Comments on: What’s Wrong With How We Do Church?: And So, In Conclusion … http://oneinjesus.info/2007/11/whats-wrong-with-how-we-do-church-and-so-in-conclusion/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:41:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Beth http://oneinjesus.info/2007/11/whats-wrong-with-how-we-do-church-and-so-in-conclusion/#comment-909 Beth Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:30:21 +0000 http://oneinjesus.info/2007/11/10/whats-wrong-with-how-we-do-church-and-so-in-conclusion/#comment-909 Big churches require a lot of leaders to run groups and a lot of programs to reach out to people. The truth is that all these programs cannot possibly be run competently and with a focus on Jesus himself. There starts to be a focus on finding leaders, and often they are dynamic, or smart, or financially successful, but not spiritually mature or even honest enough people. Being involved as a leader at a big church becomes a badge of honor, and the wrong people too often wind up in leadership. A lot of wild things can and do happen in a big church. There simply is no way to hold people accountable enough. There is no way to even know if staff members have their theology straight and are living lives that are a good witness. And staff members come and go at rapid speed. I have been at a big church for a long time. In the last few years it has been wild. I begin to wonder who in leadership I can be sure of, and who really and truly stands by the bible as God's word. Big churches have the ability to cover up a lot. But ultimately, things ooze out. And I think the church I am going to has begun oozing. I am not sure if I will remain there. I am a sinner, so any church I go to will have problems since I am there! But maybe I have passed off all the messed up things that happen at my church too long because of the great speakers, presentations, and all the incredible work my church does in being giving and pursuing social justice. But the justice within my church walls itself currently seems twisted. Big churches require a lot of leaders to run groups and a lot of programs to reach out to people. The truth is that all these programs cannot possibly be run competently and with a focus on Jesus himself. There starts to be a focus on finding leaders, and often they are dynamic, or smart, or financially successful, but not spiritually mature or even honest enough people. Being involved as a leader at a big church becomes a badge of honor, and the wrong people too often wind up in leadership.

A lot of wild things can and do happen in a big church. There simply is no way to hold people accountable enough. There is no way to even know if staff members have their theology straight and are living lives that are a good witness. And staff members come and go at rapid speed.

I have been at a big church for a long time. In the last few years it has been wild. I begin to wonder who in leadership I can be sure of, and who really and truly stands by the bible as God's word.

Big churches have the ability to cover up a lot. But ultimately, things ooze out. And I think the church I am going to has begun oozing. I am not sure if I will remain there. I am a sinner, so any church I go to will have problems since I am there! But maybe I have passed off all the messed up things that happen at my church too long because of the great speakers, presentations, and all the incredible work my church does in being giving and pursuing social justice. But the justice within my church walls itself currently seems twisted.

]]>