How odd, that those who most clearly hear God
Hear Him for you
And for others
And for church
(But never for themselves)
They can tell you where you're wrong
And when
And how
And why
They know what you have to do to be 'right'
Because they know what right is
Always
Every time
All the time
The know all the put downs
The sneering comments
The dismissive assessments
The negative words
The words that wound
That stop you from volunteering
Or trying
Or being
But when you tell them that they're doing this
Or that
Or something else . . .
It plain to see that
You don't understand them
And you don't care at all
As you revel in your unChristlikeness
When you ask them to do what they've scared the others away from doing
You're pressurising them
When you point out their failings
You're being critical
When you give them an opportunity
You're the bad guy
When you treat them as they treat others
Then you
God
the 'Church'
(whoever or whatever that might be)
Is cruel
Harsh
Demanding
Not understanding
Intolerant
But when you
or others
bleed
They smile
and say
'Told you you were wrong!'
And that's why people don't come to church - they know we're like that!
And that's why people don't volunteer - they know they'll fail!
And that's why Jesus hangs
Still hangs
From a Cross
He just isn't good enough to do the job
Perhaps that what you came into the world to do - save Him!
Showing posts with label Criticism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Criticism. Show all posts
Saturday, 13 April 2013
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Vicars using bad words in church!
It is a very sad fact to admit but I am meeting more and more church leaders who live in fear of their membership. The walk on egg shells and regard their life as one that, like Damocles, has a sword hanging above it.
They preach that which they know will avoid the four 'C's of church life (Conflict, Controversy, Criticism and Catastrophe which come together to form another 'C' - Crisis!
There are those who know that the very mention of yet another 'C' word - Commitment will cause a shuffling of feet and eyes that avoid making contact with the speaker. "They come to the services they choose to attend and think I should be grateful," moaned one frustrated (and looking for another job) cleric. The problem was that those who moaned the most about lack of opportunity to lead and 'be in charge' (BIC) of things for the BIC gene is one of the most prevalent genetic problems that Church finds itself plagued by. There are so many who suffer from it and yet, when given the opportunity fail to turn up when they should or complete the task they have taken on.
A different cleric explained how there was a spoken desire to see the numbers attending church grow among the church council but when asked who was willing to get involved in new ventures all gave their excuses for not being involved. When they started one of the projects on the list the attendance was phenomenal - almost all the church turned out. But sadly, as this was an evangelistic venture it was hoped that some from outside the church family might also be there. But there were none.
A month later and the leader, along with many others who had been at the first evening, failed to appear and when telephoned after the thing had ended explained that they'd had a hard week and hadn't had time to do anything and so decided not to come! The silly Vicar told the would be leader that that was unacceptable at many levels and used that terrible 'commitment' word! The result and the of this was that at the next PCC, resignations from both council and the church were given and the project ceased and the church became divided (and diminished).
For many of us, it seems that talking about that idyllic state of 'Church Growth' is what keeps the punters happy. Well it does as long as it doesn't call upon people to actually be 'Committed' and get out and do. This is reflected in the number of churches that I happen across where the evening service has ceded to 'Simply Come Dowton to the Antiques Fair' television programmes. "They don't come to the evening services because they are in conflict with television, or as in the case of one church I happened across, the local pub's 'Prize Quiz Night!'.
So, to cut a long blog short here's the beginning of a list of words to avoid and the way to use them should you really have to (add your own to the comments - they're always useful):
Commitment - something that we wish to see in others
Evangelism - something that we bring an 'evangelist' in to do
Giving - Something that we wish other people would do
Attending - Something that applies to others because you're here!
Pax
They preach that which they know will avoid the four 'C's of church life (Conflict, Controversy, Criticism and Catastrophe which come together to form another 'C' - Crisis!
There are those who know that the very mention of yet another 'C' word - Commitment will cause a shuffling of feet and eyes that avoid making contact with the speaker. "They come to the services they choose to attend and think I should be grateful," moaned one frustrated (and looking for another job) cleric. The problem was that those who moaned the most about lack of opportunity to lead and 'be in charge' (BIC) of things for the BIC gene is one of the most prevalent genetic problems that Church finds itself plagued by. There are so many who suffer from it and yet, when given the opportunity fail to turn up when they should or complete the task they have taken on.
A different cleric explained how there was a spoken desire to see the numbers attending church grow among the church council but when asked who was willing to get involved in new ventures all gave their excuses for not being involved. When they started one of the projects on the list the attendance was phenomenal - almost all the church turned out. But sadly, as this was an evangelistic venture it was hoped that some from outside the church family might also be there. But there were none.
A month later and the leader, along with many others who had been at the first evening, failed to appear and when telephoned after the thing had ended explained that they'd had a hard week and hadn't had time to do anything and so decided not to come! The silly Vicar told the would be leader that that was unacceptable at many levels and used that terrible 'commitment' word! The result and the of this was that at the next PCC, resignations from both council and the church were given and the project ceased and the church became divided (and diminished).
For many of us, it seems that talking about that idyllic state of 'Church Growth' is what keeps the punters happy. Well it does as long as it doesn't call upon people to actually be 'Committed' and get out and do. This is reflected in the number of churches that I happen across where the evening service has ceded to 'Simply Come Dowton to the Antiques Fair' television programmes. "They don't come to the evening services because they are in conflict with television, or as in the case of one church I happened across, the local pub's 'Prize Quiz Night!'.
So, to cut a long blog short here's the beginning of a list of words to avoid and the way to use them should you really have to (add your own to the comments - they're always useful):
Commitment - something that we wish to see in others
Evangelism - something that we bring an 'evangelist' in to do
Giving - Something that we wish other people would do
Attending - Something that applies to others because you're here!
Pax
Friday, 10 June 2011
Coalition Actions Explained!
Suddenly it all makes sense - the coalition is merely following Rowan's lead ;)
Happy Friday
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