Can We Please STOP!

“We’re not about religion. Religion sucks. … And this is not your mom’s or grandma’s church.”

So ended the comment from a “pastor” after an opening service at yet another new “relevant”, “hip”, “post-modern” church. (add your own adjective). CAN WE PLEASE STOP THIS JUNK? Why is it that on the day that we set aside to recognize Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world that I have to read about yet another church that’s wiping away the sins of the old….Here’s another comment:

“If you’re looking for a comfortable place to celebrate Easter, been
wounded by old-school church and are looking for something new, or just
curious what this new, modern church movement is actually all about,
come see us.”

Mind you, I consider myself part of what many would call the “modern” church movement. (Though I eschew labels) I do not, however, consider myself separate from the historic church of Jesus Christ. It may have many different flavors, it may have many different ways of “form” as far as church goes, but the “function” of the church never should change. Why people feel free to continually knock the older churches is beyond me. Are there problems with some in the older churches hanging on to power, trying to keep a 1950’s vibe going, and refusing to consider different styles? Surely but there are just as many problems in the hip, new “modern” church. Just ask the guys planting them that really have their hearts in the right place.

I am in a situation where our church meets in a school. We are looking at investing some money in a 24/7 location but where some of these other groups get the millions they do to found new churches is beyond me. I started with a handful of families and we’ve grown by about double in the short time I’ve been here. Nothing like the stories of 400 attending on opening night at some of these other venues but I really don’t care about any of that now. After experiencing and reading about some of the selfishness that goes on in people’s hearts regarding church, I’m reminded of the words Paul wrote to Timothy…

You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that. They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by many desires. Such women are forever following new teachings, but they never understand the truth. And these teachers fight the truth just as Jannes and Jambres fought against Moses. Their minds are depraved, and their faith is counterfeit. But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as happened with Jannes and Jambres. (2 Timothy 3:1-9 NLT)

You might say I’m being harsh but isn’t what I’m reading slanderous? Ripping some other person’s choice of a house of worship and talking about the wounded makes me sick. There are plenty of people who get wounded in the “new” church too but by people who wish to make no claims of piety so they think that clears them from any judgment. Even worse are those who feel “called” to pastor but yet, can’t find a church who will hire them so they go off and start something new because they are too “forward thinking” for the old crowd. (sarcasm intended). Then, they preach to unsuspecting, “wounded”, unchurched folks and spew their venom about the “old ways” while smiling! It happens all the time. If that’s not you, GREAT. But I’ve read enough of it over the past few days that I know it’s out there. That mindset will never truly succeed. Oh, they might gather a crowd, but God will not be there and his spirit will not guide the poor, desolate souls looking for a drink of water in a parched dry land.

After the last comment I posted in italics, I noted a message that had been left of this person’s blog by a visitor. I think it sums up the situation perfectly…

“…if a particular congregation meets the needs of a particular individual
or family and changes their heart in the way that Christianity is
supposed to, I am not going to knock that particular church because of
its institutional structure.…Faith is personal, it probably should be kept in the
personal realm. Advertise for a particular church, but don’t knock the
church of others.”

Well stated.

May God bless you as you pause and reflect on Jesus’ willingness to go to the cross for your sins. Let us use Good Friday as it was intended. For our growth and not for tearing down someone else.