Why do we hate churches you ask?
Well, first of all, we don’t hate churches, in fact, we love churches. Churches are generally filled with a lot of nice people who are interested in God and want to do some good.
It seems like there must be a better way, though. From our observation, it seems like churches tend to waste a lot of time and money.
It seems like a lot of churches are in the business of growing, making rules, defining God into boxes and drawing lines between themselves and every other church.
For instance, why does a church need a $1 million building?
To house 1,000 people right?
Did you know that a church of 1,000 people is about a $1 million dollar per year business?
Unfortunately, because of buildings and staff and programs and blah blah blah, very little of that actually goes towards helping people or engaging the community.
At the church we used to go to we could stand in the parking lot and see another church.
Both of those churches were maintaining their own facilities and paying separate staffs. I’m speculating, but one church had 1,000 people and the other had 100.
They both could have used each other’s help.
It seems like a lot of churches are more interested in being right than being real.
It seems like a lot of churches are more interested in being bigger than being better.
Sound systems, janitors, curriculum, carpet, tables, chairs, blah blah blah, how are these necessary to spread the love of Jesus?
I know, I know, it’s easy to knock it, but do I have a better solution?
No, of course not. I’ve stopped believing in solutions and answers and definitions.
But I have been thinking about it. I have been asking a lot of questions.
I don’t think I’ve come up with anything that will last for all time, but I have been thinking. There must be a better way.
This is a long post, so I’ll talk more in the next one. Yah, right, convenient time to cut out right?
See you tomorrow.
I think you have some very valid points. I think that some things can be explained though…
I think organized churches are pretty necessary to spreading the love of Jesus. We are, in my belief, spiritual beings having a human experience. While that may blow your mind- Let me say that with that belief, as we try to make our way through this world (live in it, but not be of it) We as humans and as spirits need the support of others and an organized way to be able to spread his love and his word to people. We dont know how long we will all be here, spreading the truth is first priority, so we can help others live happily- so many are seeking the truth. For this, we do need cars, buildings, materials, chairs, tables, etc.
It seems your idea is not wrong, but centered in the fact that you think churches are out to get money and status and other un-worthy, un-becoming things. What if they have the money because the members who give it honestly believe in it? What if everything they’re owning, building and buying is solely setting up the means to share the light and truth that brings ultimate happiness to as many people as possible- These worldly items are pertinent to bond people together and spread the love of Christ.
What if I told you the members VOLUNTEER to clean all our churches- because we love the truth we know and we want to keep our places of worship clean. We don’t pay anyone to be a clergy men, a teacher or janitor. It’s all becuase we love the gospel of Jesus Christ and we are willing to sacrifice our time, our talents and abilities to building up the kingdom of god.
I personally come from a church where I can honestly see that every monetary thing that they have built, they own, they bought- is to build human relationships with one another, improve each other, the community or the world somehow or spread the love of Christ. Not one item of information from my church costs money. We spread the love for free, we want everyone to know of the happiness and peace it brings- why would we charge for that or want status or glory? The glory is all the Lord’s… That is his way- That is our way.
AND you may be interested to know, this church may be one of the only churches that has paid for every single thing up front- This church is a completely debt free church and teaches its debt free principles much like you do in this blog.
I really want to know your ideas. Please don’t think I am arguing with you. I just thirst for understanding about how a church like the one I know could be bad. I want a discussion. I welcome it. I need it. Please share your thoughts and Ideas. I think you’re great people headed in a great direction. I dont want this to be a comment, I want to discuss. I enjoy life philosophies.
Email me: leighlikehoney@gmail.com