I have chewed on it for a good part of the day, and just wanted to get some thoughts.
From a woman with a chronically ill child:
"I love God. I love Jesus. But I am not a supporter of organized religion because it is all screwed up. Be a supporter of Jesus and have a relationship with God, but take the church with a grain of salt. And don't rely on them when the chips are down in your life because 9 times out of 10, they aren't going to be "there" for you. That's what I have learned."
Many people afterward echoed the sentiment.
I certainly know of people that have felt this way in the past. The "big wigs" (ie. pastors, long standing members, people who generously tithe) get support in the form of meals, cards, and phone calls, but most members fall by the wayside.
Is this an area where most church's are lacking?
Have we become so focused on how "busy" we are that we become blind to the needs of our people? Is is one of the reasons people are leaving the church?
I know. Heavy blog post for a Tuesday night, but it has been on my mind all day.
9 comments:
I don't have to tell you how I feel on the subject. I do think that getting into a small group helps a lot with meeting each others needs. It is to bad that people feel that way in church it should be the place you can count on when you have a need.
Mom
LOL- I know, I immediately thought of you when I read this:-)
I agree- I think small groups help.
My thoughts are this... I do think we often miss the opportunity to meet the needs of people in our church. No church is perfect, and we are ALL sinners. I think many churches try very hard to help anyone in need. The bigger the church, the more difficult it can get to catch everyone with problems. We can always do a better job seeking out others within our church and trying to help. However, I want to say this too - and it is not in specific response to this woman losing her child - but for many in our society church is seen as a place to be filled up. It is a place to get what THEY need. If THEIR needs are not met, then they discount the church. I actually think this is backwards. If people thought church was a place to serve rather than meet THEIR needs two things would happen. People in need wouldn't be overlooked, and if per chance they did get overlooked... they would be too busy serving someone else to have a pity party for themselves.
Just my thoughts :)
Thanks for your thoughts. I agree with you that too many people come to church and expect the church to fill them. I am re-reading The Purpose Driven Life and working through the "service" chapters right now, actually.
More members serving = more people serviced. Makes perfect sense. It just does not seem to work that way. What is that figure? 10% of the people do 90% of the work?
Thanks again for your thoughts.
The reasons people leave the church or are disillusioned with it are numerous. Certainly, some feel their needs are not being met but don't get me stated on how the the church is not a place where we should expect fufillment for our entitlement issues. ;)
Others feel they don't fit in or being judged. Perhaps some aren't growing Spiritually at the institutionalized church and could rather find God anywhere but.
Maybe some leave because "going to church" is nothing more than a ritual that was all fine and good for their parents, but they themselves have other plans for their weekend.
This is not to say that the church itself does not possess weakness and flaws. An earthly organization filled with fallible people will certainly make mistakes, and large ones.
Taken from the book Why We Love the Church (K.DeYoung and T. Kluck) "They (church leavers) should consider what it is they are actually leaving. Is it merely some bad experiences they are fleeing? Or does the unrest go deeper? If Christians are interested in a Christianity free from doctrine, demands, and damnation, they aren't just sick of the church and its unflattering quirks; they're tired of the Christian faith.
Such a long comment, I apologize. I just found it so interesting that you posed this question while I am in the middle of this book that tackles this very topic.
Chelle, I find this conversation so interesting. Thanks for all your thoughts.
Some of those quotes from Why We Love the Church are profound. Esp. the one about being sick of the Christian faith. I never thought about that being the reason why some people are so dissatisfied.
I guess what I was chewing on all day was more a reflection of my own personal shortcomings with reaching out. Sure, I will do the "outreach stuff", but am I one to really invest my time in finding out who exactly needs helping and fill that need?
Maybe part of it is because we never connected with a church in CA, so I feel all the more convicted to make sure people who aren't in my circle get support and "served" in their time of need.
Long comment back, sorry LOL
I feel like I need to quote something profound after reading the Hopkins sisters comments. :) But all I really want to say is that I find that that woman's comments on church to be so sad. It must break God's heart to see His church either not doing it's job or to see people so grossly misjudging it.
I just had a non-church going neighbor come to me in crisis and say, "Help. We need to talk to a pastor. Can you help us?" I was honored to lead her to my church which I love so much and that has a staff and congregation filled with people with a heart for God and his people.
This post obviously has the prerequisite that if you're going to comment, it must be LONG! :)
I do too, Laurie. For whatever reason, it still makes me sad that there were just so darn many people commenting that "church is not there when we need a hand".
I am glad your church is helping your neighbors. Honestly, I think each church is different as far as how good they are with this. For example, I think Cal CRC does outreach and care ministry really well. I know of a few other churches that could probably be better.
Ha, long comment again:-)
hopkins sisters = a couple of wind bags.
;0)
Post a Comment