One thing that I've noticed as I get
older is that the church population (meaning people that attend a church
regularly) have a very powerful reputation in the eyes of people who don't
frequent church very often. Many people that don't make going to church a
priority of theirs often say similar things when they talk about why they do
not attend church. And yes, I am speaking specifically on people who have a
belief in Christianity. Here's some of the main reasons I
personally hear:
1) "Church folk" are too judgmental and hypocritical
2) There is too much drama and confusion within the church
3) "Church folk" are very nosy
4) Church is ran more like a business than a place to worship God
On the reverse side of the equation, I have been told by people who make church a priority that people make excuses about why they cannot attend church. It's more a lack of discipline and commitment to GOD than it is about any reason/excuse.
I even had someone tell me several years ago that in order to be "saved" you have to fellowship in church and if you did not attend church then you were not truly a "saved soul". I'm not really sure what Bible they were reading but hey, I love them nonetheless.
I (personally) was not raised in church. I do come from a strong spiritual family where my Grandfather was a Pastor and most of my family were raised in church as well. I was taught many scriptures and stories from my parents but I cannot say that I was ever an active member of any church. I did attend Vacation Bible School all the time as a kid though, not sure if that counts for anything. *Shrugs*
But with all of this information, I believe that truth resides on both sides to some extent. And here's why...
First of all I'm going to address the people who are turned off by what they believe goes on inside most churches -
YES. There are PLENTY of people in church who may judge you, be nosy, hypocritical, they may have just got done screwing half the congregation and all that other fun jazz that happens in life. HOWEVER, can't you say that about ANYONE? Not just people in church. If there are people out here in the world as a whole who judge, who are hypocrites, who stir up drama, who make it their business to stay in yours....then why not uplift yourself in a church? I think that it is important to attend a church because it's spiritual exercise. It challenges your flesh (that wants things that is not always good for you) to be better and to live the way God would want you to live. It is there for you to listen and be inspired by the lives of others so that you can learn and grow from their journey. Don't ever let a few ignorant people who may lose sight of why they're in church to keep you away from growing your relationship with God.
And for the ones who are active in church every Sunday, I would hope that it's more of a natural reflex to invite people into the house of God rather than cast judgment. Church attendance does not equal "saved". Sorry. Finding your husband, talking about who has on what, or talking about who did what to whom should not make the top of your priority or conversational list in church. [Note to church folk who judge others harshly] read Matthew 7:2 ~~~~~~~
Judge not, lest ye be judged...For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged also.
And it's so funny how in my own life, I am a living and walking testimony to how I've SEEN people who judged me in particular ways had to eat those words by going through the same crap. I was ridiculed and judged for not leaving a troubled relationship, then the person judging me had to go through the same situation where she was dogged out and didn't know how to leave. I was judged at one point for mishandling money/finances, then the person developed a gambling addiction.
Point blank: God wants us all to connect and love one another. Especially the ones who are the hardest people to love. Often times, that's our test. How can we appreciate growth if we start out being giants from day one? Think about it.
1) "Church folk" are too judgmental and hypocritical
2) There is too much drama and confusion within the church
3) "Church folk" are very nosy
4) Church is ran more like a business than a place to worship God
On the reverse side of the equation, I have been told by people who make church a priority that people make excuses about why they cannot attend church. It's more a lack of discipline and commitment to GOD than it is about any reason/excuse.
I even had someone tell me several years ago that in order to be "saved" you have to fellowship in church and if you did not attend church then you were not truly a "saved soul". I'm not really sure what Bible they were reading but hey, I love them nonetheless.
I (personally) was not raised in church. I do come from a strong spiritual family where my Grandfather was a Pastor and most of my family were raised in church as well. I was taught many scriptures and stories from my parents but I cannot say that I was ever an active member of any church. I did attend Vacation Bible School all the time as a kid though, not sure if that counts for anything. *Shrugs*
But with all of this information, I believe that truth resides on both sides to some extent. And here's why...
First of all I'm going to address the people who are turned off by what they believe goes on inside most churches -
YES. There are PLENTY of people in church who may judge you, be nosy, hypocritical, they may have just got done screwing half the congregation and all that other fun jazz that happens in life. HOWEVER, can't you say that about ANYONE? Not just people in church. If there are people out here in the world as a whole who judge, who are hypocrites, who stir up drama, who make it their business to stay in yours....then why not uplift yourself in a church? I think that it is important to attend a church because it's spiritual exercise. It challenges your flesh (that wants things that is not always good for you) to be better and to live the way God would want you to live. It is there for you to listen and be inspired by the lives of others so that you can learn and grow from their journey. Don't ever let a few ignorant people who may lose sight of why they're in church to keep you away from growing your relationship with God.
And for the ones who are active in church every Sunday, I would hope that it's more of a natural reflex to invite people into the house of God rather than cast judgment. Church attendance does not equal "saved". Sorry. Finding your husband, talking about who has on what, or talking about who did what to whom should not make the top of your priority or conversational list in church. [Note to church folk who judge others harshly] read Matthew 7:2 ~~~~~~~
Judge not, lest ye be judged...For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged also.
And it's so funny how in my own life, I am a living and walking testimony to how I've SEEN people who judged me in particular ways had to eat those words by going through the same crap. I was ridiculed and judged for not leaving a troubled relationship, then the person judging me had to go through the same situation where she was dogged out and didn't know how to leave. I was judged at one point for mishandling money/finances, then the person developed a gambling addiction.
Point blank: God wants us all to connect and love one another. Especially the ones who are the hardest people to love. Often times, that's our test. How can we appreciate growth if we start out being giants from day one? Think about it.
