I was out of town for a little while at the Catalyst One Day event in Granger Indiana. Honestly, I was having blogging withdrawls. It’s taken a few hours for the DT’s to settle down, but I think I’m ready to blog again.
Granger was fun…when I think of Indiana, I typically imagine some place about 20 minutes away from me rather than over 4 hours away. This was getting up close to Chicago. Granger Community Church hosted the Catalyst event and man…that place was amazing.
Tim and I went to get a dose of high-quality nuts and bolts leadership training and it was well worth it. I looked to be the youngest person there, but that’s nothing new. It’s an honor to be absorbing such important things like this so early…I’m just praying I’ll steward them well.
For some reason, God has brought a block of scripture to my attention over the last two weeks. This scripture has come up multiple times in multiple venues and there’s a reason for that…there’s always a reason. I’ve decided to teach on this scripture next weekend at Vineyard Westside. It’s in Romans chapter 12 and it says this:
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to hisfaith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
You see, I’ve got this problem. As a pastor I see a lot of Christians very often. What I don’t see, however, is a lot of people who are LIVING SACRIFICES…I don’t see a lot of people who AREN’T CONFORMING TO THE PATTERNS OF THIS WORLD…I don’t see a lot of people who are TRANSFORMED WITH RENEWED MINDS…I don’t see a lot of people who are LIVING OUT THEIR GIFTS.
This is a problem.
Now don’t get me wrong…some of them are. But if I’m honest with myself, I have to admit I struggle with these very same things. The trouble is that we as Christians - the followers of Jesus - aren’t reflecting the ONE we claim to follow very well at all. Mahatama Ghandi said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” - Ouch.
So here’s what I need from you:
Leave a comment expressing what frustrates you about Christians. Now I realize that many of you who read this blog are Christians and many of you are not. Please try to leave a comment without bashing (or preaching to) another commenter thus proving exactly what I am talking about.
I will use these comments in my upcoming message to get some real-world answers. You can say whatever you want here…this is a safe place. You can even make up a name and post anonymously if you wish. So…
What is it that drives you nuts about these people who claim to follow this Jesus?
168 Comments
What drives me most nuts about Christians is that they rarely put up a good fight and they taste no better than chicken.
Signed,
A Roman Lion
Ooooh. Good post. What do I hate? Well, coming from a non-christian background to working in a church, there was a lot that bothered me (and led me to finding work elsewhere.) I hate that many (certainly not all) churches are run like a business. I hate the whole churchy SUBCULTURE. I hate that christians have their own language. I hate that they worry more about cussing and drinking (of which I happily do both) instead loving one another. I hate how in some places there is no rebuking, and in others, that’s all that it seems to be. I hate how many Christians are afraid to challenge or be challenged. I hate how, sometimes, I feel like I’m the only Christian trying to follow His word, and how, other times, I’m the only trying to relax and just love people.
Wow, that was quite cathartic. I hope this helps. In the end, I would still rather have the broken, messed up Church (i.e. every follower of Christ) that we do have, than no church at all.
I love your post today…this is something that I’ve really be struggling with. I was raised in church. I’ve always been taught to live a ‘good’ life even though most of the time; I haven’t followed the right paths. There are times when I feel like I’m under conviction to give my life to the Lord, but then I sit in the back of the church and look at the people that claim they live the good life, and I don’t want to be like them. The Christians I know are rude and hateful; they gossip and only look out for only themselves. I try not to judge them. I give them all the respect and kindness that I want. But what I see with my own eyes is what’s so hard to deal with. An 11 year old girl that has been in the church her whole life had surgery, the pastors didn’t visit her. A family is about to lose everything, they don’t offer any help. In church, they act like they care about me, when I pass them in the store, they won’t even speak to me. Are all churches like this?? I don’t understand. I try to. I know I should go to church for my own reasons and not for them, but it’s hard. Pray for me…I need it.
I’m a Christian, so I’ll throw myself into my criticism.
We don’t know how to articulate what we believe. We regurgitate rather than dive in and live it.
We’re obsessed with being culturally relevant but don’t notice the brokenness around us. And that’s the real reality of the world we’re in.
We are not vulnerable. We don’t listen. We don’t love.
This is directed at myself. What drives me crazy is Christians who judge. I fight this in myself on a daily basis and I am slowly overcoming it. I remind myself that God loves those I judge as much as He loves me and I am certainly not perfect! He loves me where I’m at and I should love others without conditions.
Great post Ryan!
Definition of Christian - Someone who is better than you no matter what because they classify themselves as a “Christian”. These people are the first to critize and the last to look in a mirror to see that the faults they are critizing are much of the same ones they themselves show.
Say they care about people, and then turn around and judge them.
I think my biggest complaint is that more times than not the “Christian” person judges whomever then turns around and does the same thing they just deemed inappropriate. No one’s perfect by any means & I don’t claim to be either but I do try to practice what I preach.
My experience is that people can suck no matter what religion (or not) they are. I just expect more from my brothers and sisters, and thus am disappointed by them when they are @$$h*l3$.
BTW
Pastor Ryan, you are dreamy!
i’ve got to agree with a few of the others. I really hate those who are “holyier than thou”. That they turn their backs on those who aren’t straight up doing what they are taught in the church. But looking into their lives, they are just as bad, if not worse. And somehow they turn it around to make it seem that they are not in the wrong… only you.
There are way too many like this in my church, and to be truthful, it has turned me away. I find it hard to be active in a religion/church when their members are the opposite in what they beleive. They might look sqeaky clean to the everyday person who sees them but digging deeper, it’s all a show.
Hmmm. Sounds like we have a trend here. My biggest sin is judging judgemental Christians. It’s so hard to remember we are not the judge, that Christ loved (and loves) all of us, that we are ALL God’s children.
We have in the past attended a large church. I feel like an outsider. I sit and listen and feel very removed from all of it. They want my money - that’s about all. Now I know a church needs money to function, but there is not a week that I’m not asked to make my regular donation as well as a couple more. There is no personalization - after months of attending this church no one knows my name. I see the people who sit there week after week being rude out in public. They aren’t friendly, loving, God-fearing people when they aren’t in church. I want to attend a church where people live their life as God would want, not just show up on Sunday morning and believe it’s all good. It’s sad - do people really believe attending church once a week makes them a Christian?
Christians who hold others to a standard yet make their own rules for themselves and don’t even get that you are watching… My second peeve is what I call Jesus lipservice. They’ve got those annoying cliches that they all use like it makes them more holy. What a turn off!
