Dear God

Dear God,

It’s me again.

I’m still having a difficult time relating to my fellow Christians. Election time here in the U.S. makes it especially tough.

As you know, very little surprises me any more, but a friend’s Facebook status genuinely caught me off guard this weekend. Here it is:

“Are you looking for a president who will protect the unborn child's right to be murdered in its mother’s womb? OBAMA is your candidate. Wake up people!”

Strangely, the “wake up” portion is what I found most offensive. You know I haven’t been asleep or ignoring the issues in this election. I have trouble understanding why every election season, there are many believers for whom the singular issue of abortion decides how they will vote. Frankly, I don’t think it is me who needs to wake up. Yes, I can see the importance of continued discussions about abortion (especially in light of recent comments by Republican Congressmen Todd Akin and Joe Walsh), but there are SO MANY other issues also at stake.

Even if we were to focus the conversation on abortion, Romney isn’t exactly it’s most vehement opponent. Last week he told the Des Moines Register that he wouldn’t pursue abortion legislation if elected president. So, why then is Romney the logical choice for the many Christians? Why are they so confident that he will protect the unborn?

I’ve been reading the biblical book of Acts. In the second chapter it talks about how the believers sold their possessions and goods and gave to anyone in need. Doesn’t this sound like the socialism Republicans adamantly oppose and criticize? Aren’t Obama’s health care plan, budgetary priorities, social programs and tax plan much more in line with what is described in Acts 2:45, than what Romney and the Republicans are suggesting? Shouldn’t our focus be on “Pro-living”, and not just pro-life? For Christians and all Americans, shouldn't education, helping those in need, and ending wars be on an equal playing field to saving the unborn? Let’s also aid the living and make some societal progress.

“In essentials, unity;
in non-essentials, liberty;
in all things, charity.”

- St. Augustine

My frustrations are many, Lord. I pray that you would help me during this election season not to lose my cool, my faith or my friendships. Help me to express my opinions in love and not anger. Help me to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1: 19). Help me to remain unified with my fellow believers in the essential truths of our faith.

I pray that Christians throughout America would carefully consider ALL of the issues at stake in this election, and that You would provide wisdom to guide and direct their decision making.

Amen.

Why Go To Church?

I vented in my last post by providing a top 10 list of "Why I Hate Going to Church".  So, if going to church is such a drag for me, perhaps you're wondering why I bother attending?  I'll be honest in telling you that some weeks it is a real struggle. 

This post is written more for my benefit, than any other reason.  In my wife's blog, she recently expressed her desire to be more intentional in all aspects of her life.  I have tremendous respect for this approach.  Here's my attempt to identify and be clear regarding my motivations in heading out each Sunday morning:

• At this stage in life, raising my kids properly is a primary focus.  I want them to grow up benefiting from biblical/spiritual and moral training.  To an extent, this can be done at home, but I appreciate having the input of others too.  Plus, according to David Murrow's book, there is a much greater chance that my kids will continue in their faith as adults if I, as their father, attend church with them.

• I am a Christian, a "follower of Christ".  In some people's eyes that might make me appear weak, foolish or illogical, but it's hard to disprove Jesus' historical existence.  I aspire to live my life according to his teachings.  No matter what your beliefs are, wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone tried to live like Jesus?  In addition to reading the Bible on my own, sermons and Sunday school classes can potentially provide valuable insight and reminders.   

• Although I often feel like an outsider at church, there are advantages to being part of "a community".  I do have some friends there, and my wife and I are benefiting from the parental mentorship we are receiving from older couples who have significantly more life experience and wisdom to share.

• The Bible makes it clear that God desires our worship.  The church we currently attend refers to both of their Sunday morning services as "worship services".  So, what is worship?  One simple definition is the expression of our love and appreciation to God.  There is much for which I am thankful, and I do this privately in prayer.  But, within so-called worship services, I must admit that I often feel like I'm enduring a form of musical torture.  For me, there is no worship during 60% of a Sunday morning service, ...but I digress.

• At least in theory, church makes it easy to serve our fellow man and God simultaneously.  I see this as a plus.

Yes, I have frustrations with church.  Maybe I haven't found the ideal church for me, but I'm beginning to think that place might not exist.  Maybe my spirit of dissatisfaction is a good thing. (At the risk of sounding "churchy", maybe God will use this in some way.)  I guess we'll see.

After reading my last blog post, a friend sent me the following video clip.  It's not exactly my style, but it certainly is relevant.

  

Why Men Hate Going To Church

I just finished reading the book "Why Men Hate Going To Church" by David Murrow.  During a period when I find myself "less than enthusiastic" about attending church, this book has helped me articulate and pinpoint some sources of my frustration.  I won't write a complete synopsis of the book here, but the basic premise is that over time, the Christian church has evolved into a culture which exclusively meets the needs of women and the elderly.  The number of men attending regularly has reduced significantly.  If churches want more men in their pews, changes must be made --- plain and simple.  Murrow has many practical suggestions for revamping church, and frankly, this is a book every pastor from every denomination should read.  I may even buy copies for the clergy in my life.

But for now, here is my TOP 10 LIST for "Why I Hate Going To Church":

10.  Politics preached from the pulpit.  Don't Christians realize that they are the easy target of political strategists such as Karl Rove?  Entire campaigns have been designed around the gullibility of Christians.

9.  I don't want to be stuck in a conversation with Ned Flanders!  (I'm not joking.)

8.  Resistance to change.  I love change.  Churches don't.

7.  "Christian-ese" and "prayer-speak" and "holy hands".  These staples of Christian culture make any visitor uncomfortable.  Have you ever noticed how Christians in evangelical churches talk and act in a way that one only encounters in Christian circles? 

6. How decisions are made:  The right choice is always the soft one.  Keep the existing people happy.  Defense always trumps offense in established, older churches.

5.  No clear call to action.  I don't remember the last time I left church fired up and ready to change the world.  Isn't that a problem?

4. Values and skills such as risk-taking, innovation, planning/goal-setting aren't upheld. I've offered ideas, but haven't seen any action taken. I could push, but question if it is worth the time and effort. See points 8 and 6.

3.  Lack of productivity.  It is time to start pruning ineffective ministries. 

2.  The music sucks.  Trust me, I'll be elaborating on this point later.

1.  Weekly "alter calls" to the same, already converted audience.  I don't think I have ever seen anyone go up front to declare that they are a sinner who plans to turn their life around.  If the system doesn't work, why keep doing it?  If evangelism is the goal, aren't there more effective ways to go about it?

When this much bothers me about church, the logical next question for you to ask is:  "So, why do you bother going?"  In my next post I'll try to answer this and "Why should churches care if men attend and if they are fully engaged?"

So men, here's your chance to vent:  What is it about church that gets under your skin?  Why do you choose not to attend, or if you go, why are you less than enthusiastic?