What will it take to move past this? As you say, Paul wrote about this 2,000 years ago. How do we break a 2,000-year-old habit?
RickD335
· 9 months ago
Given our human nature, Jennifer, I'm not sure it is going to be an easy thing to do but it is incumbent on us to make the effort - if we only love those who love us, we've received our reward, right? If we do not make the effort to encourage others by our own example to jump off the nice safe platform that the church is depicted as and into the sea to help save others - no matter how scary or messy it can be - then we've broken faith with what we're called to be. All any one of us can do is all we can do - and if we do not live it out in front of others, we're not following simple instructions.
dukeslee
· 9 months ago
Oh, so true, Rick. I love this: "And if we do not live it out in front of others, we're not following simple instructions."
I immediately think of my girls, who I'm "living it out in front of" the very most. But of course, there are others, even here in what is known as the Midwestern Bible Belt. There are a lot of hurting people here, some of whose main hurts have been inflicted by the church.
Thanks for making me think.
Angel
· 9 months ago
I love church, so please don't get me wrong ... but I have found that church keeps us too busy for the Great Commission. Once you're in, you're asked to serve ... and once you are serving ... you barely have time to take care of your home, spouse, and kids ... let alone go out and make disciples. Just thinking about it makes me tired. :)
rmravon
· 7 months ago
Yes, church and serving is a huge balance, but it's all of our call. I really feel that people need to seek God in how they can best serve, and utilize their spritual gifts. This is a huge passion of mine, which I write about allot on my blog, so it's hard for me to comment when it's just overflowing at the moement. By the way, I just found your blog and will be adding you to my roll. God bless, robin
RickD335
· 7 months ago
Hi Robin - welcome!
I agree that worshiping God and serving God are part of our call - my frustration with the church (not simply confined to the one I attend, but I don't want to apply this to the universal church) is that far too often, it comes off more as a social club or a franchise on one hand and less about what we are called to do, which is to make disciples.
Shoot me a link to your blog, and we'll get linked!
All Comments
I immediately think of my girls, who I'm "living it out in front of" the very most. But of course, there are others, even here in what is known as the Midwestern Bible Belt. There are a lot of hurting people here, some of whose main hurts have been inflicted by the church.
Thanks for making me think.
I agree that worshiping God and serving God are part of our call - my frustration with the church (not simply confined to the one I attend, but I don't want to apply this to the universal church) is that far too often, it comes off more as a social club or a franchise on one hand and less about what we are called to do, which is to make disciples.
Shoot me a link to your blog, and we'll get linked!
http://girlforgod.wordpress.com