I don't like the politics of church. I don't like most of the fellowship (read: people getting together to gossip and be overly dramatic about everything while being highly critical of those outside their circle). I don't like the judgment and stereotyping: how the inside is high and mighty, their wrongs are okay (sure when they realize they're wrong they can ask and be forgiven, but so can anyone who is sincere) while everything outside is basically evil. Yes, the "outside" stereotypes the inside as well, but is the inside doing anything to break that trend and mold? From my perspective, ("on the fringes" maybe) the inside strengthens that negative stereotype in 85% of their interactions with the "outside."
This is only part of it, but I believe that too often the people of the church forget that they're in the world, there's other people out there and they matter to God just as much as you do. They matter even more, remember the parable of the lost sheep?
Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
But instead of creating community with others, people of the church create an insiders clique.
Jesus made friends with sinners, people who were not part of the church circle.
Mark 2:13And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. 14And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. 15And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
For me, while I'm "in the church," I'm also in the world, which isn't all bad, after all it's the world that God created for me to be in for a time and I have a purpose here. I am not of the world, but I'm also not of the church, I'm trying my best to be of God.
For now, I think watching church on TV may be my best choice.
This is mainly my problem with the church too. I also see it as too political and judgmental. I came this conclusion after a long time of being in a church that from the outside looking in now was absolutely bad to be in. Too perfectionist and just not good at all. Plus, that church had some other issues (personal) that is related as to why I just quit wholesale on the Church in general. Like you, I love God and I believe, but I just can't take it, the human-ness (I made that up) of it all. Plus, you are right to say you live in the world. It is something that can't be ignored. I would like to go back to church and I do somewhat enjoy going, but I just can't. I can't take the people, the culture (especially that and growing up in it was SO lame) or the semi-backwardness of the thinking. The B/W world doesn't exist. I am happy to say that I absolutely am glad to be in the world too, otherwise how could relate to it. I have friends that are of all other religions and one of my best friends is an atheist. How could I say that if I were to wall myself off in the 'comfort' of the church? I can't! I don't embrace that. Also, thanks for writing this post, it is something that (obviously) has been on my mind for a long time.
ReplyDeletethe problem I have with the church is how unfriendly it is, i've tried hard to make new friends in this new city of mine, and I thought the church would be a good source, not so. No friends in the church, no friends out of the church due to preconceived notions about christians and that's that.
ReplyDeletehow can we fix this?
ReplyDeleteHi Jesse, I think it's important to accept new comers (and not so often comers) as friends, not as someone who is on a lower level because they aren't "in the church" or maybe they are, but they're not members of your church. Inviting them to activities outside of services is important, but you have to genuinely want to be their friend, and not see them as an outreach project.
ReplyDeleteAs for the gossiping aspect of church fellowship, this is a little harder. People want to bash it, but then do it themselves. The preacher will even speak about it, but right after service it's happening still. I've known maybe two girls from the church I grew up in who absolutely refused to gossip and that's awesome; however, people like them need to stand up against gossip more. If someone is gossiping around me or to me, I usually try to change the subject. If it were to go on it's a good idea to say something to let them know I'm not comfortable, if necessary I'll leave the room and make sure they know why. (This is not to say I've never been guilty of gossip, I'm not perfect by any means).