Does your church challenge you? Seriously. Think about all the things that are going on in the world. Truly think on a global level and ask is your church challenging you. I think the Christian church has some fundamental flaws and lacks connectivity to current world events. The black church in my opinion is even further behind the curve than mainstream churches in America.
Now do not get this confused with what my Christian beliefs are. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and savior, I believe in the holy trinity, etc. etc.
My concern is what is really being discussed and taught in today’s churches. Are these things really what should be discussed or should there be a broader platform of teaching going on in our churches.
When was the last time your pastor gave a sermon about what was going on with “Muslim extremist” and how it is related to Christianity? Do you even know why it matters?
When was the last time your pastor gave a sermon about how the Israel and Palestinian conflict affects Christianity? Do you know why?
Has your pastor ever discussed the United States foreign policy with Israel and how it affects us as Americans? That is something that should be discussed on a number of fronts. From a US Tax payer standpoint we should understand why America supports Israel. We send and have sent Billions of dollars to Israel. From a Christianity standpoint we should clearly understand why some large Christian groups, that are very influential in this country want the US to support Israel regardless of their foreign policies.
Why is that?
Pastors in black churches preach on emotional issues that pull on the heart strings of their target market, which is black women. This goes into a whole different topic of why there are not a lot of black men in most black churches.
Men are not as emotional as women, so what is being preached in the average black church does not stimulate a man and surely doesn’t encourage him to be an active member of the church. On the contrary, if you look at a religious sect like Al Qaeda, you get men that are flocking to give their lives for their religious beliefs.
This is post is not to chastise the church, but hopefully to get you it’s members to start thinking differently and more globally. God made this earth. He didn’t just make your immediate neighborhood or city or state. Christianity is a global mission and needs to have global thinkers. Challenge what is going on in your church for the better.
I agree with this post 110%. As a global-minded woman, I am not spiritually or intellectually stimulated in most churches. While I will agree women outnumber men in the church, the overwhelming number in most churches are the elders. I think a lot of pastors refrain from talk about Israel, foreign affairs, Christianity overseas, etc., because older members don’t want to hear about it and don’t understand.
Even the most progressive mega churches, and we have a ton of those here in Chicago, tend to placate the elders. So, your issue is an old problem in a new world. A lot of churches are still running on eight tracks, and we’re in an MP4 society. I too, find our undying support of Israel very interesting. It will be interesting, as well, to see how that relationship develops under this new administration.
“…we should clearly understand why some large Christian groups, that are very influential in this country want the US to support Israel regardless of their foreign policies.
Why is that?”
Because all you have to do is look at Congress. The familial ties and the bloodlines are uncanny.
Comment by 3 drops — February 12, 2009 @ 1:57 am
I go to a great church. I was brought up Catholic and now non-denomational. I am in a word based church. I am taught God’s word does not come back void. We change he does not. My pastor is real big on we control our emotions our emotions do not control us. In a word base church you should understand we are living by faith. so we will not get caught up in the situation or emotions. find a scripture for whatever it is and lean on that. I am not sure how the church should conform to us. God word had not changed.the bible is not politically correct; it is about his will. It is for our better good.
Comment by salazar — February 14, 2009 @ 11:39 pm
Salazar,
No offense, but you are the very example of what I am talking about. Your thought process is so simple and limited. God is global and omni present. You sit there and try to repeat some of the same old rhetoric that is being preached at every other church on the block and you assume that it is some prophetic word. You are correct God’s word has not changed, the teaching of the word is the problem. Which is what I said in the blog. The bible IS political and politically correct. Some of Jesus’ greatest adversaries were political in nature. Maybe you should get a better understanding of the word because you and your word based church are limiting a word that is unlimited in it’s scope. You can never bottle up the word of God and that directly touches on what is going on in Churches today.
Comment by freakygoodman — February 15, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
I’m glad you posted something about church again. I remember a previous post when you were kind of questioning how to deal with your religious beliefs and your sexual openess. I hope I remember that correctly. Anyway, I have joined a new church about 18 months ago and it is very different. The pastors are husband and wife, and they don’t believe in church as usual. You know alot of churches people go to network, find a man/woman, family ties, etc. This is a bible based church. They are very open about the vision of the church and the direction of the ministry. The goal isn’t to be head of a mega church, although they could accomplish that. They teach you how to relate the word to your everyday life. How to have your own relationship with God. Develope your own intimacy with Him, prayer life, worship, praise and thanksgiving. But most importantly sharing your testimony with others, telling others what God has done for you. Praying for the community, jobs, schools, country,leaders, etc. He doesn’t get political in the pulpit, but when you read the word you have to be aware of the Middle East and the struggles that are chronicled in the bible and continue today. Israel is God’s chosen people. Regardless of who gives them money they will come out on top. But with the cruxifiction and resurrection of Jesus that same protection and convenant is available to everyone. We can only hope one day the world will realize that and the fighting will cease. It is senseless because both sides have the same Father…the same blood flows through them all.
Comment by Charlene — March 26, 2009 @ 9:40 pm