Just a quick hit tonight…something I should probably do more of to keep things lively around here.
Christian churches should take a cue from Jesus’ example and stop whining about who comes into the church, unless said person is armed or strapped with explosives. We should be welcoming people whether they come in shirts and ties or shorts and flip-flops. Whether they are straight as arrows or gay as the day is long. Regardless of their color. No matter what their politics. Despite the fact that they may have philosophies that run counter to a given church’s preference.
Too often, churches are places where the people who are in charge, and who attend regularly, want to keep a status quo, and make a special club that excludes people who make them feel uncomfortable.
This isn’t about comfort. This is about our souls and our connection to the divine. This is about edification and salvation. It’s not about special rules and exclusionary behaviors. Frankly, I’d like to see more churches in which there was disagreement and discussion, rather than a bland acceptance of some party line.
Jesus didn’t just call on one kind of person to follow him. He didn’t preach to just one kind of group. He ate with anyone who invited him, even if they disagreed with him.
To steal a line from this past Sunday’s sermon at my church…we are supposed to be about unity, not uniformity.
This is about our souls and our connection to the divine. This is about edification and salvation.(Deacon)
Yep that is what Jesus taught(self absorption). Dam, to think I assumed Jesus wanted us to help our fellow human first, boy was I wrong. 😉
Oh, for crying out loud, Tit for Tat…as if you’ve never read anything else I’ve posted.
Connection to the divine and edification are part of the larger connection to humanity and to helping others, when done with the right mind set. But CHURCH is about getting the faithful together, mobilized and in the right mind set. Church is about helping guide people to salvation and to connection with God.
When you leave church, you’re supposed to be helping people and doing good.
So, go back and read my post again. I’m talking about CHURCH inclusion of people who have the faith or who are seeking.
I’m not talking about the larger mission of Christians.
Tsk, tsk.
Taking my post completely out of context to score a cheap hit.
I’m surprised at you, Tit for Tat.
Taking my post completely out of context to score a cheap hit.
I’m surprised at you, Tit for Tat.
Jesus, I just cant help myself somedays. Do me a favour and pray for me. 😉
Deac
I agree with the idea that Christians often get caught up in the packaging when it comes to folks attending church, but I do think it makes sense to screen some folks out. I mean, sometimes allowing a diversity of opinion only breeds confusion. There must be an agreement on certain key principles. Unfortunately, what church folks see as key principles differs based on the church and its members. So, we get caught up in screening out the wrong folks, while allowing the real troublemakers to hang around. It’s a tough balancing act.
But if someone walked in a nazi uniform…what would you do?
So, we get caught up in screening out the wrong folks, while allowing the real troublemakers to hang around. (Bigman)
And there you have it in a nutshell. No pulling any punches there. Keep out the “wrong folks” or “Troublemakers”, after all they are not one of you.
But if someone walked in a nazi uniform…what would you do?(Societyvs)
I think Bigman made it pretty obvious, dont you?
I think to some extent, you’ve answered the question yourself, Big Man. Troublemakers.
I think it’s wrong to exclude people because you assume they’ll be troublemakers (unless it’s patently obvious they are coming in to start shit). But when people prove to be troublemakers who only want to sow dissent instead of creating discussion and thought, THEN you should consider asking them to leave and not return.
The problem is that in trying to keep out the “undesirables” you create stagnation and a rigid mindset. There are core principles in Christianity, but still many areas for discussion, reflection, reconsideration and such.
If you’re causing trouble, you need to go.
If you’re in God’s house to create dissension and disunity, you need to go. If you’re a hypocrite who won’t repent, you need to go.
I don’t apologize for that mindset. Disagreement is fine. It’s needed. But hanging around to create problems makes you a troublemaker. I made my distinction clear.
If you don’t believe Jesus is God, then why are you here? If you don’t believe he rose from the dead, what’s your purpose for coming around? If you’re not interested in turning your life over to God, then I’m going to question your motives. If you’re in the church to create a disruption solely for the sake of creating a disruption, then you need to move on.