Thursday's Devotion: What Hurts the Church

Matthew 7:1-5  (CEV)  Don't condemn others, and God won't condemn you. God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them. You can see the speck in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the log in your own eye. How can you say, "My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye," when you don't see the log in your own eye? You're nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend's eye.

 Various friends have been commenting on a blog by a young woman about why she left the church. She referenced similar writings by a pastor about why young adults have problems with the church.  One thing pointed out is the fact that churches suffer from image problems due to the misdeeds of priests and pastors.  I used these blogs as the basis of my Wednesday night program.  Thank goodness Hapeville First is not guilty of many of the things that resulted in the young woman leaving.  But we still have to overcome the misconceptions many unchurched people have.  I’ve known for a long time that people have certain world views and prejudices and they subconsciously filter information.  They accept what supports their position and reject what is contrary to their position.  Young people are being taught to think for themselves and to turn a critical eye towards what doesn’t seem just. They reject hypocrisy.  Churches everywhere suffer when some extreme congregations and pastors take long-held but unjust stands on social and moral issues.  I can’t quite understand how someone can demonize some people (scientists who believe stem cell research can save lives, gays, organizations that promote women’s reproduction rights) while at the same time thinking it’s fine that their favorite celebrity is having yet another child with their live-in lover or shrugging their shoulders at the antics of college students on spring break. If we’re going to take a strong moral stance then take a stance against everything equally; don’t turn a blind eye to some and demonize others.  Or perhaps we should re-examine what God might really think is important in these days.  As one member put it during the program, “Everyone must make their own peace with God.”

Gracious God, help us not to be so quick to judge the morality of others when we ourselves struggle to live according to your will. Help us to see all others, even those different from us or with different world views as people whom you have created and love and value.  We ask in Christ’s name.  Amen.