I’m A Sissy Christian Who Cares Way Too Much
I was chatting with my great friend and confidant Ben Arment today.
We had a fun little banter on twitter before it went to Direct Messages.
I told him something that has been chewing at me for quite some time in a tongue and cheek kind of way.
Something that has been bothering me about church.
He sent me this back.
I replied with a typical…yea yea, I can’t.
Then I re read my answer to him and got nauseous.
“Hi Mr. Authenticity Carlos Whittaker. You are lame.”
The truth is I can.
I just don’t want to ruffle feathers and I want everybody to like me.
Oh that freaking curse.
I can only imagine that when we stop caring so much about having everybody like us and start speaking the truth in love to people who we think need to hear it we could actually start changing the way people view church and maybe see something called revival.
What have you kept quiet about too long and would like to speak out loud for the sake of His Glory and His bride?
What NEEDS to be said?
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
You first.
No you…
I don’t want to go first… I always go first (ask my wife). Oh snap, that might be a good slogan for a sermon series on sex. I’m picturing some super-sexy billboards, websites, and mailers!!!
#vomit
wow ryan, that’s hilarious.
@loswhit – I was really hoping you WERE going to actually tell us what you were talking about
Jeremy I can’t tell if you’re serious, so I’m just gonna assume that you literally LOL’d. I thought it was funny, which I suppose is all that matters
That the word “Pastor” before your name doesn’t automatically mean you’re right.
..or actually pastoring. (The converse is also true.)
good
Totally agree!
People who aren’t “representing” Christianity the right way. The ones who come to church and act one way, and then purposely disregard the standards they’re supposed to uphold while still calling themselves Christians. (This is more towards teenagers who claim they follow Christ and then go party and do the things that typically go with that). Something should be said to them.
Or, we could open that up to all hypocrites and not hate on the teenagers.
Or we could love the youth of our church like Jesus does and maybe show them more grace and mercy and less judgmental attitudes.
I am not as Godly as I hope that people think I am.
wow
Thanks for asking the question that helped me to look deep inside myself, to places that I may not want to see… Thanks for reading our responses too.
that we should read our bibles and stop believing things because some guy with Pastor, Bishop, Apostle or whatever in front of his name said it.
that God is not a vending machine…you don’t put money in and then get to ask for whatever you want. He blesses because it’s in His nature to bless…not because you tithe 10%.
that pastors, leaders, etc are looking at pornography just like their congregations…now let’s talk about it and get healing.
that people in the church are dealing with depression and suicide and need hope. let’s not make them feel guilty or that they must have a demon or a lack of faith.
that if you’re going to be pro-life, you need to step out of your comfort and be PRO-ADOPTION.
sorry i could go on forever!
Good stuff
Interesting you should mention adoption. This is a problem I see in our church. The people are adopting have no idea what a controversial issue it really is. Did you know that most Christians don’t know that adoption has a seedy underbelly? Many people think they are doing a great thing but they may be mistaken.
If you care you could start looking at adoptee rights violations and birth mother trauma blogs. Oh, and don’t comment, just read. It takes awhile sometimes to see where the other side is coming from.
The bottom line is that there are cases of abuse where the child needs to be removed from the mother, but then there are cases where the mother does not have the resources to take care of her baby so we wound both the mother and child for life by ripping them apart.
I used to be pro-adoption, but now I cry over the heart-wrenching posts of birth mothers who were told they were inadequate to be a mother and that there would be no emotional consequences of giving their baby away.
So I would not say that pro-life people also need to be pro-adoption, but that they need to be for those programs that give financial and emotional support to children and their parents. A business loan to a woman in another country may just what she needs to keep her family together.
Yes there are some sad stories out there, but on the whole adoption institutions provide a high amount of honor and grace to the birth parents. Especially for domestic adoptions.
We are clearly called to care for orphans, and making the issue about abortion alone has done so much damage.
I appreciate you comments, to the effect that we should push for high ethical standards in adoption, and we should be generous to those in need. However I’ve never met and adoptive family that wasn’t generous or one that would knowingly take advantage of someone coerrced into making an adoption plan.
