August 3, Church People
If you were at 5 Point Sunday or follow me on twitter you know I've been reading about and asking others what they think of churched people. And the conclusion hasn't been good. Christianity has an image problem and like it or not, what people think becomes their reality. I'm convinced the church has become a barrier instead of a bridge to the cross.
I am in the process of reading "UNchristian by David Kinnaman. Let me share some of his statistics with you. Remember, the percentage represents those who do not attend church:
* 91% believe all Christians hate homosexuals.
* 87% think were all very judgmental.
* 85% think were very hypocritical.
No percentages given but the book shares that outsiders believe all church people are:
* old fashioned
* too involved in politics
* out of touch with reality
* insensitive to others
* boring
Like it or not this is the way the people outside the walls of church think about us. And what we must realize is that people's attitudes drive their actions. I know what some of you are thinking right now, yes we may be some or all of these things but I must stand on the truth. I agree with standing on the truth but we must remember why Jesus Christ came, to share the truth with grace.
John 1:14 (NIV)
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
For the most part I believe most churches are sharing the truth, but there is no grace with it. We have become famous for what we oppose and not what we believe in.
When you see people holding up signs against porn and homosexuality and screaming Bible verses what do you think? Love and grace is the furthest thing from my mind. Just because we scream louder doesn't make people want to be a part of us.
Here is my challenge to everyone. Don't take my word for it or the statistics from a book. Start asking people you know who do not attend church why they don't. If we're going to lead people to Jesus we must begin knowing how they think. We must change their perception of Christianity. And I can promise you their perception won't change because we ask them a few questions. We must change their perception with love and grace.
So start asking and let me know your results.
Let me give you a good place to start. Ask a waiter what they think about church people. I promise you'll be amazed. Unless your one of those who leaves a tract instead of a tip
I am in the process of reading "UNchristian by David Kinnaman. Let me share some of his statistics with you. Remember, the percentage represents those who do not attend church:
* 91% believe all Christians hate homosexuals.
* 87% think were all very judgmental.
* 85% think were very hypocritical.
No percentages given but the book shares that outsiders believe all church people are:
* old fashioned
* too involved in politics
* out of touch with reality
* insensitive to others
* boring
Like it or not this is the way the people outside the walls of church think about us. And what we must realize is that people's attitudes drive their actions. I know what some of you are thinking right now, yes we may be some or all of these things but I must stand on the truth. I agree with standing on the truth but we must remember why Jesus Christ came, to share the truth with grace.
John 1:14 (NIV)
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
For the most part I believe most churches are sharing the truth, but there is no grace with it. We have become famous for what we oppose and not what we believe in.
When you see people holding up signs against porn and homosexuality and screaming Bible verses what do you think? Love and grace is the furthest thing from my mind. Just because we scream louder doesn't make people want to be a part of us.
Here is my challenge to everyone. Don't take my word for it or the statistics from a book. Start asking people you know who do not attend church why they don't. If we're going to lead people to Jesus we must begin knowing how they think. We must change their perception of Christianity. And I can promise you their perception won't change because we ask them a few questions. We must change their perception with love and grace.
So start asking and let me know your results.
Let me give you a good place to start. Ask a waiter what they think about church people. I promise you'll be amazed. Unless your one of those who leaves a tract instead of a tip
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