For example, we are in the process of finding new and innovative ways of
getting the Love Jesus, Hate Church
message out. And yes, there has been some... uh, how do I say...
some resistance to the Love Jesus, Hate Church
call to arms.
Oh yeah.
For example, many pastors are reluctant to have us come
to their church and present the
Love Jesus,
Hate Church Reformation. Why? Because of the
potential back-lash they fear from their resident gatekeepers.
"Gatekeepers?"
Sure. Remember them? Every church has 'em.
Let me see if I can jar your memory a bit...
In each of
these pitifully sad excuses for a New Testament church there always
seems to be a group of people, a family, or a ruling body, that has
taken upon themselves the self-proclaimed, prophetic mantel of being the
resident church gatekeeper.
Every church has to have one.
It’s in the Bible.
And if you don’t think that it is, just go and ask one
of them and they’ll be more than happy to set you straight. Pronto.
The single purpose of a gatekeeper, the very reason
they get out of bed each morning to mess up a new day, is their driving,
all-consuming passion to keep the Holy Spirit out of their church and
their traditions in.
They’re the keepers of the glorious past.
The sentries of the status quo.
The nagging, non-change element.
Gatekeepers have this uncanny ability to manifest
themselves into all sorts of different shapes and sizes. They can
be young or old, male or female, retired or employed, well educated or
dumber than a brick. Their ranks draw from all segments of church
society. They’re incredibly gifted at being able to conform to
their surroundings, much like the way a chameleon is able to change its
color at will in order to blend in and remain hidden, unnoticed to the
naked eye.
So it is with the gatekeepers.
These gatekeepers may be deacons or elders or former
pastors, or they can take on a variety of hybrid forms and
personalities. But more often than not, they usually tend to
manifest themselves in the fertile soil of a single extended family, or
a group of families, that have rooted themselves into a congregation
like kudzu and refuse to be deterred.
“Once they’re in, heck, you might as well just sell the
farm!”
They may be led by a matriarchal family figure or by an
old, retired pastor who has a vested interest to see that things stay
the same. Whenever a new pastor, youth pastor, or worship leader
comes to serve in the church, they’re the ones who vehemently hold on to
the way things used to be. To the past. It somehow affirms
their ministry or their very existence to see that nothing ever changes.
Change is bad, evil and of the devil. Well, it’s
hard to argue with that.
“No, we’re not going to sing those songs here as long
as I’m in this church.”
“I don’t like to stand during the worship songs.
My legs get tired.”
“Why do we keep projecting the words on the wall?
What’s wrong with our hymnals?”
“These kids need to be more respectful in church.
Why do they keep running around?”
“I’ll tell you when I was a young person, I would never
dress that way. It’s shameful.”
“What’s wrong with the King James?”
Usually they work behind the scenes. In the
shadows. Just under the radar.
They have this well organized, underground network of
church members who never attend anymore and haven’t since the late
sixties. They’re the ones who just sit at home and read the weekly
church newsletter to see what’s going on, complain about what they don’t
like, gossip about what they would change if they were there, and
generally moan about the current state of things—
especially when compared to the wondrous times of constant revival they
experienced week after week when they were at the helm, back in their
heyday, in the good ‘ol days. You know, before the new guys showed
up and everything began to change.
Ah, the limitless resources of the gatekeepers.
When do you see those people?
Most often at an annual church budget meeting.
For some reason the allure and enticement of a church business meeting
irresistibly draws them out into the open like a porch light does to
fireflies. The pastor stands up to present the budget to the
congregation when all of a sudden, instead of the usual 100 or so in
attendance, the crowd that Sunday has swelled to 175 or more, 50 of
which he’s never even seen before. The sanctuary is overflowing,
filled to the brim with those obscure people on the church membership
role, like the son or grandson that joined when he was 9 years old
during a VBS push and has lived like hell ever since. Twenty-six
years later he shows up at the annual church business meeting, at his
mom’s request, to vote with her constituency voting block either yea or
nea on a certain hot, “flavor of the day” political issue. Then,
like the homeless, he’ll just drift away into the shadows until he is
once again called upon to do his family church duty.
Ah, the gatekeepers.
“You know, the Pastor makes too much money. He
only works two days a week.”
“We don’t need a full-time youth director. We’ve
got too many kids runnin’ ‘round here anyway.”
“What’s wrong with the old pipe organ? We’ve had
it for years. Why in the world do they want to go out and buy a
new keyboard? Seems like a waste of money to me.”
“Hey Pastor, who told you that you can do that, say
that, preach that, print that, pray for that, go to that, buy that... ad
nauseaum.”
Ah yes, I'm very familiar with the
gatekeepers and the fears many pastors have of ruffling their feathers.