I did not mean to imply that a family who adopts meant to cause harm to the mother who gave birth to the child. I did mean to imply that adoption is not rosy fun for everyone like I used to believe and was taught in my church. I would say that I am pro-life and pro-family and for adoption when there is nothing else that can be done.
What if a person who wanted to adopt a baby from African orphanage but instead gave their $40,000 to the community around the orphanage? Maybe the result would be that three babies ended up not going to the orphanage at all because the mothers could care for them. Then the next year three more people who were planning on adopting gave their $40,000 to put back into the community. What if eventually there were almost no children in the orphanage because even if the mother did not want to care for her baby, it would be likely that her relatives would (had they the resources)? Here’s a bonus: the children would be cared for in families instead of by overworked caregivers and therefore have a lower risk of mental problems and abandonment issues (neglect is devastating especially in that first year of life).
Then what if people gave the $200,000+ to raise and college educate the child they would have adopted to rescue people from slavery? Can you imagine?
Take Rick Warren’s tweet from August 11th: “Mary, it’s true. Over 10,000 Saddleback members have now served in missions overseas through our network & P.E.A.C.E. plan”
The fact that 10,000 people have gone on short term mission trips is not an indicator of spiritual growth. It does mean that there are a lot of people who were interested in a spiritual experience. Does anyone ever ask a long-term missionary in Russia if they’d rather have 10 people for a 2 week mission trip or if they would rather have the $50,000 (that the 10 people raised in support) to put back into the community? I’m not sure what the long-term missionary would say. He might say that he’d like two people for help and refreshment and fellowship and $40,000 to put into the community.
I am not saying that all short-term mission trips are wrong. We just need to ask ourselves some hard questions. Such as: Is this really what the Holy Spirit is asking me to do with the thousands of dollars He lent to me or is it just me wanting to contribute to the work of the kingdom, but only if I get something out of it also?
I think you raise some thought-provoking points but I would be careful about making some broad generalizations about short-term missions.
I can’t speak for others, only my own experience.
In 2005, I went on a short-term mission trip to Peru to help in an orphanage up in the mountains. It literally changed my life and the lives of the family I lead. Unquestionably worth every penny.
I did not say that all short term mission trips are wrong. We just need to ask ourselves why we are willing to pay (or raise support) for ourselves and not give even a fraction of that amount directly to a long-term missionary.
Laura,
While i appreciate your perspective, perhaps you take a good look at what you read on the internet. Just because something is in writing, does not make it true.
mom of 3, 2 of which were adopted through a reputable agency, which follows Christian principles.
Thanks for writing, I appreciate you all for allowing me to talk out what has just been doing nothing but whirling around in my head.
After even more thought, and mulling over the responses here I probably do need to tone it down a bit and realize that everyone has a story that would probably amaze me with their strength and sacrifice.
Agree with MaryAnne.
“Adoption has a seedy underbelly.” What? This is such an uneducated, unexperienced comment. Trolling the internet and reading stories doesn’t make one an expert and definitely doesn’t qualify one to speak on it.
My son died in an orphanage after 76 days on this earth. But he died with two parents loving him and grieving for him and fighting for his memorial because of adoption. Seedy underbelly??
My daughter was discovered on the streets at 1 month old. She came home to us after spending 7 months in an African orphanage. Over the last two years she has been raised around people who dedicate the majority of their lives to bringing an end to infant malnutrition in orphanages. She will grow up knowing what it means to care about the least of His. And all of this because of adoption. Seedy underbelly?
Get your facts straight before posting publicly on it. You run the chance of negatively impacting potential adoptions. I guess I could just shut up and let you and God discuss that when the time comes – I can’t believe He would be anywhere near you in agreement.
Ignorance is killing this world…
I’m really excited to finally be having this conversation. Alas that I’ve had no time for internet in the last few days so this thread is probably already dead.