The judgement on and lack of mercy for others. The idea that you have to present yourself in a certain way to be thought of as a “good” christian. The lack of understanding that if you never change in your heart, all the “religious” stuff is futile. And specifically, at the church I came from, that one I had belonged to for my whole life, that they never taught me anything about having a real, authentic relationship with Jesus. I just followed the rules all those years and thought that was all there was. I’m kind of pissed about that but I’m trying to forgive.
I’m a Christian myself - that’s my background in saying this.
I think the saddest thing is when the things that we believe don’t show up in a regular lives - whether that means the negative ways we treat others (judgment, gossip, piety, rudeness, exclusiveness) or the things that we aren’t involved in (caring for the sick, the poor, the broken, the orphans).
We are very often far too involved in our own little worlds.
In the last year I have come to see and believe that (not all, but a lot) of people (christians) think they are separate from Christ.
I left my bible study last year because of this. Women (again not all of them) but a lot of them were sad with a “whoa is me” mentality wanting Jesus to “fix” things for them Jesus said “My spirit I leave with you” The same spirit (life) that was breathed into Jesus was breathed into us at the beginning of our creation. The very thing that animated Jesus animates us. God’s breath. people don’t believe this they think they are weak, useless, and can’t do anything. Until all christians know that the divine power of God is what they truly are (not their minds) they won’t live up to what they can live up to. Jesus said “Nothing is impossible” People do not believe that. So they don’t set forth and they won’t try. People don’t know their “true self”. I hope deeply that all people can know who they truly are. We would have New Heaven and a New Earth for sure.
Hmm. I’m not sure I’ll use the word hate, but things that sadden me? Mind you I am just as guilty with this one. Judging others…Life would be much more lovely if we just embraced each person unconditionally, completely, and judgment free.
And I really don’t like it when someone tries to force feed me their religious beliefs. It makes me squirm and want to run the other direction. *flee*
What bothers me most are entire congregations throughout the United States… entire denominations who recite “The Gospel” but do not truly READ the word. I am so blessed that my husband and I recognized the error of this and sought an “amazing church in the valley” with a small congregation that reads the word and helps each other LIVE the word. In accordance with this…. I cannot bring myself to put a bumper sticker on my car that would identify myself with a denomination…. because first, each denomination is a room in the house of the Lord, and second, I know if I put a bumper sticker on my car that identfies me as a certain kind of Christian, I will be sized up by Christians and Non-Christians alike. Thirdly, nothing I can ever do or say would be enough to honor my savior…. I will spend my entire life trying to honor my savior, and I like it that way.
Before I write my comment, I should forewarn that I am completely disenchanted with Christianity. This is based on the behaviors and attitudes of most of the Christians I know. So, if I come across as bitter it’s because the wounds are still bleeding.
1. Many Christians portray a sense of superiority/privilege. This negates the idea of a humble messiah.
2. They are quick to judge anybody that is not a clone of themselves, and resistant to forgive.
3. The purpose of mission trips to other countries is questionable to me. Is it that they are really going to help or that they are fulfilling their desire for vain glory? If they really want to help, why do they have to leave the country? There are people here who desperately need help.
4. The ease with which they lie…
5. Many seem to think that they can do anything they want because they are already forgiven…but nobody else is.
6. Many have told me that the treasures they have gotten here (big houses, big cars, thrice yearly vacations) are because they are living “the good life”. Does that mean that poor people are bad?
I got my fill of Christians when I was told that I should commit suicide because I was going to go to Hell for being divorced anyway.
I’m disappointed in fellow Christians when they complain about the little things at their church that are so insignificant. The church service is too long, the music is too loud, the worship/praise time is too long…blah, blah, blah. What do they think heaven is going to be like? Give Jesus 15 minutes and then walk on the streets of gold home to my mansion? Probably not. Find something important to talk about. Like, why haven’t I shared Jesus with all my friends that don’t know Him?
I was raised as a Muslim * I formally practice nothing at the moment but am always seeking to find my place*. Being raised that way *orthodox or sunni muslim*, I was taught that there would be “people of the books”, in paradise, not just muslims. I had a very good *I thought* friend who became a born again christian and then told me that I was going to go to hell as I did not believe like she did. She also told me that she could no longer talk to me. We were friends, we did a lot of things together, our families broke bread together many times and then..wham!
I find that most christians are a judgemental lot and that’s putting it mildly.
Sign me:
Confused
Also, Dallas Willard writer of the Spirit of the Disciplines wrote that 1/3 of the worlds population claims to be Christian if we are the salt of the earth and there is 1/3 of pound of us and the world is consider a pound of meat the Christians should be well able to preserve the world. But this is not happening. So many christians don’t live as Christians. Not that it’s easy, we all lose focus and make mistakes sometimes but for the most part so many Cristians are not focused and aware most of the time.
I left two comments now, does that mean I can’t post tomorrow?
My home church! I’m glad you liked it
Wow, that was an awesome post. I have been struggling with these same thoughts. I wonder why “Christians” will sit back and say we need to be doing something, but they never get out of the chair. I have tried very hard lately to remind myself that everything I do, is an
expression of my love for God. I am certainly not perfect and will be the first to tell anyone who asks. But I really want to make a difference and hope by at least trying to set an example that I don’t come off as a holier than thou type of person.
Sometimes the line seems very thin and hard to walk.
What aggravates me to death are Christian parents who set bad examples for their kids. I’m nut just talking about people who make parenting mistakes, duh, no ones perfect. No ones even even near perfect. I’m talking about people who just straight out don’t try. Their Christian walk is priority number 3 or 4. Spiritual growth isn’t even a blip on the radar. And then they wonder what happened. Hmmm I wonder, you skipped church for every reason imaginable, you set a horrible example for your kids in how you behaved as a parent and as a person and then what happened someone becomes a mystery. Yea, I’m biased, I had great parents. I’m not saying be as good as my parents, I’m just saying to try. Its worth the effort.
I think so many people hold Christians to a higher standard that is impossible for us to achieve. We are human, first and foremost, and therefore we are sinners and are flawed ugly individuals. What I think is so amazing about Jesus’ sacrifice for me is that I don’t have to clean myself up to accept it. He takes me as I am, ugly, flawed, bitter, angry, imperfect, and offers eternity to me. My goal as a follower of Christ is to “one another” others (our pastor has been doing a powerful series on this), love, encourage, pray for, support one another, etc. I have been a Christian since I was 8 years old and was so complacent for so long. I am hungrily reading my Bible now and asking God for ways to serve Him. I fail every single day, but I know that I can go to Him and ask forgiveness and try again. My biggest desire is to serve Him and to encourage my children to do the same.
