Church critics

Warning - Do not read any further if you are easily offended. This is a vent.

I've been thinking a lot lately about critics and criticism of the church. I read this morning about some college basketball teams that were not going to watch or read any sports news for the time being - because of all that's being said about Selection Sunday (for the NCAA tournament). They said they just need to "go out and play and not worry about what people are saying." I think that's what I need to do as a pastor. No offense to anyone, but honestly, I just can't read anymore books, articles, or posts about what pastors need to do, don't need to do, how the church is wrong, and on and on and on. It seems everybody's a critic and everybody knows what church leaders should do... except the church leaders. I'm certainly not trying to say pastors/church leaders know everything - most of them will be the first to admit it - but it's not like we get up every morning trying to figure out how we can ruin people's lives either.

One statement that has always stuck with me was made by someone who had left our church (and a whole string of churches before ours). Jane and I went to visit them to try to find out what was wrong (since they'd said nothing to US about any displeasure), and the wife says, "We're leaving because you just don't care about all the wonderful people at that church." [think about that for a moment]. Um, so, if I understand correctly, they ARE leaving this community because they DO care about them? I mean, if I didn't care about the people in my church I would have left a LONGGGGG time ago. My personal opinion is - these people were leaving because the church leaders told this woman "no" about something and she was going to prove to everyone that no one tells her "no" and gets away with it. It had nothing to do with caring about anybody but herself!

I certainly can't speak for any other pastors out there (well, I can speak for some, because I know them), but I don't know of too many that do what they do for the money, or the prestige, or the benefits. Sure, pastors and priests used to be respected individuals, but nowadays they rank right up there with used car salesmen. And whether they should or shouldn't isn't the issue. Just don't go thinkin it's some kind of ego booster because it's not. I know how people avoid us, how people don't want to make eye contact, don't want to make commitments, don't want to get "too close" because, you know, they don't want the pastor to use them or they know it won't last because pastors are never kept around too long.

Sometimes the most hurtful thing a person can do is take a step away. And while we are supposed to be the most caring people in the world, we're not supposed to let that bother us??

Sure, there are problems in the church. And, yes, pastors share the blame. But not all of it. One thing I just do not understand is how people don't see their actions as making any difference to anyone else. I hadn't really thought about it, but I had someone in my church come to me once and, they were kind of down, and it was because they didn't understand why a few of our older people refused to become members of the church. These people had attended faithfully for years, but they just didn't want to "sign on the dotted line." I shared with this person some of the excuses I had heard, and they said, "But don't they know how that makes the rest of us feel. It's not just that they're not making a commitment, it's that they are rejecting us." And I think that's true.

Everybody wants certain people to be committed to them. We want to know there's someone who will be there for us if we need them; that there's someone we can count on; that no matter what we do these people will forgive us, and accept us, and love us. The problem is... so many people aren't willing to do that for others. I think that could be filed under: "self-centered." It's like people want the church to be something that they don't want to be themselves. And what they fail to realize is that if they aren't willing to be that way, then it isn't going to happen. Because the church isn't an organization; it isn't a leadership council; it is THE people... it is them. It is imperfect, sinful, wanting to do better, hoping, seeking, trying, falling, getting up again, asking for forgiveness, bestowing forgiveness, fighting, surrendering, loving, grace-filled, needful. It is people who need Jesus. Who can admit it; who can embrace it; who aren't afraid to say it.

I don't know... Is there any hope? Personally I don't think we could kill it if we tried. But we're sure giving it a good run for our money. Help us, Jesus. Help us all.