I think the majority of mothers care very deeply about their children. Deut. 28 talks about what happens to parents who under great hardship: “Because of the suffering that your enemy will inflict on you during the siege, you will eat the fruit of the womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters the LORD your God has given you. 54 Even the most gentle and sensitive man among you will have no compassion on his own brother or the wife he loves or his surviving children, 55 and he will not give to one of them any of the flesh of his children that he is eating. It will be all he has left because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege of all your cities. 56 The most gentle and sensitive woman among you—so sensitive and gentle that she would not venture to touch the ground with the sole of her foot—will begrudge the husband she loves and her own son or daughter 57 the afterbirth from her womb and the children she bears. For she intends to eat them secretly during the siege and in the distress that your enemy will inflict on you in your cities.”
I think we need to let go of the sterotype that parents who give up their children are uncaring. They need our compassion. What if the thing that is needed is a lot more attention to clean water, medicine for AIDS, business loans so that families can stay together?
Why are we willing to save up $40,000 to bring one child to America but not willing to save up $40,000 so that the church in other countries can be a blazing beacon of hope to desperate families? What if we could break the cycle?
I think something worth understanding is that when you’re outside the adoption community, looking in – all you really have to go on is stereotypes. And posting about them and passing judgement on them does nothing but perpetuate them.
It’s a terrible stereotype to think that birth mothers are uncaring for making a decision that is likely harder than anything any one of us will ever have to face.
It’s also nice and sensational to say $40,000 – but your numbers are off.
I don’t think anybody who has adopted will tell you that they believe they are changing the world, saving the world or breaking a cycle (there are 147+ million for pete’s sake). But I DO think they’ll agree that they believe they made an impact on one life that only God knows what will come of.
So I have adopted and have met God in that place in a big way. He lives there – trust me. But what I don’t understand is why the “anti-adoption” approach? Save $40,000 yourself and give it to the community like you say and then come back and tell us how that worked. I would never try to tell you NOT to do it. I would listen with curious ears and a passionate heart about what you were trying to do.
Again – I think it’s only because your ignorant on the topic – but you must not be aware of how many families who adopt become fully engaged in the countries and communities they adopted from (we have our own non-profit organization we started). Which we likely never would have done if God had not led us to adopt and to break our hearts for what breaks His.
Joseph adopted Jesus. God adopted you and me. Let’s ALL adopt the right approach to orphan care – and it DOES involve adoption.
Would live to hear your thoughts on this… Been thinking on this subject a lot lately
Probably too many.that as a pastor, if you’re getting a phd doesn’t mean you can spell right;that you don’t sin, just “make mistakes” and specially don’t have ur dumb body guard losers that you don’t want to shake hands with my poor husband because the “spirit doesn’t lead him”!
First, I’m with you on this – both in content and in characteristic. I’m a sissy Christian way to much… I read this yesterday and it’s been bugging me ever since:
John 12:42-43 “Many people did believe in him [Jesus], however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.”
Too often, I worry about what others think than what Jesus thinks…
The two things that have been bugging me lately:
1. The fallacy that Christians often portray about having it all together, when those around them know it’s not true. Let’s be honest and genuine! [i point the finger at myself just as much as others here!]
2. Adding to the our own criteria to the Gospel.
Blessings!
Thanks for sharing.
I meant love not live to hear
This has gotta be said: Though it may have become popular lately to bash the church, pointing out how many churches are out-dated irrelevant, etc. etc. etc… This must STOP! The Church is God’s institution. Instead of constantly spewing about the church’s faults, let’s share about the great things that a TON of churches nationwide are doing to reach out. True, there are things wrong with the church, but it’s still the tool God gave us.
“Whatsoever things”… I’m just sayin’.
Love this!
amen
Dear Church Leaders,
If I’m not sure that you’re following the Spirit’s leading, you can bet that I’ll find another leader to follow.
If you want me to believe that you value my opinion as a woman, you better start including women in your leadership. Otherwise, I don’t see much point in saying what I think.
I appreciate that you are allowing me to create a ministry program that is in line with my gifts, but if you want me to continue that ministry, I need you to trust me and not micro-manage.
Please tell me honestly that I’m doing well. I need to hear both honest praise and criticism, but go out of your way to emphasize the good things. Please.