Another thing that makes me so sad is when people accept Christ and then are disenchanted when things aren’t perfect in their lives. God didn’t promise us ease or the “good life.” He promised redemption and forgiveness. Believe me, it has not been easy to live my faith. I lost my brother to disease when he was 16, 13 years ago. I lost my dad to disease when he was 54, 4 years ago. We’ve watched several family members die of an unnamed illness. We’ve been through financial struggles and trials, yet through all of it, my parents held firm to their faith and believed that God was walking with them. My husband and I do the same. We trust that His will is perfect and we try to obey Him. So much of this stuff is easier said than done, but I continue to try.
I was raised in the church and continue to go to my “home” church but my biggest issue is people who push there beliefs on you in a misguided thought that there beliefs are more valid then everyone else’s. And I dislike people who talk the talk but don’t or won’t walk the walk. they talk about unconditional love but only extend this love in real life to those they deem worthy.
What I find heart breaking is that many Christians only see the word as being black and white. They hate those who are different, and they don’t show love to those who don’t fit their ‘churchy’ mold.
Was the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah a statement of the unholy lifestyles of the residents of those cities only? Was it also a statement of the failure of those who live in dark places to be salt and light and to share the love of Him who created us?
What frustrates me most is pointed directly at myself. I belief that the message christians have is unique, all inclusive and the only way. I belief there are hard truths that our culture is not so willing to embrace: righteousness (what does that mean today?), living in the world but not allowing it to swallow us up, setting a standard that is difficult for all to achieve (check the bible for how it assumes christians will live) and offering a message that is politically incorrect (the message in the bible is that the only way to God is through Jesus). Sometimes even if you communicate these truths in love, they are not received that way. You are assumed to be “judging” or narrow-minded etc. Now, I’m not excusing christians who have behaved in a way that some of today’s commenters have experienced. But I think we have to recognize that Jesus promised that our lives would not be about winning popularity contests. The message we have is a difficult one - one that insists on us relinquishing our rights. What I’m trying to express is the frustration of truly living the hard words of Jesus, without that coming across as a judgment on other people.
Christ went to the places that were considered un-Godlike and he spent time and loved people who were considered un-Godlike, the Samaritans for example.
I hate that as Christians we find ourselves sharing the word of God with people who already have it instead of making friends, joining groups and getting involved with things that are not tied to our own congregation or religion.
I’ve found that as I’ve been trying to find time to help with a humanitarian organization, people from church wonder why I’m going outside of church to help people. Why not help within the structure of my own church? The answer is simple really. I want to help, I want to do it now and I want to do it my own way. I’m not concerned with doing something that will make it into the local paper or give me any of the praise in any way.
We as Christians sometimes are only able to think within our own religious box and can’t seem to find a way to see things outside of that box. I don’t want to be a box christian.
first of all i’m sad i can’t come to church that weekend…i’ll be in chi town for turkey day…but with my fam so thats good!
And I couldn’t agree with you more, I just started reading irresistable revoultion by Shane Claiborne and already it has my mind stiring i’m barely into the second chapter…
What I don’t like about church, and Christians….it all comes across fake…no one is the church, the best example of the church has nothing to do with the church, sad that we don’t love like were supposed to. It’s all so political, and everyone is so consumed with themselves they dont’ see anyone else, or the hurt thats their and even when they are helping someone else they are thinking about how good it makes them feel, or how it makes them look…sad
what is it that drives me nuts about Christians…
how are they un-Christ like…
lots of things… like:
-worship only happens in a church
-Sunday is the Lords (only) day
-One issue voting
-that they are (in my area)republicans by identity not by conviction
-lack of passion
-lack of conviction
-judgmental
-they don’t stand out
-they don’t really know what it means to follow Jesus… to be like him, to sacrifice self will.
-don’t study or research the truth… if one person says something (preacher) they believe it 100%, they don’t challenge the preacher, the political view, the issues of the day,
-they don’t stand up for social injustices
-they have an opinion and are unwavering in their ignorance
-they are pharisaic yet you mention being like a pharisee and they know that’s bad
-cold hearted
-selfish
-limited generosity
these are just some of my initial thoughts… not sure if I could boil it down to one or prioritize… I probably could summarize but just not sure I even want to give any more effort to negative thinking, that doesn’t bring me anywhere.
the long and short of it, there are people in this movement who appear to be more similar to Jesus than others in the movemeent. But we’re all broken living in a broken world… I have to learn, and re-wash my thoughts in grace even after this short response… I want them to be different and that’s a part of God’s heart. But another part is his love for me, where I am, without me changing anything. Now that’s grace.
I’m an atheist, and I attended 6 years of Catholic school as a kid so I guess I have some background knowledge of Christianity too. I must say that I don’t have a lot of personal experience with Christians being overly judgmental, but that could be a function of the areas where I’ve lived in recent memory (8 years in Boston, and the last 2 years in Toronto). I have some pretty good friends who would describe themselves as conservative Christians, and we’ve had some good arguments about religion and various issues like abortion, and we can respectfully agree to disagree at the end of the day, and understand where the other party is coming from.
What I strongly dislike is the “Christian right” political movement, which seeks to write Christian moral beliefs into law. There are 300 million people in the US, many of whom have widely differing views on these personal beliefs. Let’s keep the US a free country - if you (Christians…not you personally) want people to stop doing something you think is wrong, please try to convince them with your words and actions, not by force (the law), and respect that some people will choose to disagree.
I am a Christian and am lumped together will all the rest of “us”. But we’re all at different places in our spiritual growth and are at very different levels of maturity. Often spiritual maturity and “non-spiritual maturity” are entwined and some people will never meet expectations. I can know a great deal about Biblical teachings on love and relationships but if I don’t let it change me, I still won’t get along with people. I’d be like a teenager who can say the right words but can’t translate them into action.
We might know in our heads that accepting Christ will change us and not the other person. But we don’t like it and continue to try to change them instead of just loving them.
I don’t like when Christians are called intolerant (a much over-used word) because I don’t believe it. I tolerate much in people in order to form relationships with them, while still helping them understand I don’t have to approve of their actions.
Keep posting - I enjoy your thoughts.
