The feeling...

It hits me hard in the gut from time to time, like a sucker punch. I don't know what to do with it. It makes me feel depressed and ineffective. The feeling I speak of? The feeling that church is not living up to its calling. Hey, I include myself in that, so don't think I am all high and mighty. I also don't believe I am the only one feeling it. So the time has come to blog it. Maybe that will help me sort it all out...or not. I get frustrated with all the "church-shuffling" I see. Don't get me wrong, I believe in finding a church that suits your needs. A person in a church that doesn't fit them or their family is a thorn in everyone's side. I just get frustrated with the sense of accomplishment brought about by church growth that happens as the result of a "Church shuffle". What happens is one church begins to have serious problems that become impossible to resolve. Several members leave and find another church. This other church experiences a surge in attendance and everyone feels really good. This is where my church is right now and I am ecstatic. It is wonderful, some of these people are so eager to plug in and work and it is exactly the boost and the encouragement many of us have needed for a long time. But on the other hand, I am saddened. A church shuffle doesn't mean we have grown God's kingdom one iota. We just shuffled it. Are we attracting sinners to our doors? It doesn't seem that way. It seems as though I might have a better shot at getting struck by lightning than greeting a "lost" person at church. So why do we keep doing things the same way? Doing things the same way and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity, right?

Our church does tons of outreach and our members go above and beyond in our community. I know we are sharing the love of Christ in our circles of influence. I know we are loving and welcoming people. Where is the harvest? What holds an unchurched person back from stepping in the door? I am praying very earnestly to God that he give us very clear direction. Jesus is the only hope anyone can ever have. Without Him, this world is second best. There is a world out there that longs for the hope and healing that can only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ. I feel like I have the cure for cancer and no one will take it because it isn't packaged right. God, help us with the packaging!