Come quickly, Lord Jesus
I've been a Christian a little over 14 years now. In that time I've known very little peace in church life. That fact has forced me to think hard on some things. I can't help but wonder what's wrong in our churches...or is it me?..well it's a cinch that for any of us, there's always work to be done in us, but I still struggle to understand why it is that our churches always seem to have so much turmoil and strife. In my experience, it seems to flare up on an average of every 3 years or so. The reasons for the strife vary...but regardless of what the reasons are it always seems to have the same result..offenses taken, offenses given...angry words, bitterness, cynicism, then scattering.
Grant it, not all conflict is without just cause...sometimes it springs from a need for purification...but for me it's become quite depressing...just judging from my own experiences, strife seems to be the norm. I keep thinking there's got to be something better, or at least not as bad, but I can find no answers. I keep trying to push forward, but for this weary sojourner, the pounding footsteps and cold, stale breath of cynicism threatens to overtake me....come quickly, Lord Jesus.
posted by allofgrace @ 7:05 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
AOG,
I pray God's insight and peace for you this morning. My grandmother often told me to "keep my eyes on Jesus" not man. It is difficult but as we love God with all our heart and love each other with His love, standing on His promises and waiting for Him become easier. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, ..... The fruit is amazing and only comes from Him. Allow Him to flow through you, to test you and find you faithful. Run to Him. Stay with Him. His is amazing and faithful.
your brother,
Andrew
I journeyed the same road you are on. I have been a Christian for 41 years and it has been the same. Though there will be no "heaven" on this side, it should be different.
I have pastored and been on staff at small and large churches. I have come to the conclusion (here I get blasted because people won't try to listen to what I am really saying) that there is something inherently and systemically wrong with what the "institutional", organized church has become, especially in the western world.
The Body of Christ seems to me to have to be relational. When it becomes more institutional than relational then it has issues that arise such as you mention and then they aren't handled scripturally and in a healthy way. Why? Because the institution is more concerned with appearance and self-sustaining than with honest, sometimes gritty transparency. No group can remain strong without healthy relationships and accountability (not checking up on you kind of accountability, but, I really love you and am here to live life with you kind of accountability)
I finally left the typical institutional structure that calls itself "church" and entered into true koinonia with a group of folks who are living out becoming "one as You and I are One" kind of life. Where we had "refrigerator rights" with each other. And, most importantly, where we were trying through His grace to be Jesus' hands and feet - his literal body on earth - to each other and to those who needed to know Him.
I can share so many times with you when my family had crises and the Body responded, when my world was coming apart and I would come home and they would be in my living room floor there in Bartlett on their faces crying out to God. I can tell you times when the enemy's attacks against my family and children were raging of waking in the middle of the night and looking out and seeing members of the Christ's body on earth sitting in my driveway interceding over my family.
This has become church. My family and I no longer "go to church". We are a part of the church. Even while I am here in Thailand, some of the folks call me almost everyday. I am still in relationship with them. This is church.
So, when offenses come (and they will), we deal with them. Conflict isn't bad - how we handle it often is. And, unfortunately, the "institutional" church has failed in shepherding its "members" in seeing how living as His Body - one as HE and the FAther are one - is the church.
The final blow came for me while I was on staff at a large church there in the Memphis area until 2005 when, I looked at a 15 million dollar building and another "church" being built literally across the street for another 20 million or so and I realized I wondered deep in my heart if this is truly what Jesus was crucified to produce. NOt that good things don't happen in those buildings - I know they do. But, can we justify 35 million dollars of Jesus' kingdom money being used to build a place for a God who does not dwell in temples built by the hands of men. I resigned my position without anywhere else to go, went to the gulf coast and worked in Katrina disaster relief until I was offered this position with this organization in Thailand
Well, you can see I am very passionate about this. I am not against anyone or anything, but I believe we have to have a kingdom revolution if we are going to really be Christ's Body on earth as the church is to be. And it is relationally built - first with and in Jesus and then with each other - blood-bought, redeeemed, Spirit-filled, Bible-believing radicals.
Sorry for this being so long. But, I know what you are experiencing and wuoldn't be surprised if somehow a year or maybe less, you don't find somewhere with some folks what I have found in becoming the church. There is a great tide of unrest just underneath the surface of people who are finding this reality. Barna has written of it, and the movement is of God and it won't be stopped.
I truly believe one day the "institutional" church as we have known it all our lives in the western world will be totally obsolete - with its mega-buildings, mega-staff, mega-programs, mega-budgets, and people will be living out being His presence, power and purpose on earth as Jesus intended.
Sorry again. I'm through.
Blessings to you, my brother. Maybe when I return to the States later this year for furlough, I can share a cup of coffee and a moment of fellowship with you.
andrew,
Thanks for your prayers and concern..and for the encouragement. Blessings.
Kingdom,
Thanks for sharing, and for understanding..you may be right...the time may come when I have to look elsewhere to find that. Blessings to you as well.
Gentlemen,
Relieved I am to find that I am not alone in my discernment of where the modern day "church" is going. I don't think it is far-fetched to say, slowly but surely the true church is being forced underground. My understanding on that is that we are no better than the disciples who continued on in spite of the persecution.
A family member said they did not believe the church of today is persecuted, or that there were martyrs for Christ sake. I am involved with a site www.persecution.com who "serving with the persecuted church, the mission works in over 50 countries through its' own International Christian Association of mission offices." This organization was founded by Rev. Richard Wurmbrand who was persecuted in Romanian prisons for 14 years. His book Tortured for Christ will have all of us sit up and take notice of the possible future for us all, as the Bible clearly states... 2 Ti 3:11-12 "...persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." NKJV
It appears to me that Christ is calling the true church to come apart and be separate unto Him because we will need the love and support that our friend kingdomrevolution is speaking of by the Spirit of God, for the days are very evil as we well know. Certainly, organized religion hasn't met the needs of many who have fallen by the wayside being wounded and beaten waiting for the Good Samaritan to come by and bind his wounds. It has been said by Christians, that "the church are the only ones who kill their wounded. God forbid it is the true church of Jesus Christ guilty of such neglect. "God bless you all and pray that our Lord will lead us all into His perfect will.
Post a Comment
<< Home