Teh Chad

Church and the term “Christian” have really left a bad taste in my mouth.  I’m just guessing that I’m not the only one here too.

I’ve grown up around churches and religion.  And I’ve never felt at home in a church until recently.

The first bad experience I had happened when I was pretty young (~12 years old).  A couple of the elders in the church spoke about parts of the Bible being untrue, but they didn’t say why.  They didn’t even try to research it nor justify it.  Wow, okay, so you don’t even believe what you are trying to teach?  I guess we should part ways.  This is hypocrisy.

The most recent event occurred a few months ago.  One of the pastors of a local church was harassing a couple of members for “not being remorseful enough.”  This is being judgmental.

Last night, the senior pastor of my church spoke about the state of the local church (speaking of all local churches, not just Vineyard).  He spoke of a great analogy that made sense for me.

The church is a family.  I know that for most people, their family is THE most important thing in their life.  This is a great thing and I totally agree with it.  However, when it comes to a person’s church family, we don’t always see it like this.  I’ve grown to detest what the church has done to the term “Christian.”  They talk about how we’re all supposed to be the “perfect” human in our actions and yet they are so down on their own with their words and actions.

I’ve all but dropped them in turn for the title “lover of Jesus” and just walked away from church.  However, this isn’t right either.  I love my brother.  Josh has made mistakes, but he’s doing what he can.  I should be more than just that.  I should love all of my brothers in the church as well.  They are my brothers too.  And, though, they might be on the short bus everyday with their decisions, I should still love them as I do Josh.

I believe that keeping this mindset, as they are simply siblings, it might be a bit easier to accept them.  I know it shouldn’t be, but it’s hard.