I also know that bringing a ministry into their church with a name like Love Jesus, Hate Church
gives many pastors and church leaders a sick feeling in the pit of their
stomach. Hey, it's completely understandable.
"Hey pastor, what are these guys gonna talk about?"
"Hey pastor, when they say Hate Church... they
ain't talking about this church are they?"
"Hey pastor, if I don't like what they say... or if
they say something that makes me feel uncomfortable in any way... well,
I'm gonna take it out on you when they leave."
So, to help you fully know what to expect with the Love Jesus, Hate Church Reformation,
I have included three sermons (podcasts) that pretty much include
everything that is covered in theLove Jesus, Hate Church Reformation.
That's right. What you hear on these three podcasts is basically
what is shared with your church or ministry organization.
Sound interesting? Sure hope so. Because we could sure
use your help in getting the Love Jesus, Hate Church
message out.
If
you're a pastor, church leader, or simply a concerned church member and
would like some information on how to have us come to your church and
begin the Love Jesus, Hate Church Reformation, just click -
HERE
I hope to hear from you soon.
Until next time,
Steve McCranie
"You know, this ain't the way church is suppose to be.
Something
must be wrong, bad wrong."
Disclaimer:
This newsletter, by design, cuts no slack when it comes to confronting
the Love Jesus, Hate Church phenomena that seems to make up much
of the current, contemporary church of today. So, if you’re looking for
a lame, watered-down, skim-milk type of newsletter that will share with
you meaningless, feel-good tidbits of stuff you probably already know— well, you’re in the wrong place.
But if you want truth— no holds barred, no apologies and no compromise
truth— then please, read
(or listen) on.
It's amazing how close we think we can get to the edge
of sin and still wonder why we struggle with our flesh.
Like, duh! Like, how stupid is that! And, sadly,
the church reflects that struggle — compounded by the
millions.
Come on, do we really think we can stand close to the
fire of sin and not have our clothes smell like smoke?
Do we really believe the world doesn't see?
Do we really think we can
"claim to have fellowship with the light and yet walk in
darkness" — and believe that Jesus is OK with that?
Ugh.
Stay tuned and find out...
Note: This podcast
consists of a
Love Jesus, Hate Church Reformation Series Sermon on
the subject of Life in the Two Kingdoms
titled, "Stupid Is as Stupid Does"
And, as you know, there are some inherent limitations in
listening to a recording of a live message. Therefore,
if you imagine me pointing to the Kingdom of God to my left
and the kingdom of the world to my right, you will get a
better picture of the dynamics of the topic.
Also, to
download the .pdf
of the related Scriptures, click - HERE
Oh yeah,
Church in the Two Kingdoms!
Or, should I say, "How we do church in the Two
Kingdoms.
Do we
follow the rules of this kingdom? You know, the
"all we want you to do is feel good about yourself," and
"Jesus suffered and died to give you more stuff... just like
your own Santa Clause in the sky!" — Ugh.
Classic, late night, TBN sort of junk.
Or, do we do church
by the rules of His Kingdom — the Kingdom of God?
"And what are those rules?" you ask.
Stay tuned and find out...
Note: This podcast
consists of a Love Jesus, Hate Church Reformation Seriessermon on
the subject of Life in the Two Kingdoms
titled, "Church: American Style"
And, as you know, there are some inherent limitations in
listening to a recording of a live message. Therefore,
if you imagine me pointing to the Kingdom of God to my left
and the kingdom of the world to my right, you will get a
better picture of the dynamics of the topic.
Also, to
download the .pdf
of the related Scriptures, click - HERE
As a point
of reference, a study on our life in the "two kingdoms"
seemed appropriate at this time in our Love Jesus,
Hate Church journey.
"What are the two kingdoms?" you ask.
Good question.
In a nutshell (Cliff Notes style), the two kingdoms are
the two realms of existence all Believers own real
estate in. You know, the kingdom of this
world with all its rules and definitions of success and
the Kingdom of God Jesus continually spoke about.
Let's see how we are to live in these two divergent
kingdoms, shall we?
Note: This podcast
consists of a Love Jesus, Hate Church Reformation Series
sermon on
the subject of Life in the Two Kingdoms
titled, "If it Looks Like a Duck...Uh, Maybe it's a Duck!"
And, as you know, there are some inherent limitations in
listening to a recording of a live message. Therefore,
if you imagine me pointing to the Kingdom of God to my left
and the kingdom of the world to my right, you will get a
better picture of the dynamics of the topic.
Also, to
download the .pdf
of the related Scriptures, click - HERE
THANK YOU
for your support and comments on Love Jesus, Hate Church.
It appears this book has hit a nerve with many hurt, discouraged
and disillusioned church members.
Please feel free
to forward this email to as many as you believe would benefit
from the Love Jesus, Hate Church message.
Back2Acts
Productions 
Thank You!