The Holy Church of the Do Over

I just realized what a huge ocean of convenience that we in our culture swim in. In my kitchen alone there are close to 30 different spices at least 5 different varieties of cheese and at least 40 different prepackaged food items that can be even any time one feels like.

I believe it was back in the late 70s early 80s when Burger King ran an ad campaign which touted the slogan “have it your way”. I blame it all on Burger King! Unfortunately Christendom has applied “have it your way” to how we live out our lives in the church. 1000 years ago there was one church. And if you couldn't possibly stand the church that you belonged to you had to walk miles. Even in rural areas there are normally a choice of 5 to 10 churches even in a small town.

Gone are the days where you live out your Christian life in one church. I believe that there are legitimate reasons for leaving a church. Here are some reasons that I do not believe are legitimate for leaving the church.

1. A need for anonymity

2. Offended by the pastor or other parishioners (were supposed to be the church of reconciliation)

3. To continue sinning without accountability

4. Not being fed at a certain church (Jesus said "you give them something to eat". Why do we constantly want to be spoon fed when we need to learn to chew our own meat and then feed someone else)

Those are just several reasons that I can think of off the top of my head and I guess they're the ones that bug me the most. I believe that art churches are becoming influenced by the the culture around us rather than the church influencing the culture around us. I believe convenient consumerism and the video game mentality leads us to looking for church like are looking for the best burger in town. It also leads us to look for an instant reset button when there is the slightest problem at the church we attend. I believe it has become more convenient for us to desire a do over rather than reconciliation as we were taught by Jesus.

I've really been thinking about this subject a great deal lately which is led me to look at my own history. I left the Roman Catholic Church because when I submitted to the call on my life to preach the gospel I was a married man. I left another mainstream denomination because of liberality and veering from the traditional tenets of the faith. I left the foursquare church because it was a planned transition from that one mainstream church to where I am now.

Now this is where I hope that I don't communicate a holier than thou attitude. And please give it to me on the chin of you truly believe I'm giving myself a pass. In each case where I left the church I had no anger or offense. Even in the case of the church that had become quite liberal in my opinion I spoke to the pastor and received his blessing to go and minister in another Communion.

Maybe I did give myself a pass. Perhaps I too was looking for a do over. When we think of schism we normally think of the great schism which happened a little after the church was 1000 years old. Schism is still alive and well, almost every denomination I know of has suffered from schism. This type of schism is subtle, because the splits aren't always down the middle. Little pieces on the corners inside tend to chip off but it's still schism. Whatever happened to reconciliation.

This do over thing is getting on my nerves. Even more so as I start to entertain the possibility that I've done this more than once in my life. I got no answers here folks just a lot of questions. Let me know what you think and don't be afraid to throw a hammer at me.

Perhaps a good suggestion.

Yesterday, I was asked if there was a possibility that I would allow people to send me articles or essays to be published here on the blog. I am more than okay with that, in fact I think it would be a great way for people's voices to be heard. I would leave them anonymous if the person so chose that route.

So here's what you do. Send anything that you would like to be posted to padrerich@hotmail.com . This is your opportunity to voice your opinions, hurts or just an interesting topic. I will maintain the right not to post anything I deem inappropriate.

If there is enough interest in this format I will create a forum so posting would be much easier.

The small and struggling church

As a young man I belonged to a parish of several thousand. now I pastor a church were maybe 25 show up on a Sunday. I have been called to serve in a church that's sacramental, evangelical and charismatic. Our flavor of Christianity is difficult for some believers to understand. My heart is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone but it's hard when your flock is timid and very comfortable being a small church.

The small churches in all flavors of Christianity and we battle similar things. Invisibility is one. Without a budget it's difficult even by cheap banners or signs to make the church's presence known. Mega-churches are another problem. And please understand I'm not bashing mega-churches. But just the names that they go by are an indictment against other churches. Names like higher vision and real life church. Without realizing it there accusing other churches of not being real or not having a real modern vision for the church. We've had several families in the past 3 years leave our church to go to mega churches because they have programs and amenities that we don't have.

I was asked several weeks ago by a person who would eventually leave the church ” does God really want this little church to exist?”. I know that God wants our church serve him in our area. I also know that many people have received Christ and returned to the Lord Jesus Christ through the ministry of our parish. We aren't supposed to fold just because were small! Jesus started with 12 guys.

I take responsibility for the shortcomings of our church. I would appreciate it if you read this would pray for me. I'm not doing everything right comes off my focus on the things I do wrong. It's no secret I'm very frustrated but my greatest fear is that my frustration is paralyzing me and keeping me from being the minister for Christ Jesus that I'm supposed to be.

Many years ago a person that I was directing spiritually said to me “hit me as hard as you can”. Please feel free to tell them just a big baby or to give me and encouragement or direction for prayer.

There's room under the umbrella for you.

Years ago I thought about starting a forum called the pastor's umbrella but it never came to fruition. With the gift of this new dictation software it'll be easier for me to create text hence it will take a lot less time to add entries to this blog.

The purpose of this blog is to create a safe place for those who serve God ,that they might have a voice without fear of judgment from church members . We all experience hurt from time to time and quite often ministers just don't have a safe place or people who they can trust to share their pain. All too often we have to deal with the minutia of the human condition. Preaching and teaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is difficult enough without the isolation we feel and the judgment we receive whether it's right or wrong.

I hope this will also be a place of accountability. That we as brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ will give license to one another to speak truth into our lives. I don't want this to become a place where we just cheer for each other because we suffer similar trials. Oftentimes we deserve the wallops that we take and other times not so much.

I believe the Lord has put it on my heart to create a place for candidacy, transparency, accountability and responsibility. A place that creates an environment where you can speak your mind, show your heart ,receive correction when needed and encourage humility and repentance.

This will not be a place to debate doctrinal issues. If you're a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. And you confess a triune God , Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the divinity of Christ, the virgin birth , the bodily resurrection and the rest of the basic tenants of the faith as given to us in the Nicene And the Apostles Creed Then please join in.

This is a blog and not a forum so your participation will come through commenting on topics that I'll introduce.

So welcome, I'm excited about the fellow servants all meet.