Great Post . . . “Living Sacrifice”. I was raised to know and love God and His Son, Jesus. I was taught to love God’s Word and to obey it. I’ve studied it and taught from it. I’ve been involved in areas of ministry my whole life. I’m actively involved in ministry within my home church and I also make my living by working full time in my home church. It’s the only “job” I’ve ever had. I’m 34 years old and I’m done with “church” as I’ve known it, I’m done with living my “christian life” as I’ve known it. I don’t want to be known as a Christian. I don’t want the T-Shirt, I don’t want the bumper sticker and the Jesus Jewelry. I don’t want to wear the hairstyle and I don’t want to talk the language. I just want to make Jesus beautiful. I want to be a living sacrifice. No signs needed to point me out, no definitions or identifications needed. Just being a Living Sacrifice that makes Jesus beautiful. Living my life as a sacrifice to Him means I don’t need to tell anyone that I’m sacrificing, my walking and talking and living and loving and serving and shopping and being a wife to my husband and being a friend and working and breathing will make Jesus beautiful.
I think we shelter ourselves too often, not wanting to “be exposed” to the world– and then miss every opportunity to minister to those in the world. I hate it that non-Christians I know do a better job of loving their neighbor (like the good Samaritan, for example) than I do.
I think it’s time for me, and a lot of other Christians, to get into the trenches and start doing work in the world. Without judging those we’re serving.
What bothers me is that there are some Christians that don’t respect that other groups have other religions or beliefs and try to impose their Christian beliefs upon them. I don’t begrudge your belief in God but I consider myself agnostic. I personally will not try to convince you that my thoughts are the only right ones, so why should you try to convince me that Christianity is the only answer for me?
Another problem that I have is the large number of Christians that promote legislation that will not allow rights to groups based on “moral” arguments. Religion should not be reason that gay men and women cannot get married or have benefits within this country.
I know that not all Christians behave this way, but those that do are very vocal and hurtful.
I get frustrated at “holiness” teaching. It has caused me - or rather I let it cause me - much stress in my walk with Jesus. In “holiness” churches there’s a “grace but…” message. You’ve been set free, delivered, your sins are paid for, the shackles are broken….Now, you better live right after all God did for you, you scum bag…Here are 10 steps to make sure you keep your righteousness:
1- ditch all your unholy friends
2 - read your Bible without fail everyday.
3 - pray for 2 hours a day or more
4 - fast weekly
5 - repent regularly to make sure you’re clean.
so on and so on…
It’s like setting me free so you can bind me up.
I don’t have a problem with teaching people disciplines. And encouraging each other and being accountable. But the disciplines should be about edifying and strengthening oneself. They make it sound like its the way to keep your salvation…If I’m not good enough/able enough to GET it, I’m surely not going to be able to KEEP it in my own strength by performance. It’s not what I have done, but what Jesus has done. Holiness should be a natural by-product and desire that comes from a real relationship with Jesus - not a prescription to maintain his love and acceptance.
GRRRR!
And let me clarify that I am not innocent of putting religion above relationship. Thankfully God is working in me to break that off. I struggle against it often and still often find it hard to believe the Truth that God loves me. Period. Nothing can separate me from His love in Christ. NOTHING…And yet I micro-manage myself and often get into carefully measuring each step I take so as not to displease God. I think maybe the heart is in the right place, but this kind of living is based in fear. And this kind of fear is not of God.
I’d have to say the facade is my biggest complaint. I was the odd girl out growing up in a baptist church. The person I was on Sunday morning was the same person I was every other day of the week, and I hated that that wasn’t true for everyone else. I hate that most Christians I encounter can’t have a rational discussion, they can’t agree to disagree.
Christian is a very powerful and scary word, and rightfully so, but more often than not, people wear like a clothing label, taking it off when it doesn’t fit right.
The thing that gets me is how we’ve allowed ourselves the luxury of relaxing our standards so we don’t “offend” the unsaved. We try to remain so politically correct that we have become lukewarm. Most of the time, standing for Christ means standing against the flow of our culture - disrupting the peace, pointing fingers, and calling a spade a spade. Jesus didn’t walk away from sin, or downplay it, or even close his eyes to what was happening so as to not offend the sinner. Instead he approached the sin and the sinner with honesty and sincerity. When he needed to chastise he did so, when he needed to heal he did so, when he needed to love he did so. When he was confronted with a sinner he told them to “go and sin no more.” Do we do that? Nope. We push them to the fringe of the church and hope they change their sinful ways; but we never confront the sin. We just close our eyes, shake our heads, and “pray” for a miraculous intervention. Heaven forbid we show them what the Bible says about their lifestyle/actions/habits and risk hurting their feelings, resulting in them leaving the church. Even Christ encountered people who rejected him because it meant they’d have to change their ways (the story of the rich man).
What a reaction! Maybe your prep is over - just share the responses.
I’m wondering if we don’t really have a Christian caste system where, based on certain “important” parameters, we’re assigned to some level of “acceptance” and dared to get out of it?
Then, I really believe that most (almost all?) Christians have no concept of GRACE (God’s or anyone else’s.) I want to be a graceful Christian.
Finally, I feel a great need to get a handle on the GLORY of God. We’re clueless here.
Thanks for the challenge.
I hate how many Christians are afraid to get out of the comfort zone of the church bldg and do not think outside the bldg walls. I feel most of the same things that has been commented by others. I think there’s too many “feel good” and on the other end of the stick too many rebuking. There seems to be a problem with the middle. I hate man made doctrine that claims to be scriptural/Godly.
There!
A few things that frustrate me about the church(I myself am guilty of many of these as well):
The constant need to try to turn the Gospel that is told in story into pithy t-shirts and bumper stickers.
The constant need to self identify as a Christ follower.
Caring more about family and church rights(and subsequently tied to a pro-rich political agenda) when God’s word is clear that we as the church are a people for the world.
Giving easy answers to messy situations.
Caring more about trying to clean up media than about how we actually love others in our own neighborhood.
The constant need to tout things as the latest and greatest in the church.
The mentality that Christians need to always be positive and upbeat, while missing all the lament present in the Bible.
lack of authenticity to those that so desperately need it
We’ve stretched, prodded, pushed, pulled, and removed the reality of who Christ truly was. We’re called to follow the Rabbi, be covered in the dust of His feet. Thus saying, we replicate our lives after His. I think as a whole, the church has a very skewed view of who He was and is. We’ve pushed ourselves to opposite extremes and transformed Jesus into the person we want Him to be. I think that’s what bothers me …
I hate that Jesus loved even the lowliest of prostitutes, yet today’s “Christians” can’t find it in themselves to accept ANYONE who isn’t just like them. When did hate become a Christian virtue? Ghandi was right…
Christians who try to make God’s Law conform to their lifestyles rather than complying to God’s Law in their lives.