Finally, quit talking about me and my family when we’re not there. I don’t care if it is a confidential meeting, someone in the room doesn’t understand ‘confidential’ and whatever you say will get around. I’m really tired of people I barely know having opinions about me that aren’t based on *me*.
Thank you,
Jen
Heavenly Father, I pray that you bless everyone in a church leadership role right now. Place something in their path today that will bring them closer to you. Clear an unexpected spot in their schedules so they can focus on You and Your will. Father, give each of these leaders the courage and strength to take the next step towards Jesus, even if its a jump into the unknown.
Father, bless all of the followers as well. That we might be supportive and encouraging to our leaders and together all of us represent the beautiful Bride of Christ.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
= = = = = =
Sorry that got kinda long, I apologize. Thanks for letting me share.
I love the prayer.
That church doesn’t really happen Sunday mornings, that’s all a show (I’m being tame), nor even in your small group – church isn’t a talk show of ideas and teaches – it happens when you are with people who are not like you (ie non-Christians).
Love
awesome! well said!
I think tambourines and King James are kinda cool.
HAHAHAHAHAHA
This has been a struggle…I’m sure alot of people do this too…
http://calebgordon.com/?p=969
May we truly put our FULL hope in Christ!
I guess it depends on what you think NEEDS to be said vs. what COULD be said because it bothers you. For example, is this supposed to be a thread to vent? Or to grow? I could go all day about things that bothers me about the church but I don’t think most of it would be productive thoughts for everyone to read.
I would think that whatever is on your heart, you should ask will it help others, is it from God, and does it come from a place of compassion.
Otherwise, keep it to yourself. Har.
Good word Liz
If it will make you feel better Los, I’ll tell you I don’t like you.
I love the notion of grace. I am thankful for people like Mike Foster and People of The Second Chance. My church is one with an attitude of grace. My Pastor (who those Catalyst guys need to start asking to speak) tells people, “If you’re looking for a perfect church, you won’t like this place. We’re all screwed up!”
But, our church also makes sure we balance love (grace) with truth. He said a church needs balance. A church with too much truth becomes legalistic. A church that is all about love becomes liberal (not in a political sense). There are times when truth is going to clash with love. In those cases……truth must prevail.
I remember James MacDonald talking about that as well. He said many churches and many leaders are all about “Grace grace grace grace grace grace grace but forget about truth.”
In addition, I am uncomfortable with the way people have tried to sell Christianity. It’s one thing to market a church. You do it so that you can get people through the door. But once inside, stop selling.
So here it is in a nutshell:
1. If truth and love collide, ultimately, biblical truth must prevail.
2. Stop trying to “market” Christianity.It’s not a fad and we’re not Hare Krishnas.
I don’t work at a church, so I have nothing to lose…
1. Your rhinestone shirt with a cross from The Buckle doesn’t make you a “hip” pastor or relevant by any means.
2. Recycling your sermons year after year after year, thinking no one notices… People notice and they can recite your jokes verbatim, including the pause for effect.
3. Bigger doesn’t mean better.
4. Giving away a car IS over the top.
5. Recycling isn’t an option. Period. Don’t tell me it doesn’t fit in the budget.
6. Is it really necessary to put a car on stage multiple times a year?
7. Just because you go over due to getting off track, doesn’t mean we should cut one of just 3 songs.
Sorry about the soapbox.
Well, not really.
This is gonna hack somone off fo sho!
You don’t HIRE a pastor to do YOUR SOUL WINNIN’!
He’s God’s messenger for your church, it’s YOUR job to live missionally!
GO WIN FOLKS FOR JESUS!
ok
i feel better
The church doesn’t really care about orphans. If they did there wouldn’t be 147 million of them and growing…
I agree! we like to put the kids faces up in church so we get a “bigger offering” but do we REALLY care?
1. Having tattoos, tossing out a curse-word or two, or sitting with your buds tossing back a few brewskies doesn’t make you a “relevant” or “real” Christian.
2. Having no tattoos, reading your bible daily, and attending church every time the doors open doesn’t make you a “relevant” or “real” Christian.
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…” If you wanna make a difference…enter into a relationship with Him and start following Him. Anything else is just plain useless.
cuss
Ha ha.
