I wrote an article recently and I ended up pretty discouraged as a result. My intended audience was people like myself: those who follow Christ. The response to the article only confirmed for me what I was intending to expose. In general, Christians have become complacent and comfortable with life the way it is.
Christians are seeing the world as right/wrong, heaven/hell, black/white, and pharisee/disciple.
The way we do things at my church is right.
The songs we sing at my church are right.
The way we dress at my church is right.
The Bible we use at my church is the right one.
How selfish and self-centered can we be? Why is it so hard for a Christian to accept criticism? Or change, for that matter? Why have we become so complacent and content where we are that suggesting anything radical (like Jesus, perhaps?) would cause a stir?
Satan has certainly put me under a fair amount of attack since I posted the original article. I even began questioning whether or not what I had written was really something that God had laid on my heart. I began to think that if the nonChristian crowd enjoyed it so much, then maybe the ideas I presented were wrong and not from God.
But that’s just silly. God has been dealing with me and this issue for quite some time. And while I certainly acknowledge that I don’t know everything and that I am not perfect, I know that there is definite truth behind my words. There is a problem with mainstream Christianity today. And those of us who see it aren’t using our voice to deal with it. And not speaking up is the same as condoning it.
I refuse to do that any longer. I used to ask how one lone voice can make a difference. I still have the question, but at least I’m trying to use my voice to find the answer to that question.
Where’s your voice?
Amanda, I want to first say that I agree that we need to do something about the hypocrasy in the church. There is a lot of it. But there are few things you said that I can’t agree with.
First, you gave generalized statements about the church. Most Christians that truly are Christians are not the “live for Him on Sunday then live for sin the rest of the week” crowd. Most of the others that say they are Christians in actuality just hold the title, which hurts us as a whole.
Second, you ask us to raise our voice and let it be heard that we are not like that. I completely agree but isn’t the best way to show that we are not that way to share true Christian love with non-believers?
What would you have us do to stop those that say they are Christians but go out and belittle others, cuss, steal, cheat, and destroy? What platform can we take that would do any better than whats being done right now?
You see, you are not alone, Amanda. There are many Christians that are raising their voices above the minimal need to show God’s love. When talking with non-Christians about God I try never to bash their beliefs and I do my best to share what the Bible says with a spirit of love. I, you and multitudes of others share God’s love through our blogging and always refrain from spreading hate. I would name names of the ones I support on the national front that are working to share the Gospel without spreading hate but because they too have flaws (which are much more visible due to the lime light)doing so would bring on comments pointing out their “many” flaws rather than showing all the loving Christian things they are doing to put right the idea of Christianity.
And don’t forget that even those that are not in the lime light but are still truly Christians, and not being hypocritical by nature, screw up from time to time – that includes you and me! We still make mistakes and are considered hypocritical just because of them. Thank God for his grace and mercy on us!
Let it not be said of me that I am closed minded, though. I really do think that if there is something more I can do to change the image of the church in the eyes of non-Christians I’m willing to do it. So, please tell me those specific things you want to address and what you think we should be doing to make a difference.
In love and blessing,
Chris
Amanda,
Remember you are not alone in talking about these concerns. One of the things that has brought hope to my heart is the number of people I have stumbled upon who have the very same concerns.
Here is a post I have recently written about following Jesus example of influence. We are not responsible for bring about change, all we can do is hope to influence other people so they might be put into a position to choose to change.
Amanda, I would hate to think that I am one of the voices that discouraged you with two comments. That certainly is not my intent. You know that I admire your seeking spirit and your willingness to open yourself to uncomfortable discussion. And I am sorry if you did not receive enough encouragement from Christians who you hoped would read the post and recognize that they need to be involved in a change you are proposing. But that cannot dissuade you from changing what you think needs to be changed about some Christian behavior.
God may indeed have laid it on your heart, but He often sends us through fire to refine us, correct? If this His will, you cannot turn from it because some response made you uncomfortable. Evaluate all the response, separate valid from non, and pursue your goal. And examine how the message is delivered.
I cannot promise to stop pointing out what I see as generalizations or inaccuracies, unless you ban me from your site, but I don’t see you doing that.
If you are passionate about this, push on with it!
I read your original post, and agreed, but didn’t have much time and didn’t have much to say. I think perhaps what you wrote reflects PART of the Christian world.. I see you’re in Colorado in the USA. We lived in Colorado Springs for two years, and were staggered at the vast number of denominations there, each of them convinced they were really the right ones and the others dubious (at best), perhaps even downright heretical. As Brits, we simply weren’t used to such black-or-white views. We err in the opposite direciton, seeing almost everything as shades of grey, which means we’re good at not judging other Christians, on the whole, and doing inter-church stuff happily. But of course it means we’re also reluctant to speak out against real injustices and sin. We just let things go.
So I’m not sure if what you’re describing is a US phenomenon, or something peculiarly Colorado-ish. Whatever it is, it makes no sense to me. We’re all part of the Body, we all have our roles to play, and if we choose different styles of worship, or dress, or lifestyle, then great – it’s all part of the wonderful tapestry of the church worldwide.
Which is all to say that I agree with your first post, but thought most of the comments were actually pretty encouraging and positive.
that article you wrote was perfect just the way it was. (PS Sorry for my disappearance… I explained it in my blog… work work work) But your article reached farther and wider than you think. While it may not have reached as many brothers and sisters the way you originally intended, it did open the eyes of many nonbelievers who came to realize that there ARE Christians out there who don’t just and condemn but simply follow Christ’s example and love.
Thanks, Carmel. I missed you! Good to have you back. And thanks for the encouragement. I realize that when I wrote this post I was feeling kind of sorry for myself. I allowed Satan to get in the way. It happens, and I’ve been able to move on. I’ve been able to see some of the effects of the article and it’s follow up, but I’m sure there are many more that I can’t see.
Amanda,
As you’ve recently visited my blog, I’m sure you know I am like minded.
I’m adding your blog to my google start page and look forward to reading more of your thoughts in the future.
I just read your original article and this more recent one, and I have to say I wholeheartedly agree with what you said. I will come back and add more later when I have a little more time. Right now, I’m running out the door…