Preface Four Hundred and Twelve

A more skilled and cognitive writer could probably come up with a nice introduction and segue to the main point of some collected thoughts on the subject of "church, but the best I can muster today is to just jump right in:

And as I jump right in, I find my thoughts dealing with "church". Even as I type the word, I feel my body and spirit cringe. If we were to play the word association game and you said, "church", my initial response would be, "jaded". Then "apathy" would probably follow, and next would be, "hypocrites". "Painful" enters my mind as well as "hurt, neglect, betrayal, and ignorance."

Harsh words I must admit; but honest, none the less. Granted, this would not be the words I would associate with specific church bodies, because there are some wonderful "churches" that I have only kind memories of; places and people that have healed wounds inflicted by other people and places. There are some bodies of believers that truly are trying to seek the lost and help those who are most unfortunate. But as I have matured in Christ (not become mature, mind you) I have experiences that cause me to initially be jaded as to the word, "church". But enough about me...

...but what about you? What do you think of when you see me type, "church"? Do you think of a body of believers or a brick building with a steeple, a logo, and a cross? And if you do think of a building, do you see the facility as means to feed the hungry and shelter the needy? Is the building used to reach people who don't know God and need Jesus? Do you see the building full of angry teens, neglected children, drug-users, prostitutes, and the dregs of society or is is a grand building, mostly empty, used only on Sundays and Wednesday nights; with a couple of secretaries and a lone janitor walking the empty hallways?

And if you think past the building aspect and focus on the people, do you think of a body of believers that are trying to reach a dying world? Or do you see a handful of people concerned with by-laws and procedure? Do you see a handful of people who would rather keep the building clean and tidy, yet empty rather than dirty and used by wild children and cast-a-ways of society? After all, if you let just anyone into the church, it could get holes in the walls and dirt on the floors and then what would we do for our Sunday ceremony? Why, there would be no reason to wear a suit and a tie if the pews smelled of smoke and alcohol and the hallways were unkempt. How could we praise God in this mess? How can we pray for Sister Sally who has a bad cold? Or Brother Tom who has to drive fifty miles to pick up his grandchildren? Sister Joan had someone mistreat her at work this week and Brother Jack got diarrhea from the buffet after church Sunday; how can we pray for them if there is dirt on the floor? Did Jesus die so we could pray in filth? Of course we should worry about those dying with disease, unemployed, or starving, but we also have a duty to be concerned with our own, like Sister Sally or Brother Tom or Sister Joan. After all, they contribute to the potluck meals, help keep the building painted and the landscape clean, and rotate in helping the secretaries with the church bulletin. What kind of ministry would we have without them? We will pray about helping outsiders after our next business meeting...

Does that sound familiar to you? When is the last time that someone in your "church" felt the need to pray for the lost instead of those already saved? When is the last time that your "church" cried for the uncomforted instead of shedding crocodile tears for the already comfortable? What are the real needs in the community, even counting those who don't attend or tithe? When is the last time anyone wanted to open up the building to those less fortunate? Can you recall it ever being an issue? Has anyone even considered the building to be used to host those less fortunate; or do we only want clean, tithing, moderate, able bodied citizens in our church? Let someone else die for those who are undesirable, they can go to the "church" on the poor side of town, they are more accustomed to the dirt. Besides, the building will lose value if it is not kept in good condition, and we have fifteen years of mortgage payments left.

Hopefully that doesn't sound familiar to you, but it does to me. Ugly, yes. Embellished,just barely. Honest, absolutely...

...back to the word association; Maybe you look past the building and the congregation, and you see a preacher. I say, "church" and you say, "Pastor Joe", or ,"Reverend Smith" or ,"Brother John". What is your next reaction? Do you think of that leader of the congregation as Spirit led or University taught? Does this person want true peace, or the road of least resistance? Is it a merely a decent paying job for this person, or is it a calling? And do they show Godly leadership or are they just good at local politics? Does this person challenge believers to think outside of the box or do they teach that God only works in certain ways? Does leadership desire to make a difference in the community or just business as usual for the believers? Is it taught to reach out to the world and give hope and meet needs, or is it taught that it's acceptable to hide behind the walls on Sundays?

And maybe when the word, "church" is typed, you think of the day, Sunday. Church is for Sundays. Remember the Sabbath, keep it holy. But technically it says nothing about the rest of the week. I can put on church clothes and a church face and use some church jargon one day a week; after all Jesus did die for me. But I will be me the rest of the week. Except when it interferes with my job. Or my being popular around town. Or when I let my hair down on Saturday night, after all, I deserve it; I have worked hard and have many responsibilities...

I know these are harsh words. I admit that it is not something that I want to write about. But I feel it is something that I should write about. This probably isn't the best way to begin a new blog; especially one that is intended to be a daily devotional. I may have lost my targeted demographics right out of the gate. None the less, it is what it is; an attempt by an imperfect man to be obedient and be used to make a change in the community, then the world.

I hope my point has been made and more importantly understood. I know that my experience is not unique but that my perspective may be. I hope that whatever you take from this will not be the acerbic words but the heart behind them. I am not perfect and I do not for a minute want to pretend that I am blameless in areas of ministry or caring for the needy. I am just as self-absorbed and centered as any person on this planet. But I want to change; want to allow God to mold me into a useful vessel. I make no apologies for growing tired of spending forty minutes out of an hour praying for hang-nails and chest colds, and only 10 minutes on learning about God's word. I feel no remorse at feeling jaded that a family with a full cupboard and an overflowing refrigerator receives covered dishes when someone is sick or has a minor operation; while someone on the other side of town sends their kids to bed sick and hungry again because they don't have food or a job, much less health insurance. I am not sorry that I think "church" people should behave like the church who Jesus loves, seven days a week and twenty four hours a day. And that ministry doesn't take time off for hard work or good behavior.

So I make no apologies. And I'm only pessimistic because I am an optimist. I do hope this step on some toes, so to speak. But only so that a difference can be made in people's lives. I hope that this makes you uncomfortable when you read this, as it makes me as I type; but only so it will be a catalyst for real hope and change. I hope that this is pleasing to God and will further the Gospel. And I hope that it helps lead you who read this, to become who God wants you to become. I pray that this doesn't lead to self-righteous thoughts or any inclination that leads anyone to believe they have cornered the market on morality. I hope that this will encourage those who feel left behind by the church to get back on board and help make a difference.

Think about these words and then think about your "church". Then put those thoughts into action. Pray for God's guidance and listen for the Holy Spirit...Jesus died for nothing less.