Church feels like a club.
Sometimes I wanna stand up and scream “Bulls#$!” during service cuz it all feels so fake.
OK, I will try, we are so blessed in the US with all we have and we really dont do much for anyone else. It is so clear in the sermon on the mount, care for the poor, the weak, the ones in prison, and so on. And do we really do much. Those of us who are considered poor in the US have so much more than the really poor, 99% of us have moe than 99% of them!! We collect, we save, we buy, we polish and admire what we have and what we have done, and the hungry are still hungry, the abused are still abused, the poor are still poor etc. etc.. but we go on sunday to our crystal cathedrals, and look at the people who look like us, talk like us and think like us,, and we say we are following Jesus.. to follow means to be at best 2nd, and so much of what we hear is be at the top.. as Ricky Bobby said, “if you’re not 1st you’re last”. I have more I guess I cold put out here but I think I will take a break and think about it..PS. when i think about being a Christian at times I look back at that post you did around Christmas..Dannys Story. and I feel ashamed of myself and what I think is so important and why I have it so rough. God hasnt forsaken me, he just isnt telling me what I want to hear.
That spouting off on a blog doesn’t solve any problems. It’s just a way of making you feel better and maybe getting people to agree and massage your ego. It doesn’t solve the problem. Let’s face it, if you thought the person you’re criticising was reading, you probably wouldn’t have had the guts to say it. If you’ve got a problem with someone, go talk in private.
Irony duly noted.
We need to rethink what God’s Church really is. Every Church seems to have the same thing. Time of music worship, speaking, prayer, and maybe an offering or invitation. Is that Church? Is there a way to look at things and maybe do “Church” differently? Did the early church have a worship band? I am not speaking against worship music (We want to keep Los employed), but I do think it is time to really look at what is important and what we have created out of tradition and fluff. What is sacred in Church, and what should be sacred?
I need to say that “getting saved” does not make life easier. It doesn’t guarantee comfort, at least not earthly comfort. And you won’t know you’re on the right track by whether or not you feel good.
In my experience, “getting saved” turned my life upside down, following Jesus can be even more confusing than the life I used to lead, and conviction of faith has led me to explore darker places in my consciousness than I went to in 8 years of active alcoholism.
The call to discipleship is unbearably difficult and uncertain at times, and it’s supposed to be that way so we’ll finally comply with the will of God once we have nowhere else to turn. I don’t want to hear any more that God will bring prosperity to those who do his will. He will prosper us in the spirit, not necessarily in the pocketbook.
It’s utter BS that Christians don’t or shouldn’t have “dark nights of the soul.”
Jesus didn’t promise us chocolate Pop-Tarts and Tonka trucks if we follow him–he (and Paul) told us we WILL suffer, why we will suffer, and how we should suffer.
We pastors need to stop peddling comfort in the place of Christ.
Small churches are real churches. Just because we’re small in number doesn’t mean God isn’t at work.
We’re all called to minister. Only sheep make baby sheep. Stop expecting the Shepherd to make baby sheep. Just because the pastor gets paid doesn’t make him the only one expected or capable of ministering and discipling.
You don’t have to spend big money to be creative. in fact, you are more creative when your resources are scarce. You are more likely to be a copycat when you have money to waste.
I havent quite figured out how I will go about it. Or should I say God has yet to reveal to me how he would like for me to live what he has set before me. But here goes… I want to see women in the faith start giving men in the faith a reason to respect them. As women we have lost sight of our worth. How can a man know our worth if we ourselves do not know it?
I want to discipled/mentored. I have lots of women of influence who speaks bits of truth into my life but I want someone who is farther along in not only experience but book knowledge who will challenge the heck out of me and push me deeper in my walk. I’ve been comfortable for way too long. I want more. I want a female role model that I can let ALL of the guards down with and be honest about the things I’m struggling with. I don’t have a mother in my life. She is an alcoholic and our relationship was destroyed well over 10 years ago. My husband is my amazing best friend and will listen and encourage me through anything but I need a woman role model.
Thanks for posting this…definitely something I’ve been carrying for a while.
my advice….
