Love Jesus, Hate Church: The Reason
Why People Do the Things They Do

Jesus said, "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work."  John 9:4

     This past week my family and I had the opportunity to spend a few days together at Myrtle Beach on the South Carolina coast.  As is my custom when I've got some free time, I try to glean some insight or wisdom from a popular book or so... mainly trying to answer some of the nagging  Love Jesus, Hate Church questions that always seem to occupy most of my mental RAM.  You know, the questions of, "Why? Why Not?" or "What's the point?"

     Well, this vacation was no different.  But the book the Lord used to speak to me was somewhat of a surprise.  I was reading Lifestories by Mark Hall, probably known best as the lead singer of Casting Crowns.  In his book, Mark simply tells some of the stories behind the songs of Casting Crowns and urges the reader to try to find the voice of God in everyday life.  Pretty simple stuff.  Pretty basic stuff. 

     But, pretty good stuff.

     In a chapter titled God Imitators, Mark hit one of the reasons many of us carry around our Love Jesus, Hate Church battle scars.  He touched on one of the reasons there is so much hurt in the church today.

     Tell you what, I'll let Mark take it from here...

Broad is the Gate...

     The average church is filled with people who live on Broad Street.  I know the lay of the land, so let me give you directions out of it.
     When I'm not living for Jesus daily and show up at church after squeezing out life on my own terms all week, I'm needy when I walk through the doors.

     I am so needy because I'm not complete when I get there, and when I'm not being completed in my walk with Jesus, I unwittingly demand completeness from people.  I raise the bar of expectations, and people don't meet my needs because it's impossible for people to do so.
     Then I also face a Catch-22.  When I'm not walking with Jesus during the week and then come to church I'm reminded of just how wide the chasm has grown.  Why sing when I'm so far away from God that He couldn't possibly hear me?  Why worship when nothing comes out of a heart full of... nothing?
     This scenario usually produces one of two results: I experience godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10), or I callus over and turn my attention elsewhere.  I find items to read in the weekly bulletin.  I notice what others are wearing.  I think about the afternoon's football matchups.  I arrange lunch preparations in my head.  Sound familiar?  Have you ever done that?
     Have you ever pursued those little escape moments to remove yourself, as much as possible, from the thought that something is not right in your life?  Sometimes our little escapes even include dwelling upon what's wrong in somebody else's life— what's wrong with the guy three rows back who everybody knows is an alcoholic, or what's wrong with the pastor's presentation, or what's wrong with the day's music selection.  It takes half of the Sunday service to get our minds and spirits engaged, and by then worship is over.  We pantomimed another week.

     Bravo and Amen!

     As a reminder, let me encourage you to also download some of the Love Jesus, Hate Church Podcasts and forward them to anyone you know who might be encouraged or strengthened by the Love Jesus, Hate Church message (in addition to the free book download we are also offering).  These podcasts, like the book, are free of charge and can be copied and freely distributed as often as you like.  Keep checking back weekly for new content or, better yet, why not just go ahead and subscribe to the Love Jesus, Hate Church Podcasts. 
     It's free and painless.  All you have to do is click - HERE

     Until next time,



     Steve McCranie

"You know, this ain't the way church is suppose to be. 
Something must be wrong, bad wrong."

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