my money!!! Here's the deal: God said we are to tithe 10%...So unless they're standing at the pulpit screaming "You need to give ten to forgive your sin!!"....or..."Write us a check or your life will be a wreck!!"...then I'd say they are just doing what God has told them to do as good shepherds and that is to ask the flock to follow Jesus. Now...if you disagree with God...that's tween y'all.

5 - Sunday is my day off and I like sleeping in!!! Well...first off...there are many Churches that offer later services. Find one!! If there's not one in your area, then sleep in...but just remember that Christ HUNG ON A FREAKING CROSS NAKED AND BLEEDING SO THAT OUR HEATHEN SELVES COULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND ETERNITY IN HEAVEN WITH HIM...I think the least you could do is get up at 10am on Sunday and go worship Him once a week.

Look...the bottom line is that you DO NOT have to go to Church to get to Heaven or even be a Christian!! No where in the Bible does it state that (so far as I have seen...lol). BUT...trust me when I tell you that finding the Church that God has for you...and experiencing the awesome worship and fellowship along the way...is SO incredibly worth it!!!

** New Orleans nor Cats are mentioned as evil in the Bible...the author was joking!!

"Love your neighbor as yourself." -Jesus