Pay attention now ‘cause I don’t want you to miss this. I know in advance that I’m going to anger some people who’s sport of choice is “church bashing” but I’m willing to risk it. I’ve been wondering about something: Where is this unloving, mean spirited, judgmental, harsh congregation that all the liberals and malcontents grew up in is. I’ve been around hundreds of congregations in my lifetime and I’ve not found it yet. Yes, to be honest, I’ve met some real hardheads but never have I seen a congregation with more than 5 or 10% of it being folks who are mean and uncaring.
The church I grew up in had people like Bunny and Betty who every Wednesday night provided juice and cookies for the little kids – sort of a mini-VBS every week (no cookies ever taste as good as those did). There was Pope (yes, that was his name) and his Sister Jaton (to this day I don’t know her first name) who sang as if God was the only one listening (and ain’t that about all that matters). Then there was Brother King, an ancient elder who knew the name of every child who walked in the door. There was James – an ex-biker turned off of marijuana and onto the Lord. And then there was this neat song leader, pre-praise song days – but when he led, you wanted to follow. There were Bo and Henry and Bubba (of course there was Bubba – it was Alabama) – young married couples who loved life and lived it right! There was this preacher, who backed up what he said with the Bible and smiled even when scolding you (I listened closely, after all he was my dad). What was taught was that we were to do right because it was right to do right and wrong to do wrong. Right was what was in God's Word. I don't remember a lot of talk about condemning others but I do remember a lot about how I was expected to live as a Christian - serve, obey, love, teach others. Doing wrong was doing things either not in the Bible or things the Bible condemned. There was John who taught he teen class – we gave him fits (I remember the Wednesday night that while he was trying to teach Alan showed off his talents of standing on his head in the back of the classroom) – but he was patient with us. Then there were friends, Jeff, Alan, Chuck, Keith, Timmy, Mike and Andy (not to mention the girls - none of whom would give me the time of day – see I told you there was the five percent). This was pre-youth minister days - we didn’t think you had to have one to get together and do good or have fun – so we just did! There was Steve and Bill and Hiawatha and Tony (how’d an Indian get in Alabama) men who loved going to foreign countries to tell other people about what Christ had done for them. There was Rick and Marylyn who just loved everybody – and everybody loved them back. I could go on (and on and on), but I think you get the point. I’m sure there were problems and must have been big, bad, ugly, hairy ones (we had 200 people leave one time) but I didn’t know it. These were God’s People! And I learned of Christ and God and learned the Bible with these people (plus a lot of other neat stuff). I learned about struggling with sin and forgiveness. I learned what encouragement was.
So don’t talk bad about MY FAMILY – I’ll fight you!!!
Be careful and think twice before you “throw Her under the bus”: The church is the bride of Christ, the House of God, it was in the mind of God before the ages began. It is that for which Christ shed His blood. It will be around until the trumpet is blown and time ends – for time to really begin! I’d be leery of speaking bad of the Lord’s Body!
And that church still exists - it is all over the world. It is anywhere people take seriously God's Word and following it because they love Him. You can find the church I grew up in today. When you find it - the name of Christ will be prominately displayed and the Spriit of Christ will be proudly demonstrated - and you'll have found a good thing!
Sunday you have the blessed opportunity of meeting with His People – I know there are some bad eggs out there – but how ‘bout, just this once, ignore them! Enjoy the holy privilege of being among the Saints. The church!
get together at coffee houses to study and discuss the scriptures. So we thought we might do some good providing a series of study guides that could be used either individually or in small groups. For that setting or any other for that matter. We outlined several titles...right before commitment date I bailed out. We both felt that with the work of Spring Meadows and helping get it started and my other obligations I best not commit further. He was kind and understanding and he went forward. I was excited a couple of weeks ago to hear that his first study guide would be coming out shorting. Well, shortly has become now as he showed me the first edition Sunday. I will be reading it over the next couple of days and look forward to writing a review. He has (as he always does) done a magnificent job and produced a very, very attractive product. I'm a little sad I didn't jump on board with him - but he's offered me an opportunity to write one of these anyway. I'll be honored to sometime. Anyway, I hope you'll get a few of these and consider them. You can find out more at www.coffeehousestudies.com. Or you can just order a few copies at: http://stores.ebay.com/Coffeehouse-Publications.
