Today I read a fairly heated conversation about church and politics.
In short person “a” said they didn’t go to church anymore because they were tired of hearing the same things over and over again about government, homosexuality and more. Person ‘b” said that instead of complaining about this they should get involved in a church and be the change they wanted to see instead of sitting on the side lines blaming people.
To both of them I say, “I agree”
I can’t tell you how many times growing up and even to this day that I have sat in a church and heard something said that makes me cringe. I have left these churches at times not knowing how that was important to the text, how it lined up with Jesus or why it was even important to mention. The pastor had wasted his time tell us his opinion and not words of scripture. In these times I thank God that he saved me and changed my heart because if not I would have probably left the church.
This however is where I can relate to person “b”. I love the church. I love her people and her pastors even in all of our mess. I want to see the Holy Spirit capture peoples hearts in such a powerful way that they can’t help but follow Jesus and change their communities (church and social) because of what he has done in them.
To run away from the church because of something crazy that is said is like disowning your family because of your crazy uncle. Are you going to hang out with him all the time, probably not. However this does not mean that you disown the whole family over one dude that thinks that the government wants his liver.
You can complain about the church if your doing it in a loving way and our yourself seeking to be an active member in it. If your pastor only speaks his opinon and doesn’t preach the word, leave as fast as you can. Find a church that loves Jesus and the Bible, but don’t just stand on the side lines lobbing hate into her and telling her she needs to be better. Would you want people insulting your spouse? Jesus doesn’t like it either.
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
Ephesians 5:23
Pastor Mike Moore 