Moving On
We made the decision recently to leave our "traditional" Christian church and move on in our search of what God wants for our short human existence.
This is not a decision we make lightly, it took months of contemplation and discussion to decide. What it comes down to is that what we see in the organized American Church is not entirely what we see modeled by Jesus in the Bible.
Jesus spent his life on this earth showing us how to live, how to love and how to worship. He spent his days in the world, eating and drinking with the tax collectors and prostitutes as well as the leaders of the church. He made no distinction based on their "sin". He pointed out more sins in the organized church that among the common people. He did not just go out on Saturday afternoons to the soup kitchen and put in his time, he was involved in their lives. He loved them through not only his words, but through his actions.
I am ready to take the time, energy and money that we put into the traditional church and put it where Christ points. I want to show God's love to the people that would not be welcome in our church or that would be uncomfortable even walking through the doors of a "church" building. I want to have a barbecue and invite all of my atheist, wiccan, gay, christian and agnostic friends, have a beer and a meaningful animated conversation about beliefs with no judgment and call it church.
I am not saying that there is no place in society for the modern American church, because there is. It serves the community well but there are plenty of people willing to put in the time to teach Sunday School, have community events and help out in the soup kitchens.
I want to spend my time with the rest of the world, discussing the differences in our beliefs without judgment, working along side them when they need help, learning what they believe and why. I am fascinated by the history and basis for all religions and the common threads that run through them, I want to celebrate the similarities in our beliefs and debate the differences in love.
I hear stories of gay couples being turned away at the doors of a church or someone with different beliefs being arbitrarily told that they are going to hell and it makes me cry. Why has the church decided that gay people are not to be allowed in the doors, yet adulterers and gluttons are welcomed with open arms? We were told to love God and love each other, everything else is just details. Too often, these ideals get left behind. I want to show the rest of society that not all who follow Jesus are like that, we are not all represented by the bigoted talk show hosts on Fox News, that we do love them and accept them for who they are and want to live life together and share what we believe about God.
This is not a decision we make lightly, it took months of contemplation and discussion to decide. What it comes down to is that what we see in the organized American Church is not entirely what we see modeled by Jesus in the Bible.
Jesus spent his life on this earth showing us how to live, how to love and how to worship. He spent his days in the world, eating and drinking with the tax collectors and prostitutes as well as the leaders of the church. He made no distinction based on their "sin". He pointed out more sins in the organized church that among the common people. He did not just go out on Saturday afternoons to the soup kitchen and put in his time, he was involved in their lives. He loved them through not only his words, but through his actions.
I am ready to take the time, energy and money that we put into the traditional church and put it where Christ points. I want to show God's love to the people that would not be welcome in our church or that would be uncomfortable even walking through the doors of a "church" building. I want to have a barbecue and invite all of my atheist, wiccan, gay, christian and agnostic friends, have a beer and a meaningful animated conversation about beliefs with no judgment and call it church.
I am not saying that there is no place in society for the modern American church, because there is. It serves the community well but there are plenty of people willing to put in the time to teach Sunday School, have community events and help out in the soup kitchens.
I want to spend my time with the rest of the world, discussing the differences in our beliefs without judgment, working along side them when they need help, learning what they believe and why. I am fascinated by the history and basis for all religions and the common threads that run through them, I want to celebrate the similarities in our beliefs and debate the differences in love.
I hear stories of gay couples being turned away at the doors of a church or someone with different beliefs being arbitrarily told that they are going to hell and it makes me cry. Why has the church decided that gay people are not to be allowed in the doors, yet adulterers and gluttons are welcomed with open arms? We were told to love God and love each other, everything else is just details. Too often, these ideals get left behind. I want to show the rest of society that not all who follow Jesus are like that, we are not all represented by the bigoted talk show hosts on Fox News, that we do love them and accept them for who they are and want to live life together and share what we believe about God.
Well said Honey!
ReplyDeleteAs I live out my walk with the Lord I have struggled with this "church" thing. He calls us to be a part of church and what I once thought was meant to be four walls I have since discovered God's church does not have four walls. His church is made up of the people. I have experienced judgment and condemnation from the leaders of the traditional church and I am a Christian. I can only imagine how those who are not feel at the way they are treated by members of "the church". I take refuge in knowing that God is God, not man. I pray Amber that as you move on to what God is calling you, you do not lose sight of Jesus. Remember one of the most important common threads in all religions is the desire to be loved. God wants you to know He will provide you with the "unfailing love" that needs to be shared with ALL HIS CHILDREN!As you move into this new direction I as your friend and sister in Christ would love to be a part.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking to my blog. I hope you find my out of the box ideas on Christianity and culture of some help in your quest.
