Something Off My Chest…

In the past few weeks I have received quite a few “have you seen this” type of emails. You know them. They are the ones where someone says something on their blog, or in a video that you just “have to see” to believe it.

• I have seen him bash this guy, and this guy too.
• I have seen this famous son call a portion of the body of Christ “pimps” (don’t even get me started on that word in church).
• I have received countless emails to check out this ministry “reveal” their thoughts on this ministries recent revelation.
• I have read junk about countless ministries and churches as being “sell outs” or “too relevant” in their efforts to reach people for Christ.
• I have had to stop reading some blogs because all they were doing was defending the “why” behind the “what” when it came to how they were doing ministry.

As the emails kept streaming in I did have a few thoughts that I wanted to get off my chest:

• It must be nice to have time fighting with others Christians rather than the one enemy of people’s soul. Seriously. That is quite a luxury that the majority of follower of Christ around the globe simply can’t afford. As a Canadian, whose culture is completely post-Christian, I can’t focus one ounce of energy of fighting with other Christians who don’t share my views or thoughts because less than 2-4% of my city has a personal relationship with Christ, and even less than that would even consider stepping inside a church (outside of Christmas or Easter – and even that is dropping each year). If you have time to prepare a message, podcast, or a post that rips apart another minister or ministry – then you have way too much time on your hands. I know we are suppose to fight the good fight of faith – I just don’t see fighting other churches, ministers, or ministries as a "good fight".

• I understand that at times pastors have to deal head on with erroneous theology and even good stuff which is great for another church, but not necessarily yours. I get that. While it is not a method I would choose, I get how clips of other ministries could be shown in leadership meeting for deep discussion and debate. Yet what I don’t get is why on earth you would put that on the internet for everyone to check out? Could not that be where we are crossing the line? Pastor your church the best way you see fit, but publish content with a greater degree of discretion. Would it be that hard to think twice before you upload that video or post that blog entry? Would it hurt to ask a few questions like…“How does this help grow the body of Christ?” How does it help anyone to know what you think of minister/ministry x,y, or z?

• I have no problem with disagreements or even heated debates – none at all. That isn’t to say that I like them, but I know that, at times, they are both healthy and necessary to have. As couples, families, friends, even church/business teams it is essential that we have those moments. Yet I think that ministers have to remember the difference between shepherd and sheep talk. Lori and I have some pretty interesting conversations, that can even get heated at times – yet this is not something we would do in front of everyone. It would be a private discussion with a redemptive outcome desired. On the other side of the moment we will, with as much degree of authenticity that we can handle as a couple, share what we learned through the process, both good and bad publicly.  Yet to have the messy moment “out there” for everyone to pick apart, to choose sides, to offer their thoughts and opinions, now that would just be irresponsible and well, stupid. How is what we are doing with theology, style, seeker this, or spirit that any different? I know that living in free countries gives us freedom of speech, yet I wonder if as follower of Christ we would be wise to show some restraint?

I do remember reading somewhere, sometime how the world would know that we are followers of Christ by the love we have one for another. I know this love isn’t just the classic Rodney King “can’t we all get along” type of thing. Yet how we handle our differences must become a talking point in Christian leadership circles and gatherings. While I don’t have all the answers, I do know that how we are currently sorting it is just plain immature.

In the words of my great therapist we need to – grow up (myself included).

We can and must do better.

For the fame of God.
For the name of Christians.
For our current churches.
For the soon to be reached communities.

Perhaps as ministers we can give ourselves a gift this Christmas by getting back to some basics.

Perhaps….

If not – just don’t send the "you have to see this" emails to me anymore