Our Churches Today

picture from http://www.issacharinitiative.org/

Greetings loved ones. How are we all doing? Today, I want to talk about something that has been bothering me personally for a while now which is affecting the world as a whole. A few years ago, I hated going to church. It seemed like hard work to me. Sometimes when I do summon energy to go, it is either to seek an avenue to show off a new dress or shoe or just to tick the date on the calendar to show that I went to church at least once in 3 months, maybe. Sometimes I would enjoy the service so much and feel like I've been visited by the angels. Many times, I would find something wrong with the preaching and from that moment in the service, I would zone out. I could get ticked off by wrong grammar or an usher making me sit where I do not want to or a pastor making a mistake in a Bible story or saying something that is unethical is sin. It could be anything really, even as silly as pastor wearing an over-sized suit. This made it easy for me to avoid church for very long periods, after all I had my Bible, I can read and so could seek God myself right?

Today, I've come a long way and it was a conscious effort as well as the Grace of God of course. I still get ticked off by many things in the church today, however I have come to realize that even the pastors and all the church workers are humans too and therefore can make mistakes. This however, does not make it easy for me to forgive every little mistake. I still believe that before you take a  title (usher, chorister, Sunday school teacher, pastor, sister/brother in the Lord, whatever) ,  you should be well aware of the responsibilities and the character expectations that come with accepting that role. I do not believe that you have to be perfect, nobody is; nevertheless, I do expect a high level of discipline and dedication from you and I believe that God's Grace will help you through. It is sad that our churches today have probably gone worse than they were when I hated going to church. 

Our churches today believe that they are superior than all the members, there is no humility in them. Our churches today believe that it is their right to take from the people's little and add to their surplus because after all, they are doing "God's work". Our churches today will pray for you, and tell you it is well when you come to ask for food. Our churches today will make a known fraudster an "elder" because his tithes are very heavy. Our churches today will not pick up a poor member and her kids on the way to the same destination because they will mess up the car. Our churches today will reserve front row seats for the rich and fabulous. Our churches today will ask pastor's daughter to abort a pregnancy because it will tarnish the image of the church. Our churches today will sleep with all the brothers and sisters and come to the altar to preach against fornication and adultery. Our churches today will not let you in because your clothes are fading out. Our churches today will not answer your greeting because you didn't bend down or didn't say "aunty". Our churches today will not let you park in the good spot no matter how early you arrive because your car is old and rickety. Our churches today will tell you that God said you should give all you have now (every service) and trust in Him. I could go on and on but I'm getting pissed already, maybe there'll be a part two.

We've forgotten what it means to be Christians. We've forgotten the greatest commandment. We now find it fancy to be called a church worker and it has now become a thing of status rather than service. We have forgotten that people are to get saved through us. We've forgotten that we are the first and probably the only Bible that people will read. We have forgotten that God is counting on us to draw the lost to eternal life. We have forgotten that it is NOT about us. We have forgotten that church should be where everyone should feel accepted and at peace. We have forgotten that man is not our standard but God. We have forgotten that we should strive daily to be like Christ. We have forgotten that people can be led astray by our actions and words. We have forgotten that we are here ( on earth) only for a while. We have forgotten that God is watching us, maybe we have even forgotten that God exists. Our churches today need Jesus. Our churches today are ME and YOU.

I am a Christian, I am not perfect nor am I blameless/sinless. I am not holier than thou, I am not an angel. I sin, sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously. I am one who is trying to be better and praying that we all be better. Let's pray for our churches today and make that conscious effort to be better. Let's open our eyes to see those in need and help when we can, let's remember to pray for them even if that's all we can do. Let's ask God to teach us to love because that word "Love" is an action word, probably the hardest action ever, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us and by His Grace, nothing is impossible. Let's be there for one another. Let's seek God truly, open our hearts and lives to Him, obey His word and voice and He will help us. 

So guys, can we do this? What do you think our churches today need? Let's talk.