June 22 Krum Star Article,
"The Church is Judgmental and Negative"
The audio version of this message delivered
on June 24 is here.
These words, “judgmental and negative”
are so often used in conjunction with the words “Christian
Church” that it about breaks my heart. Unfortunately,
such a description rings true much of the time.
How many of know of churches where lists
of approved behavior were surrounded by “we don’t
do this and we don’t do that?” Yes, there
are good reasons for prohibitions on destructive behavior.
Let’s face it—murder, stealing, lying, and
unfaithfulness simply do not lay a good foundation for
healthy living. However, when the focus stays there, the
whole atmosphere becomes heavy and black and negative
and draining.
As I’m writing this, I keep hearing
this little ditty springing from church people I knew
many years ago: “We don’t smoke, we don’t
chew; we don’t go with girls who do.” A silly,
self-righteous phrase, one which defines the chosen few
by the negatives. Did this phrase ever invite anyone into
the possibility of knowing the life-giving God, of experiencing
powerful reconciliation and living it out in a way that
society itself is transformed?
Another phrase I remember, “If the
joy of God is really in your heart, kindly inform your
face.” I used to throw that one around, anointing
myself with the power to tell others exactly how they
were to arrange their facial features so they looked adequately
joyful. How arrogant! How judgmental! And how externalized
my understanding of a life of faith!
And I can hear the internal justification
for such behavior, “I’m simply trying to exercise
discernment and offer godly correction to those around
me.” Right. And exactly how welcome is the speaker
of such words to someone else who might want to offer
godly correction in response?
OK, I’m starting to rant about this,
so before I fall into my own trap, I need to stop. The
message on Sunday at Krum United Methodist Church will
concern this very issue and is the first of six messages
this summer on “Objections to Christianity.”
See you then.
Christy
The Rev. Dr. Christy Thomas, Pastor, Krum
UMC
Questions or comments about this article?
Please contact me at christy@krumumc.org
or phone the church office at 940-482-3482.