I think I have been saying exactly what you articulated in your piece. What gets under my skin is Christians who live like they don’t know Christ.
We ( Christians ) are as trapped by fear as anyone in this world. We don’t REALLY trust God. We THINK it’s all up to us…We have a hard time examining things we have set up as idols… We think it’s up to us to USE our gifts when in fact what we really need to do is SUBMIT our gifts….big, big difference my friend.
I love Oswald Chambers. The guy writes truth. He writes things that are hard to hear sometimes, but bang on.
This is something I wrote as I walk the walk of doing this Christian life in a more authentic way:
I’m a recovering business - administrator.
Previously driven by all things productive, motivational and rewardable.
Currently driven by all things true, honest and pure.
Previously devoted to things to fill the void.
Currently devoted to nothing that serves myself.
Previously devoted to acceptance and admiration of others.
Currently devoted to redeeming things others have passed by,
passed on, passed over or dismissed.
Life is too short to be plagued with worry, with fear and with
any sniff of doubt.
Life was made to be whole, complete and find it’s purpose in
redemption.
I’m a Wife. I’m a Mom. I’ve lived to be older than my Mother.
I understand the fragility of life.
I understand the permanence of kind words, actions and love
for those placed in our lives.
I live very far from perfection, but I am being perfected.
I live far very far from having it all, but I am supplied for.
I fight against wanting more and am learning to live with less.
I fight against judgement and am learning to live in awe of the gifts within others.
I fight for others on the things that matter. I fight against things unseen.
I am a warrior.
I am wholly REPURPOSED.
Whatever happened to the word “sin?” It seems to have dropped from the modern Christian vocabulary. It’s ok to believe something is wrong, and it’s ok to say you believe it’s wrong. That’s not judging. Christians seem weak when they fall back on the judging thing as an excuse to fear the word sin.
You can accept people without condoning what you don’t agree with. My best friend is someone with whom I have many differences of opinion, religious and otherwise, but SHE’s my best friend, not her opinions. She loves me and I love her. She laughed at my political sign in the front yard - and I laughed with her, because I knew she’d NEVER vote for my choices, and vice versa!
The Imp, I’m sorry you’ve experienced hate from people who are “Christians.” I hope that you don’t judge us all by those. My sign may not look yours at the demonstration, but I don’t hate. (Ok, there’s someone who was severely cruel to me as a child and to my family - long story - and who admittedly I haven’t forgiven, and I struggle with my feelings about her, but it’s still not right to hate…)
Thank you, I love this post. I have been lurking for months on your blog and honestly…it has renewed been a true renewal for me.
What bothers me most about Christians is that we are afraid to be moved. We are afraid to stand up…we are afraid of persecution for believing in what we believe…that somehow this might offend someone.
We have become complacent and tolerant of hatred toward ourselves, toward our God and toward our beliefs. It’s ok for us to fight for our beliefs. It’s ok to stand up and not tolerate the same hatred for which we are accused.
Thanks…once more for moving the spirit in my complacent, christian soul.
What drives me really nuts about these people who claim to follow Jesus only do it when it’s convenient for them. Personally, I’m just a lost soul desperately trying to find my way back, and failing miserably.
I have to say that what bothers me the most about Christians is their ignorance of God’s Word the Bible, and how little they actually read it for themselves. I think far more of us would be like Christ if we were really reading God’s Word for ourselves, seeking the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and guidance, instead of simply listening to what other people think God’s Word says - or who are simply expressing their “christian” opinion.
How can we be more like Christ? By studying his life, his words, and imitating him. We can’t truly imitate what we don’t know intimately.
There’s the rub. Too many Christians simply don’t know Christ intimately. They only know others who know him, or claim to know him. But he can be known. That’s what the Bible is for.
I’m afraid I could name a few things about Christians that drive me crazy. But for brevity’s sake, I’ll stick with one thing that’s been on my mind (or, perhaps, on my heart) for a while now. I have a lot of trouble with Christians who live in a “Christian bubble,” who are so insulated that they can’t relate to people who aren’t just like them. It’s as if everything about their lives has to have a “Christian” label on it: they only listen to what they consider Christian music, only read what they consider Christian books, have conversations only about “Christian” things, have only Christian friends, etc. (These things aren’t necessarily bad, but I don’t think it’s good when Christians use them to isolate themselves from everyone else). The danger of “bubble Christians” is that they become unable — or unwilling — to engage with, and to love, people who are messed up, or hurting, or difficult. Walking with broken people through their pain and their problems can be uncomfortable, frustrating and exhausting. And if we truly love others more than we love ourselves, it means the things that hurt them will hurt us. It’s not easy. But it’s what Jesus did; he dove right in and interacted intimately with they very people most of society didn’t want to deal with.
I can only speak from personal experience, Those things that have personally dettered me in my walk, and what’s left of it.
I was raised in the church setting from childhood and broke away from that whole mentality when I turned 18 or so. I don’t connect myself with the church or Christianity at all in my life anymore, I still believe in One God and Christ, but, I cannot come to call myself Christian.
I was in a large church, and unlike others I’ve heard who attended such sized places, I didn’t feel lost or alone. I’m at home in a crowd. However I felt at home in the Older crowd, not the Teen youth crowds where I was designated to learn.
Perhaps it’s wrong of me to hold the youth of Christianity to the same standards as the adults of the faith. They seemed hollow, they show up early to talk and share with each other, but so often newcomers were ignored or otherwise brushed away. There would be times that my school activities (required for graduation) would get in the way of the mid weekly services or youth groups, and I would always hear “Oh, we missed you last week, where were you?” and so often, I would have no idea who these people were outside of their name and whose son or daughter they were, they never talked to me.
Or worse it would seem as though when we went on retreats or missions, I’d form connections with the girls in my cabins and sleeping groups. We’d share what we learned and felt in our personal studies, we’d grow into what seemed like great friends. We’d pour out our hearts and cry with each other of things we were too ashamed to admit in a normal group. Still once we returned to the church, all that was erased, I’d approach them and start to talk, and it seemed as though they’d no idea who I was.
I began venturing into the Young Adult study groups and worships, hoping to find that with older ages would come… older mindsets I suppose. Truer ‘Christians’ and not facades. I was the youngest in the groups, they let me join when I was 17 despite being so young, and all I found was the same, with more intelligent conversation. Studies seemed to always be stuck in the basic books, Genesis, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. with side studies in Proverbs and Psalms.
