A ldersgate Experience Connecting, Knowing, Loving, Growing
In this May 2012 issue:
“Just My Opinion” Pastor’s Message Connecting Graduation Fellowship Meal May Birthdays Thank you KNOWING Children’s Ministry Vacation Bible School Festival of Wisdom and Grace LOVING Sunday Worship Visitation Team M. Hines Concert Music Notes 8 Days Of Hope Uth Extravaganza Lyra Concert Memorial Day Worship Service Family Movie Night An Evening of Praise Concert Music & Art Camp GROWING Trustees Corner Construction Updates Men’s Retreat Financial Fitness Acolyte/Nursery Altar Guild May Lay Schedule
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I’m really getting sick and tired of media messages that stereotype Christians in America as one monolithic group. Worst of all, this stereotype usually goes something like this: Christians are intolerant, backward jerks who are judgmental, hypocritical, out of touch, and cannot be reasoned with. Now, I, for one, do struggle with being judgmental and hypocritical; but I know Christians who do not have to deal with these sins as much as I do. And, I also know plenty of Christians who have confessed these sins and asked God to help them work on these issues. And, alas, there are still others who take on the name of Christian who are, in fact, intolerant, backward jerks who are judgmental, hypocritical, out of touch, and cannot be reasoned with. (Oops, I did it again…) I’ve been wondering if there is some way to fight this stereotype. 1) I guess the best way is to try to be salt and light to the world, or the leaven in the bread. In other words, be the best possible Christian you can be so that others will come to believe that Jesus really does make a positive difference in our life and in the world; and therefore, the common stereotype of Christians just isn’t true. I think I learned it best as a child, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” If we are supposed to be gracious, compassionate, and forgiving, then let’s be gracious, compassionate, and forgiving. 2) Be willing to calmly and peaceably correct and instruct other Christians when we do perpetuate the myth by being unloving, judgmental, or hypocritical. Since we have to use our own judgment to engage another
in this event, I hope you will engage the other in a way that can encourage them toward a different action and not simply condemn them for their behavior. 3) Be willing to calmly and peaceably correct and instruct non-believers who perpetuate the myth, as well. Let them know that there are about 250 million Christians in the United States and that we don’t all believe the same things and act the same way. There is no such thing as a Christian voting bloc. (We don’t all have the same opinions on homosexual marriage, on abortion, on war, on taxes, on immigration, or the environment.) Just because one church pickets military funerals doesn’t mean we all want to do it. God has empowered the Church of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit to transform the world. The worldwide, inter-denominational, one, holy, universal, and apostolic Church is doing tremendous good by positively changing lives, impacting communities, and improving society. We work for peace and justice, to alleviate health concerns and the effects of poverty, to bring the lonely and lost into community, and to teach that salvation is the greatest gift we could possibly have. We do more good than any institution on this planet, and yet often we get a bad reputation because each of us still struggles to live like Christ every minute of every day. Some people expect us to be perfect when, in fact, we come to Christ precisely because we know we aren’t perfect. It is hard to be the person we are called to be. But with God’s help we can be a mirror that reflects Christ’s love to the world. Let’s prove this silly stereotype wrong. Let’s show the world that Christians are a gracious people that anyone would be proud to associate with. Peace be with you, Pastor Doug