They are not serving the Children of God the way they claim they are when they turn their backs on the wounded in spirit, especially when they happen to be among the few willing to lay down their lives for the sake of others.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
This quote is the headline of my website at Nam Guardian Angel. It's there for this reason alone. They never really see it this way. If Christ said this, then what is the problem with the churches when they want to ignore the price paid by so many doing exactly what Christ said was the greatest love of all?
I just did a post about Des Moines police officers, firefighters and emergency responders setting up peer support groups to help recover from what they have to do as part of their jobs. They are willing to lay down their lives for the sake of others, but the churches seem to want nothing to do with being part of their healing. National Guards and Reservist serve side by side as citizen soldiers with the military but return home to families and jobs left alone to cope with what was asked of them but again, the churches fail them. Veterans left alone years after war suffered in silence when they could have been healing but again even though we knew about PTSD after Vietnam, the churches have turned their backs on these walking wounded. Why?
Would Christ have ignored them? Would Christ have said He didn't have time for them or the staff to take care of them? Or would Christ weep again as He did for the sister of Lazarus before He raised him from the dead? I'm sure Christ would have taken all the time they needed to help them heal and restore their faith in His Loving Father.
This is one of the biggest reasons I became a Chaplain. Too many churches are not doing what they are supposed to be doing. I've talked to enough pastors and church elders witnessing their eyes glaze over as they politely send me on my way and ignore what they need to be doing for the sake of those wounded and doubting they are loved by God. How can they believe God loves them if the churches turn their backs on them?
I love God but not the church II: Wounded, but not broken
Carla Roberson
Newark Spirituality Examiner
July 28, 11:35 PM
Emotional hurt; we have all experienced it in our lives at one time or another. Anguish, feelings of betrayal and spiritual bruises; these words can only skim the surface of what agitates deep inside as the wounded, attempt to gather the pieces of their wilted spirits. They go on in their lives, many times bearing a significant weight of insecurity and distrust on their shoulders. They are the emotionally wounded; but they are not broken. Fret not; for we serve a God of redemption, healing and restoration. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you {1 Peter 5:7}.
The first segment of this article was written roughly a week ago, resulting from my own experiences that I encountered in visiting various churches. I have been in attendance of my own church for close to 7 years now and a member for about 2 years. Although my church is relatively large, consisting of approximately 10,000 in multitude; I have esteemed my church honorable. I am getting spiritually fed and I am always graciously enamored by members of the congregation, making me feel welcome and giving me a sense of joy. But approximately 3-4 months ago, I started feeling restless in church. I could not understand why I was feeling this way but I knew that God was up to something.
I began to visit other churches and I quickly realized that many churches were not operating the way that God would intend for them to. God instructed me to write about the churches and their erroneous ways. It was then, that I recognized that being a part of my own church was a blessing. I knew that I was extremely fortunate to be a member of an organization intricately designed and operated by the Lord. My own church, an imperative element in God’s purpose has proved to be a significant component as a result of my observation; by which God desires to pour out His spirit.
read more hereI love God but not the church II
Thank you for your words. I served, as a chaplain in Iraq.I have been there. I served in the church as a pastor. I understand. I now work with homeless veterans...some have seen the horror of war...some have not...It does not matter to me...they served in some capacity and need supportive services...I wonder what would happen if the church took seriously the call of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 25:31-46...funny how in all my 15 years of parish work...the parish leadership never said..."Hey, why don't you pray for God to send us the homeless, the hungry and the haggard...instead...we hear, "Hey, they would make good, members...they have money..." Okay enough of that venting...keep up the good work on your end...and I will do the best on mine...besides...when people of faith work toward justice and healing...there is the church...we do not need a building with a denomonational label. Instead, we pray for bold people moved by compassion and the need to help the least among us...thanks for your leadership.
ReplyDeleteHi DES
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment. What you ran into is exactly what I did a couple of years ago.
I was working for a Presbyterian Church as Administrator of Christian Education. I could never manage to get them involved in anything having to do with PTSD, which I kept trying. It was not until I was contacted by the director of When I Came Home documentary about homeless veterans that I was shocked by the response I received.
I wanted to show the documentary and do a presentation to get the church and the community involved to help our veterans. Most of the comments among the elders went along the lines of "They are drug addicts and alcoholics." "They want to be that way." "They don't want to work." And then I heard it repeated that "most of them don't need the money and get into expensive cars after they collect your money." This was from church people because they had heard these rumors for years. It wasn't their fault they never really heard the truth. So I told them. It was not until the interim Pastor piped in and defend what I was telling them that they would allow the truth to get through to them. I also never seemed to matter that Christ never once asked why someone was poor or needy before He helped them and told the rest of the people to take care of the poor.
Since then I've kept trying but I guess I'm just to inadequate to deliver the message they will hear. I've visited many churches in the area around Orlando but only heard back from one and the that was really disheartening. I cry a lot over all of this because people refuse to hear the truth even though they are decent people. I used to think that all it would take was for people to know why so many veterans end up homeless and that what they think of them was wrong so they would reach out their hands to the veterans, but even after that, I walk away more saddened.
You are so right on the fact that our "Chruch" does not have doors but is the way Christ thought it should be, out in the world with the people needing to be healed.
God bless you for what you do for them. You are doing what I could never come close to doing. I am not "leading" but following Christ and falling down the path He has taken me on more than I walk in His steps.