CAUTION: venting and ranting follows…

If I hear another Christian whine about church doing nothing for them I just might go postal.

Maybe it’s my fault. I’ve spent my life telling kids about God’s love for them. I’ve tried to get them to understand how He doesn’t bail on them, drop them or ditch them. I guess a lot of them still don’t get it. They drop church like a hot rock.

Some of them say they want better music and then, in the next breath, complain about their church spending bucks on comfort stuff while people are starving. They’re mad that the pie isn’t divided the way Jesus would divide it. He’d definitely shell out 20 grand for sweet subwoofers, right? Geez Louise!

They tell me Christians are supposed to be loving and accepting. But the little old lady who tells them they shouldn’t wear jeans ticks them off. They are so sick of people like her! She’s so stupid. So they start a little righteous hate parade rather than just love her. Geez Louise, again!

Where did we get this idea that church is about us and not about God? I don’t ever remember teaching that series.

This super spiritual bunch is all about Jesus. “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.” I’m guessing they really aren’t all that pumped about that dusty old book that is His word. It says a lot about meeting together, loving each other, encouraging others and shaking off the harsh words that come. It says a lot about edifying the body. It doesn’t tell them to bail, that’s for sure.

“I get nothing out of church.”

Excuse me? Who gave you the idea that this group of people exists to make you feel all warm and toasty?

I get bored in church too. Yeah, it takes everything I have to get stuff out of some sermons. Institutional, corporate style churches bug me. But, ya know what? The Bible says this group of people is important and I shouldn’t give up on them. It says it’s important to study God’s Word and know it. It says I am part of a family. So, I’m not gonna bail.

I’m glad God doesn’t look at us and say, “I really get nothing out of this relationship so I’m done. You’re wasting my time. I’m outta here.”

He’s got every right to bail on us. But us, bail on Him? We’ve got no case.

Are you leaving your church to find another? If you really must, okay. Are you giving up on church entirely? Please don’t.

We need each other. Find your family.

Hebrews 10:24-25
Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. (MSG)