ReplyDeleteI hear your heart and I understand. My heart breaks when I hear of similar stories. As followers of Christ, we have some very difficult questions to ask ourselves...what a process! Maybe you would be interested in reading my blog as well: http://shaunamorgan.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteTim and I are here as you as you make these difficult decisions. Thanks for your honesty and open heart:)
Dear Amber and Brian,
ReplyDeleteNot all followers of the Church are bad. As an organization the traditional Church (replace Church with the local major religious institution for non U.S. geographies) it has to overcome the resistance to change which is so carefully embedded into any major organization. Whether its the 50 year old secretary resisting Windows in 1995 or the Salvation Army advising gay couples to keep their relationship asexual its this resistance to change that keeps minorities in peril. Whether its homosexuals everywhere in the 90s and 00s, black people in the U.s. in the 50s and 60s or the Harijans in India in the 40s or Jews in Germany in the 30s - religion has always been the pulpit upon which the misery of many has been built upon.
However the intrinsic good that a religious institution does cannot be overlooked either. Putting up soup kitchens, spiritual uplifting and counseling on a regular basis are all good efforts taken on by these insitutions on a regular basis.
However the fact that they are not taxed and the fact that they do morally apprehensive and blatantly criminal acts towards the most downtrodden makes me very very sad. The recent excommunication of a nun by the Catholic church for allowing a life saving abortion is one such example. Compare that with the same Churche's recorded history of protecting pedophile male priests and I don't see the presence of Jesus anywhere in them at all. Its all pope, pomp and subdued celebration.
As for your decision - more power to you and Brian on the same. We love you for that and hope your charities include St.Johns Shelter for Battered Women, Mustard Seed and my favorite stripper - also named Charity.
Love,
Tapandy and Manpan
HI Amber,
ReplyDeleteDo you remember years ago when we all did that study of Romans? Some hard truths in that book. We have to remember that this is God's world, and his justice may not make sense to us yet. The Christian church is made of some pretty imperfect people who are not always the best ambassadors for Christ. That is why people turn to cults. They judge Christ by his followers instead of by his life and resurrection. Our faith isn't just about who does the best job creating social justice. It is about boldly declaring that without Christ's perfect sacrifice and resurrection, all our benevolence is meaningless. When Jesus preached he gave mercy, help and healing, but he also never minced words about God's requirements for eternal life! You wouldn't think twice about warning someone if they were about to fall over a cliff. It is only right, and demonstrates love. Warning someone about their path is love too. "All roads lead to heaven" makes about as much sense as "all roads lead to my house". Jesus didn't say that. Jesus said "My path is narrow". Where ever you go I pray that you stay on the narrow path of Christ, and help others find that path too!
Love,
Carolyn Loo
Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, I know you care deeply and I appreciate that you are the only person from the church who has commented on my path.
I want to be clear that I absolutely believe in the fact that Jesus was wholly God and wholly man in some complex way that we will never understand while we are here. I also absolutely believe that he died and was resurrected to benefit the whole world ("for God so loved the Kosmos" (earth, universe in entirety)).
I am not entirely sure how God will sort out the wheat from the chaff, no one is, but I do know that he has charged us to love everyone and that is the path that I am staying on!
Hi again Amber,
ReplyDeleteKirby and I are actually at Mars Hill in Natomas now. Pastor Scott Hagan is, well, very refreshing and has incredible integrity. So far, everyone else too. I think we have stumbled upon a "Church of Philadelphia" as opposed to "Laodecia". If you and Brian ever are curious and want to visit, let us know!
Love,
Carolyn
You and Brian have touched my life in ways you'll never know. I have loved you both as I watched over the years your generosity, simple kindness and pure "pass it on"" attitude. Each dayas we worked together I never saw either one of you angry. You have an ABIDING SPIRIT that transends all you do. I am proud to call you my friends and if ever you need something I would consider it an honor to walk beside you and be of help or comfort. Miss you bunches, Suzi
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Blog Amber. Not to bore you with a long dialgoue I would love to sit down with you and Brian and share the road me and my staff are on. Your feelings are felt by many beleivers.
ReplyDeleteWe have been able to hook up with some people on a national - international scale who are writing on this very topic. We are wondering how to implement these ideas into the church.
Here is something I was told about 2 months ago and I have began to restruture my thinking in this format.
o Christology – Christ is the head
o Missiology – we are the ones being sent
o Ecclesiology – the church comes together in response to Christ and the mission.
We have a tendency to put the church first.
that is why many of us are feeling the way we do.
anyway, we can discuss more of this in person some time. Thanks for your honesty and your passion to serve Jesus and desire to see those know HIM.
JJ