Very much agree. Great points. I grow weary of the posts which stereotype Christians as unkind, uncaring, judgmental, etc., and have long said that such views end up being counterproductive to the cause of the gospel.
Only have one suggestion, which is to change the title. It might be that the unchurched, after reading the phrase “When Preachers Despise Their Members,” might end up with the same view of the church which you spoke of in the article. They might ask themselves, “Why should I go to church if the preachers despise the church members?”
Excellent points. I admit that I have shared a version of this story before (I think I shared it to church members, not the public), and my intention was to reinforce some of what you said in the middle: "Each [weak attendee] was difficult in their own way and stood out like a sore thumb. Yet each of them was treated by the members with nothing but kindness, patience, and a joy that they were there. Little was expected of them because they weren’t in a place in life to give more. That’s how it should be." I wanted encourage everyone to check themselves and make sure we all strive to make this "how it should be."
But you brought out a lot of points that I hadn't considered. I do not believe that the world is better at caring for such people, but I can see how that could be the impression from stories like this.
As a Christian ( not as a preacher) the best treatment I have every received was by Christians. The worst treatment as a Christian ( not as a preacher) has been by Christians. Until last summer that treatment was worse than the world. Last summer I was physically assaulted passing out House to House, Heart to Heart at a parade. That was the worst. In several towns ( US & Germany) I've had people chase me up the street while simply passing out literature. In one town motor oil was poured on my car and in that same town the resident threatened to call the sheriff if I ever brought anything but Catholic literature to him. But until last summer no one laid a hand on me. But the graciousness of those in the church has been beyond compare. Sadly those who didn't want the truth or if I opposed false teaching, turned ugly quick. The church is the hospital for sinners, we..... but as one old retired elder advised a new elder, "some people never grow in faith."
My interactions with groups of God's people over the last 10 years alone has mostly been positive with people eager to talk with me and be hospitable.
The objective is to be bringing people out of the world and into His kingdom, we can't do that when seeking to make people comfortable where they are at.
I think it's just refreshing to see someone writing about Christians as good people. Nice people. Friendly people.
As a shy and introverted person, being friendly was always hard for me! but I'm happy to have grown in that area by being a new person somewhere and remembering how one person said hello to me and I really appreciated that, so I've been practicing that and I've gotten better over time.
(It's always discouraging for introverts to be told that they need to be more extroverted LOL! It's just something that can't be forced), but thank the Lord for personal and spiritual growth!
But also, another thought that I have about this is that ( it's kind of funny in an odd and ironic way) how church assemblies have turned into "let's go pray and sing to God and ignore each other". I think we all know the words to the song "we have come into his house to glorify his name and worship him", which I don't agree with SO many things about this song, but I think it has taken precedence in our mindsets and attitudes about assembling together, over Hebrews 10:25, which says the reason and purpose of assembling together is to exhort / encourage one another. I will get off my soapbox now, thank you for the great article.
One of your best articles lately and you are so right. When I saw that post, it didn't sit well with me, but I couldn't quite figure out why. You have articulated perfectly the why.
Very timely! Last night at small group a sister got very passionate about the body needing to pay more attention to the members who might need help. Mental health was how we got on the subject at the dinner table. One sister who just turned 90 spoke up defending Christians saying they are among the friendliest, most caring people, especially our congregation. This lady is bold and unafraid to speak up, in love of course, and is very passionate. She was right, and I wholeheartedly agree. I often think of all the Christians I’ve known through the years and how much they mean to me. The lady who started the whole conversation gets very preachy, but she’s a good Christian lady who tries to listen to others and help if she can. We have wonderful elders who are very attentive and have helped members in many different situations.
Thank you, Jack, for your excellent, helpful articles.
Very much agree. Great points. I grow weary of the posts which stereotype Christians as unkind, uncaring, judgmental, etc., and have long said that such views end up being counterproductive to the cause of the gospel.
Only have one suggestion, which is to change the title. It might be that the unchurched, after reading the phrase “When Preachers Despise Their Members,” might end up with the same view of the church which you spoke of in the article. They might ask themselves, “Why should I go to church if the preachers despise the church members?”
Again, thanks for the good thoughts.
Excellent points. I admit that I have shared a version of this story before (I think I shared it to church members, not the public), and my intention was to reinforce some of what you said in the middle: "Each [weak attendee] was difficult in their own way and stood out like a sore thumb. Yet each of them was treated by the members with nothing but kindness, patience, and a joy that they were there. Little was expected of them because they weren’t in a place in life to give more. That’s how it should be." I wanted encourage everyone to check themselves and make sure we all strive to make this "how it should be."
But you brought out a lot of points that I hadn't considered. I do not believe that the world is better at caring for such people, but I can see how that could be the impression from stories like this.
Thank you for digging deeper :)
As a Christian ( not as a preacher) the best treatment I have every received was by Christians. The worst treatment as a Christian ( not as a preacher) has been by Christians. Until last summer that treatment was worse than the world. Last summer I was physically assaulted passing out House to House, Heart to Heart at a parade. That was the worst. In several towns ( US & Germany) I've had people chase me up the street while simply passing out literature. In one town motor oil was poured on my car and in that same town the resident threatened to call the sheriff if I ever brought anything but Catholic literature to him. But until last summer no one laid a hand on me. But the graciousness of those in the church has been beyond compare. Sadly those who didn't want the truth or if I opposed false teaching, turned ugly quick. The church is the hospital for sinners, we..... but as one old retired elder advised a new elder, "some people never grow in faith."
Agree wholeheartedly with this article.
My interactions with groups of God's people over the last 10 years alone has mostly been positive with people eager to talk with me and be hospitable.
The objective is to be bringing people out of the world and into His kingdom, we can't do that when seeking to make people comfortable where they are at.
Thank you.
I think it's just refreshing to see someone writing about Christians as good people. Nice people. Friendly people.
As a shy and introverted person, being friendly was always hard for me! but I'm happy to have grown in that area by being a new person somewhere and remembering how one person said hello to me and I really appreciated that, so I've been practicing that and I've gotten better over time.
(It's always discouraging for introverts to be told that they need to be more extroverted LOL! It's just something that can't be forced), but thank the Lord for personal and spiritual growth!
But also, another thought that I have about this is that ( it's kind of funny in an odd and ironic way) how church assemblies have turned into "let's go pray and sing to God and ignore each other". I think we all know the words to the song "we have come into his house to glorify his name and worship him", which I don't agree with SO many things about this song, but I think it has taken precedence in our mindsets and attitudes about assembling together, over Hebrews 10:25, which says the reason and purpose of assembling together is to exhort / encourage one another. I will get off my soapbox now, thank you for the great article.
One of your best articles lately and you are so right. When I saw that post, it didn't sit well with me, but I couldn't quite figure out why. You have articulated perfectly the why.
Very timely! Last night at small group a sister got very passionate about the body needing to pay more attention to the members who might need help. Mental health was how we got on the subject at the dinner table. One sister who just turned 90 spoke up defending Christians saying they are among the friendliest, most caring people, especially our congregation. This lady is bold and unafraid to speak up, in love of course, and is very passionate. She was right, and I wholeheartedly agree. I often think of all the Christians I’ve known through the years and how much they mean to me. The lady who started the whole conversation gets very preachy, but she’s a good Christian lady who tries to listen to others and help if she can. We have wonderful elders who are very attentive and have helped members in many different situations.
Thank you, Jack, for your excellent, helpful articles.