Recently, I read a blog entry linked to by my aunt. It had to do with a child doing something embarrassing for the mother, and inappropriate. The conclusion was that perhaps if it had happened at church it wouldn’t have been so horrible. I have to disagree.

I have gone to church all my life. Maybe I’m just not going the “right” one. Although, that’s the same line of thinking when people are deciding to end a marriage, because they obviously did NOT marry the “right one.” I don’t think there is a right or wrong church. But we treat each other that way. I don’t believe as Oprah does that faith is open to your personal interpretation. That whatever your definition of God is, is fine. I do believe in some very indisputable truths and precepts. However, there are many areas that are just solely about personal conviction, and we as the body of Christ crucify each other for our differences on these issues. How can there be so many sincere people, seeking to serve God, that are wrong? Well, I’m thinking maybe we aren’t wrong. We’re just different.

I have struggled with a few family members that have criticized me or pointed out things that I do as a mother that they feel are WRONG. After several years of dealing with this, it doesn’t bother me anymore. It used to ruin my day, or my week, and sometimes it would irritate me for several weeks. But I finally came to a conclusion quite some time ago that has allowed me to live in peace in spite of interference and opinions. I may be doing it differently, but it is not wrong. Why can’t we as the church be like that? We don’t have to agree with everyone all the time. In fact, the Bible is very clear we won’t, nor should we. However, we act as though we are the only ones who have read God’s word or heard from Him correctly. “I’m right. They’re wrong.” And so we have division. Division within individual churches. Division between denominations. And it plays out like this: Baptist vs. Pentecostal. Charismatic vs. Fundamentalist. Old vs. New. Big vs. Small. There are so many “versus” (versi?), that I can’t keep them straight. The Baptist is convinced his way is RIGHT, BY GOD, and all else are either going to Hell, or at least won’t have the biggest mansion or the most bejewelled crown. The Charismatic, often arrogantly, feels because they “hear from God”, rather than just relying on the written word, that somehow they’ve gotten in tight with the King. The Young think they are the answer with their current way of doing church, while the Old dig in their heals, appalled at how the devil has taken over everything from hair to the music. And because we have 617 members, we’re more blessed of God, and the small group thinks “we must be so special, we’re the ‘chosen few’.” UGH!!!

May I ask how, if we continue to be so focused on these issues - which shouldn’t be issues in the first place - we are supposed to lead the way to Christ to this dying world? Not a wonder people don’t come. More and more Christians are not going to church now. And for the moment we are amongst that group. Why? Because we’re tired of games. It’s pathetic, this playing of games. We were never called to be right. To be the only way to do church. To be the coolest. Or the most reverent. We were called to be Christ to the world. And we are failing. One day, may we be able to say love is dominant, and these petty disputes will fade into oblivion. Until that day comes, though, I doubt the embarrassed mom will have received much understanding. I have been in those situations before, when a child was being, well, a child, and I only got stares and scowls. And this from a group who hold to the claim that they are accepting and understanding, not your typical church. As a Christ-follower, what does it say when I shamefully warn people away from church? When I touch situations that I KNOW the best help and healing are not going to be found within the boundaries of a church community? God, have mercy….

“How good and how blessed it is when brethren dwell together in unity.” Come on.