Don’t get me wrong they are wonderful books to study, but so often it seems like the things people ‘learn’ are the fluffy feel good aspects of the Faith. So when I hit 18, I gave one last attempt to find my place in the church, the area where, not everything was perfect, but at least I wasn’t looked at for actually reading other parts of the Bible.
For a time I found myself actually being stimulated by Bible studies and learned from the other study members and their walks. Unfortunately circumstance of my personal life began to eat into the church as well.
There was physical sexual abuse within my life that I cannot blame the church for. I can understand the mentality of forgiving one another. Without going into the details too much (I admit hiding behind the tag of anonymous still doesn’t give me the guts to post this openly online), my church let someone they KNEW was a sexual offender, a pedophile, who had Confessed to the acts to the Pastors, work with children in the nursery. Long after they knew. Even as they counseled him for his ’sickness.’
Then I heard whispers as the information inevitably leaked out. One of the few girls I found friendship in (Another who was often ‘pushed aside’ like I was)
was not allowed to be my friend anymore. Her words, not mine, or rather her mother’s words through her mouth. Others both youth and older seemed to go out of their way to avoid me. The pastors, with the exceptions of two, never returned hellos or met my gaze, when they had before. I heard the words whore and slut a few times as I caught glances in my direction. Somehow i had gone from being the victim of abuse to being the Mary Magdalene with now Christ to reprimand their taunts.
Eventually everything compounded upon itself to cause me to grow physically ill anytime I stepped into the church. I’ve yet to manage to attend any church and not feel the same. To not feel that somehow, some way, despite having four states between me and that church, that my ‘reputation’ is like the mark of Cain, visible in some form to everyone, forever on my face, and I’m unable to escape it. When I step into the doorway I feel eyes on me and can’t help but hear the words from my former friends, and their parents “Whore,” “Slut,” “You aren’t Christian enough to be my friend.”
I didn’t mean to dump this on you, I really didn’t, but do know that as I read this post, in truth as I read most of your posts, I don’t feel this way towards you. Your are not my Church, and I know this. YOU and many of your commentors (I say many because I cannot in fact read all comments but I’m sure by and large they are also wonderful) are kind, wonderful, caring people. I find my faith in the Faith renewed with each loving Christian i meet. But the separates cannot make up for my experience with the whole. Not yet.
I’m not even sure if I answered your call for help… I’m sorry if I haven’t. I started with the intention of probably just adding to the usual reponses of “Judgemental, not Christ like, and white washed,” it just escalated from there. Still, my attempt to help you has helped me, and I thank you for that.
Please continuing inspiring my faith in others.
Perhaps I’m not hopeless yet.
Wow, we’ve got a whole lot of work to do. Sounds like we need to apologize first for all of the damage we have caused and then get on with loving people, eh? Love Wins.
I profess to be a Christian. I read my Bible everyday. I am unchurched. I struggle and fail every day in my faith, in my attempts to be Christlike, in my relationships. I desire to be a better, loving person and I know that without my Lord, I would not be the person that I am. I used to think Christians were hypocrites. I’ve learned that the followers of Christ are very human. They struggle with faith and their relationship to Christ and others and they fail just like I do. I/they do not become a robot that automatically does what is right or “Christian”. I am trying to be more transparent in my walk, since that is the way His light is able to shine through me. It is hard though and I admit that I fall short much more than I succeed.
I can’t stand the cookie cutter christian…and their lack of being genuine.
Some pastors…get on my nerves… I had a youth minister when I was growing up who later turned into a pastor of a church. We meet at skyline shortly after my dad passed away… I thought he was going to help me get through the rough time with not having my dad around….nope silly me…he fed me all this crap about how the church I was going to was wrong and evil (which was the tri-county vineyard at the time) and how every time he talks to me I am going to different church and how that it is unhealthy. He started to feed me all of this theology that I did not even want to hear…I felt like I was back in school. Worse lunch I ever had to sit through. I lost all respect for him.
I guess what I hate the most is the ‘in bitching’. I also find that christians can be the most judgemental, hypocritical, un-loving, un-compassionate, un-just-about-everything-christ-like… It hurts my heart so much. My church has been through 4 splits in 25 years… I’ve been there for 2.5 of them (so I’m not the common denominator *wink*) and everytime it was the same people at the root of it, with the same reasons. I have never seen such cruelty or nastiness come from people who profess to LOVE.
I am not a christian, but I do like your blog and the message you try to give. Sometimes christians need to look into their own worlds with honest eyes and try to practice what they preach, lead by example.
I am most bothered by judgment and condemnation. Jesus himself said He came to this world not to condemn, but to save. That doesn’t mean we should be “tolerant” of sinful behavior — we certainly shouldn’t accept it, nor ignore it or condone it. But we need to adopt the approach of “love the sinner, hate the sin” — beginning with that within ourselves personally, within the church and toward pre-Christians. Each and every one of us has “stuff” in our lives that we’re vulnerable to, weaknesses where we fail — which is why we need Jesus. If we Christians viewed ourselves with that type of humility and THAT is the what others saw in the message we convey through our words, deeds and actions (rather than judgmentalism and hypocrisy) — then maybe people would not only love our Christ, but maybe they’d like us, too.
My issue isn’t with Christians per se, but those who say they are Christian but behave the way Jen described above. The judgemental, uncompassionate, hateful, detremental, etc. behavior isn’t Christian in my humble opinion. I’m not talking about a Christian who has moments of un-Christian-like behavior. They are human and not perfect after all. I’m referring to the individuals who behave in such a manner constantly/chronically/relentlessly.
What bothers me is the old saying, they talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk. I accepted Jesus at age 13, am now 60 and have been in church almost all my life. I have raised 2 children have 4 grandbabies and am so bothered by backbiting and non acceptance of people unless they fit a certain image and conform to a certain mold. My son and daughter in law have numerous tattooes and people (some, not all people) automatically judge them. They are two of the most dedicated christians I know. I know God has worked on me through them to learn to be less judgmental and more open minded and to look on the inside, not the outside.
I’ve been reading quite a few of these comments with the recurring theme of judgment, which helped to clarify a thought for me. I guess the fact that so many Christians judge one another’s church doctrines seems divisive to me among the body of Christ. Such as: Saturday or Sunday worship; do or don’t play cards, dance, movies; speak in tongues, don’t speak in tongues; to kneel before the Lord or stand; how, when or who can partake of Communion. I understand these differences occur people have varied opinions, but these days it’s the world against Christianity and we really should be buddying up together for strength. We had our kids in Christian school named Grace Baptist and, honestly, Grace was the last thing on their curriculum. Our son has grown to deny Christ over this. I am praying for him, would you also?
