So I perhaps came off a bit harsh on the last post regarding the church's handling of itself. I truly love the church and her people. I know that they do a lot of good but it can be better. It is the potential that I see in the church that is burning me. I think it is disappointment that I am feeling and maybe something else.
Since we moved to Prescott Valley we have yet to find anyone that is contemplating organized church. Here it either you are a non-believer or attending a church and there is no ground for any others (us mainly). I suppose that small towns are known for such characteristics and that does make them attractive to those from a busy metropolitan area. To put it bluntly, we were spoiled in Las Vegas. We are now on the edge of loneliness and I think it might compel me to start attending local bars (some go to Starbucks I go to taverns – if you are gona drop $4 on a beverage you might as well get the most buzz for the buck). I am comfortable there and the conversations that transpire are usually very deep.
On a side note, the visit by one family member to a church pissed me off.........a lot. Xbox stations, Starbucks, a weekly budget of $80k and an annual budget of $16,000 for Krispy Kreme – praise God!!!!
At what point do we put into action that which we believe to be true?
When is it time that we stop attempting to convince those who already are in the church to see the truth and start doing something so daring that it would be reminiscent of Martin Luther's letters pined to the church's door?
I must admit that I am in torment over the typical western church's approach in every side of the Christian faith. The church needs reformation. I see most followers today blatantly ashamed of the term Christian. Even those who do not believe seemed annoyed at the direction of the church today. Jesus will always be fascinating to many but it is odd that His followers hardly bare His radical profile. The church has very little power – that which we boast about to many, it's fingers run deep into politics and most business could only hope to have a budget the size of a small church. What part, when following a homeless Savior, do you believe in when you break ground on a $4 million building? Does “the eye of a needle” mean anything to you or did your pastor attempt to explain that one away? The church is to bring the good news to all and yet it is more content on making sure it supplies the freshest brewed coffee to its members so that they may return the next week. Money rules the western church today. She is creating followers, those that return regularly, instead of disciples who GO and boldly proclaim the truth never fearing the outcome. I see her followers content on being quiet and pay to hear someone else teach rather than being courageous enough to teach a coworker. What we believe is radical and fascinating to many. What we do is moderate and boring to all. I believe what Jesus said and I believe in the works that He and the apostles performed – when is it time to stand up and proclaim it?
