COVID-19 Lockdown, Day 98

Today was an okay day. I had a meeting at church with a few anonymous members of the congregation about why a comrade and I were resigning as elders of the church I currently attend. Well, let's just say that it was almost exactly how I anticipated. Let's just say that there was behavior of some Christians that was not very Christ-like. Let's just say that I received more reminders of how age and maturity are not always parallel. Let's just say that this particular congregation, as a few of them keep drilling holes in a sinking ship, has only a about 2-3 years, tops, before they shut their doors. Let's just say that people like those I have mentioned are part of the reason why churches close and their children and grandchildren abandon the faith. Hence, let's just say, or rather sing, the following parody:

You treat people like roaches, you treat people like tools
You treat people like roaches, you treat people like tools
And you think you're the Savior to protect the church from “fools”
But they'll know you're a Christian by your love, by your love
Yes, they'll know you're a Christian by your love.


You are cold to the visitors and rude to the flock
You are cold to the visitors and rude to the flock
And to those who will challenge you, you'll reprimand and balk
Yet they'll know you're a Christian by your love, by your love
Yes, they'll know you're a Christian by your love.


You'll berate the parishioners who don't look like you
You'll degrade the parishioners who don't think like you
You're a fraud and a hypocrite, but one day, you'll be through
Still they'll know you're a Christian by your love, by your love
Yes, they'll know you're a Christian by your love.

Before I continue, if anyone dislikes what I have written, come to be directly. I remind you that chattering about this to others, especially to create scandal or to anger someone who might be offended (who has not even been invited to read this) is gossip, which is a sin.

Why, oh, why can I not find a church that teaches sound doctrine and does not inhibit growth? Why do people treat churches like social clubs or family heritage lodges instead of places of growth and healing? Why  must churches insist on being like the churches of Ephesus and Sardis instead of Smyrna and Philadelphia? Do they not realize that they world they grew up in, where Christians worshiped comfortably and were expected to attend services regularly, is gone? There are people who say they are Christians that stopped attending church because of people like those I spoke to. There are those who grow up witnessing such nonsense and then leave home and denounce Christianity as a religion full of hate-filled bigots. No wonder Christians have lost so much respect in this country: it is because of mean-spirited, gossiping busybodies who are obsessed with control. Do these people care about their impact on others? NO! They still would rather be comfortable and persist in their "good old boy" routine. Jesus has harsh words for such people: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." 

Can you tell that I am angry? I am just frustrated by how those who strive to spread the Gospel are hindered by those who wish to socialize and play church. Unless they repent, they will answer for their behavior on the Day of Judgement, if not in this life by their consciences and the memories of their ancestors!

--Signing off.

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