This is a great post of your’s Pastor Ryan. I’m returning to learn how the Lord uses you with it.
It’s graceless when Christians want to play the martyr when somebody discusses their displeasure with how Christians behave. It is also frustrating when said martyrs make assumptions about other people.
When we MAJOR on the MINORS…
What an interesting question and what great responses from your readers. I’ve been thinking about your post ever since it showed up.
2 things that I can say frustrate me about Christians (and I’m writing this from my point of view… I’m Christian and face these frustrations every day of life)….
First, it is very easy to keep life comfortable and never leave the boundaries of “Christian” living: only doing “church” things, only having Christian (and preferably from the same church/small group) friends. This is safe, doesn’t require much commitment or thought, and lets you believe that you’re doing just what you need to be doing because “how bad can I be if everything I do or everyone I associate with is Christian”. I am happy my children are so involved in things at church (or even at other churches since we partipate in sports programs that are a little closer to home). Bad, bad, bad thinking because we’ve been told by Jesus - “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15 (NIV).
The other extreme, which is also easy to fall into, is to be too much in the world. There are so many things that I could be doing instead of helping grow my children into good, responsible, adults who adore and worship God. My husband and I (married 21 years) could be involved in so many adult social activities, sports, school events, committees, etc. all in an effort to show the world what great people we are. I have occasional hissy fits that “I” need to come first for a change, that what “I” want is more important, “I” this, and “I” that. None of this shows the world an inkling of who God is and what Christ has done for my (and my family’s) life. This will so often only serve to emphasize the bad things about Chritianity and reinforce the feeling to those searching to fill up the hole in their soul that God isn’t for them.
You had one commenter question out of country missions. I feel that these are so important to those areas they go into. Religion (of any variety) has often been completely forbidden for years, so these people have no one to look to for instruction. One example of this is many of the societies who venerate seniors - they won’t listen to a younger person, but have no one older who is a Believer. Our seniors who feel led to go and teach have such a wonderful story they can present to people who would not hear it any other way. There are others who work with groups with the specific aim of creating missionaries from that people group’s own people, and then stepping out of the way. I hope that this may help the commenter feel a bit better about overseas missions. You will find Christians who feel a strong pull for local missions, as well and I believe a sign of a strong church is the amount of local work they do, as well as overseas trips.
I leave Luke 12 for your consideration, particularly verses 22-34. I hope this first post wasn’t too long.
I hate a lot of things about Christians and the church and I’m a Christian. I came so close to leaving everything behind this summer. I was one of those 2% who do everything at the church I went to, while most people sat by and watched. I saw A LOT of ugliness, especially from leadership. I too hate that a lot of churches are run like a business. Less about the people actually going there and the community and more about numbers. Most churches could care LESS about the homeless people living a block from their over sized fancy MEGA buildings. Jesus walked AMONG the sinners. Most christians don’t even know people truly in need.
I think this is a great post. It looks like Catalyst was a lot of fun!
As for your question… I want to preface it with I don’t know if I am a Christian or not. I like to think that I am. At least, I have Christian ideals set in my mind. I very much believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost. Nothing will ever change that. I am just unsure as to what God really is - is it an unseen force that has no body? Or is God a big man up in the sky? I don’t know what to believe. I somewhat feel guilty for questioning, but I know that I cannot stop myself from doing that.
I guess I must say that a lot of my frustrations come with not understanding. I don’t understand how Christians (at least those claiming to be) can claim to love everyone, and say that we’re all sons and daughters in the eyes of God yet discriminate against certain individuals. Are we not all equals in the eyes of God? I guess this is stemming from the fact that I just recently found out my best friend of many many years is gay. I’m having to deal with seeing my him discriminated against every day, seeing his Christian family look down on him and nearly disown him as it ‘is not right’, see him live in fear. He cannot step foot inside his church anymore out of sheer fear of what would be said to him. Nobody approves. It’s not fair. I just don’t see why we all don’t have compassion for everyone. Maybe they need reaching out as well.
Another thing I dislike is that why must we bash on every other church? Yes, some churches are run differently. Maybe they have little differences in their beliefs. But does that mean that we should condemn them and say that everything they teach is wrong? I don’t think so. We’re all studying the same thing - the Bible. The word of God. We’re learning about the love that Jesus Christ spread. We’re not here to learn about how wrong the Southern Baptist church is, or how if you attend a Methodist church, you are on a road straight for hell. I don’t see the point in that. I don’t see what it accomplishes. This also goes for other religions. Judaism, Buddhism, Muslim, Greek Orthodox, etc. Can we not be tolerant of everyone and understand that we are not all the same, and there are many religions out there?
I know I’ve posted this before, but my church figure in my life did not help the situation. My father did not do some very nice things to my family. His actions alone tore my family apart, and it will never be the same. My mother will never be the same. I have to see her struggling daily with the fact that the love of her life left her, and he is still with that woman. My mom has to struggle with memories of being harassed by my father and his girlfriend, while she was trying to keep my brother and I safe at home.
And this was my Christian figure in life. I just don’t understand.
I know I rambled on, and most may not make sense. But it’s what I was feeling at the time I was writing - and I don’t think I should go back and change it.
I want nothing more than to find my place in the eyes of God. I want to be able to find a place where I can worship, and show compassion in God. However, I’m just having a hard time since I’m questioning, and I have no idea where to go from here.
We’ll see where I end up.
Failure.
in a word: pretty
I hate that Christians seem to think we have to be pretty, that our lives have to be pretty, We act as though sactification isn’t a bloody messy sacrificial job that requires the community to be the hands of Christ and participate actively… We act as if sin doesn’t deeply damage people. Sometimes we act as if damaged people deserve it even if the sin wasn’t theirs. Christians act as if God’s big plan for us is to be comfortable when he called us to pick up our cross and follow him, when he said blessed are those persecuted for my name, when he warned that the servant won’t be treated better than his master.
We act as if “pretty” is more important than honoring Jesus in almost every way imaginable.
It is wonderful to be able to say so…
It really disturbs me that so many Christians who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus are so close-minded about those who do not share their beliefs. That they can be so hateful because of a difference in opinion on an issue, like abortion or evolution or the structure of our religions.
Open your hearts, people.
Whenever you ask a question and ask for a response, I wander around contemplating how I want to respond. I read this post shortly after you put it up. I kept trying to decide which thing about Christians and church bothered me most. A strange thing happened. Every time, I figured out what bothered me most about Christians, I realized that it was what bothered ME most about MY OWN Christian walk. Suddenly I was realizing that my finger just kept pointing right back at me.
Interesting.
Contemplation complete.
I am not Christian. I am not religious at all, but I like your blog and the positive message it sends. Unfortunately that isn’t the message I see a lot of Christians sending.
We’re all human, we’re all judgmental and imperfect, but many of the Christian people I meet, especially the ones who are most vocal and “in your face” about being so are especially judgmental. It also seems like they fear or hate (or both, they go hand in hand) anyone who is different from them.
I am not a fan of religion mainly because I see so many people of all faiths behaving like cattle, regurgitating what they are told but never stopping to think about or question what it means or whether they agree with it. Its not a sin to think about things, to examine what you really believe, and to question what you are told instead of being a mindless drone who doesn’t even practice what they preach because they don’t really understand what it means.
Mary, I love your comment. We were fortunate to be able to have our two children in Christian school. When my daughter was 14 she chose to attend the public high school close to us. We put our son in public school in the 4th grate the next year. (I’d become unhappy with the Christian school they were in a couple of years prior. Too much favoritism, nepotism, supporting of “ministers” who we consider bad news.)
While our kids got a great start spiritually, my husband and I both admit to having been “scared” away from the whole public school thing. My daughter did just fine. She is a very strong person, picky about her friends, etc. My son - well, he’ll have issues wherever he goes. We need prayer about that one.
My daughter’s favorite teacher at the Christian school went to teach at a public school. The way she explained it to me was so clear. She said that Christians too often try to insulate themselves from what they deem harmful. If Christians kept only to themselves, their worlds, their churches, their schools, their music, their everything, how would they expect to be able to relate to anyone else? It’s our job to be there for people. All people. Just like Jesus.
I have a hard time with hypocritical people in general, but when it come from my “Christan” it hits a whole ‘nother nerve. A whole lot deeper. A whole lot more painful.
I wish I had time to read all the comments. This was a powerful post. I love versus 6-8 and think they are so poignant for me right now as I keep wondering just what I should be doing.
As far as Christians…Around here people say that you can love the church despite its members. There is so much keeping up with the Jones, but not in a Christlike way in my opinion. I hate how they don’t respect everyone at their level of dedication, and instead feel like it is a race to be more Mormon than the next person (I know some people don’t think Mormon’s are Christians, but having read their book I believe they are.) There is so much judgment that it often feels like they have lost sight with the continual goal of transforming ourselves into our best self, which may or may not add up to their best self. Hypocrisy is a whole other issue, one that I think a lot of people struggle with Christian or otherwise, myself included. But when it is on a much grander scale and up at the podium, it is harder to feel Christlike towards that person who so strongly judges you.
That so many now thing they need a huge - no, monstrously huge, expensive building to draw people to them….instead of going out to where the people already are.
And of course that should be think. And I have two left hands today.
We do not love. And we do not realize that we require the Holy Spirit moment-by-moment in order to love.
Wow, I dont know how I missed this! In my experience, no offense, of course, religious people in general that I have met, soo totally do not act like it. Christians in my own life are the most backstabbing and cruel people, but they had behind the fact they are “christians”, which makes everything OK
I’m really late to comment on this post…
As someone who grew up in a baptist church and now considers herself “agnostic” at best. I find that my frustrations about christianity come from extremists.
- Lack of tolerance for other religions, race, and marriage equality
- Lack of questioning and thinking about faith
- Lack of interest in religious theory and history (knowing the true origins of christianity and the other religions that existed before christianity that are vastly similar)
- Christian leaders who use their power to manipulate people politically and monetarily
- Paying for a spiritual experience
- Creationism
With all of these things that annoy me, its hard for me not to come to your website and respect what you say. I feel like you are unlike a lot Christians I’ve met.
I am not a christian nor have I ever read the bible. I try to live my life being kind to my fellow humans. I do not judge them. I do not see age or skin color. If someone needs help, I will do everything I can to help. I try to tread lightly on the Earth. I respect all living creatures and would never kill an animal for pleasure. When I consume meat, I am grateful for the animal that gave it’s life so that I may sustain mine. I am conscious of my actions and how they may affect others.
My issue with most christians I know is that they don’t abide by these simple rules that I live by but yet they will judge me for not going to church. They will turn their back when a friend needs help. They hunt for trophy. They won’t recycle. They could care less how their behavior affects others.
Why do I read your blog if I’m not a christian? Because your message is so “non-christian”. I admire the work you do and I hope your message inspires others to make the world a better place.
As a Chirstian myself, I don’t care for people that push their beliefs on me. We can do our own thing or even the same thing, but don’t try to tell me your way is better, unless I ask.
Also, when I am able to attend church, I feel like an outsider. Granted I am in some ways, but for Lord’s sake ask my name or ask how I’ve been. I’m not a freak, but I’d say I have a friendly enough face to recognize. Sheesh. It goes both ways folks. I can’t stand asking how someone is and get a blank stare or a nod in return. I have a pretty firm grasp on our church members, and I’m positive they’re not deaf.
one word: cliquish
…and Jesus didn’t have no clique.
I have spent the past 2 hours reading the comments and thinking what drives me nuts or saddens me. I can honestly say that what makes me the saddest is that I, as a believer, have not share my love for Jesus with everyone I have met. Not sure if I was scared or just not faithful enough, that as a believer of God I have had my “moments” were I am so on fire for God that people watch me burn and I have shared my love for him. But there have also been moments were I’ve had the opportunity to change people’s lives and regreted later not have done anything about it. The thing that drives me nuts is not to be on fire for God at all times.
I just pray that we can all take time to have a closer relationship with God and share it with others, just living life wherever you are at. You don’t have to be a everyday church goer, or a life catalyst, to change someones life. Love life, love what you do and share it with others.
Ryan, thanks for taking the time to be real. Love wins! Love u man! MB
I’m a little late on the ball here… as usual… it took me awhile to respond and I am still reading the comments of others yet… but I didn’t want to take up too much room, so I put my comment in my own blog… it can be read if anyone cares to take a boo… Thank you Ryan for being so out there, honest, real, caring for people and their thoughts and opinions… you ARE a reflection of Jesus light and love on the world! God bless You Ryan and your lovely family! {{{hugs}}}
http://mom2my4gr8boys.blogspot.com/2008/11/judge-not-lest-ye-be-judged.html
ps. does basic html work in your comments? I can use it some, but don’t want to mess things up
ttfn!