1. shut up, find your place, do your part….if everyone did that…most things would be fine. 2. Every person who serves needs to be people focused… and that requires leadership from the top to permeate the ministry. Program’s need to be more than babysitting and entertainment for kids and adults. 3. I hate the show if its just about raising money, creating image etc. If its about leading people to the foot of the cross…and the show is cool..I am good with that. I am talking as much about old church as new church…perhaps more about old church.
Where’s the Holy Spirit at?
If one is a believer…He is within…we are Indwelt…and that should be the reason why we find our place, focus on people, etc.
I am reminded of the story of Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal. They danced and cut themselves to get their god’s attention…no fire…then Elijah doused the alter in fire…and just asked God to light it…
That church staff tweets usually make me nauseated. Always the same super spiritual regergatation that no one but other over-churched-bubble-living people can understand. It has gotten very old.
Most of the time I just say it, whatever “it” is and I get in trouble a lot. I’m ok with that.
We talk an awful lot. When we are together in person, at church, on blogs. When we have the opportunity to do something, we are frozen. For instance this last week, I’ve seen so many blogs and articles about the strippers vs. the church in Ohio. Where are the Christians that are doing something to really help these women and to be the church to them in an authentic way. It doesn’t mean anything if we just talk to ourselves about it. We have to stop sitting around and talking.
I am a sissy Christian “leader” who cares way too much about maintaining the title.
A good friend asked me how I was doing in the middle of rehearsals today – I replied, “I am doing great!” Next he asked me “How is your family?” Truth is I had already done 60 hours work by this morning, after having had Monday off. I was beat and somewhat p1$$36 off.
After I fessed up, he said it was obvious I was lying, and that was why he asked about my family.
The perfect sissy Christian leader has read three chapters of a book, blogged 500 words, ran 3 miles, answered all his email, prayed incessantly and eaten a good breakfast before sun-up. After that he can be seen with a big smile on his face and a yellow pad under his arm at any time of the day – not a hair out of place (don’t guess you have to worry about that one!)
The problem with today’s Christian pop leadership culture continuously emphasizing the importance of being super-human Christian leaders is that it actually cultivates sissy leaders, like myself, who can’t stand to let the team down by revealing what they really think.
If I hear one more “oh! it was amazing! Really awesome!” when actually it was a complete waste of time and was, at best, mediocore, I will scream.
I guess I am ready for staff retreat tomorrow…. awesome!
what about when it’s not that you want to be the super leader? maybe you just don’t care to tell some acquaintance at church who thinks you’re bff’s cause you’re the guy on stage pouring his heart out that you’re feeling like shit?
i have a circle of trusted friends. my life would be incomplete without them. they are who I talk to. but as a pastor, do I still have the freedom of privacy? sometime’s that info needs to be protected, you know? It bothers me that people feel entitled to that info somehow.
for example: my wife had a miscarriage on Christmas Eve last year. if I had answered honestly to the thousands that came to church that day, I think I would have eventually self destructed and took them all with me. But after the fact, when we started telling people, I had several come and pull me aside, aghast that I hadn’t included them in the news. “I wish I would’ve known, I could’ve helped you through it!” Nope, you couldn’t. You may mean well, but there’s nothing you could’ve done that wasn’t already being done 50 times over by our trusted friends and family.
I guess the question is, where’s the line? How do you have authenticity and healthy, sustainable boundaries at the same time?
that I KNOW I’m not the only one sitting in this church who’s dealt with depression & loneliness, so why isn’t anyone else talking about it?
that divorces should never ever be a surprise. If the marriage is shaky, you should be asking for help, not pretending everything’s ok up until you have to get out.
that looking good isn’t what counts.
Thank you thank you THANK YOU for the first point.
And I agree with the second and third ones, too.
I dont believe in hell.
I think we are too narrow-minded when talking about islam.
I am bored on sundays.
I am tired of being told i am wrong, and i know i dont fit the mold…but it would be nice to atleast feel like i am being listened to before being told what i need to change.
I miss worshipping jesus, but i cant stand doing it during the service.
I miss knowing jesus.
(not really sure if this is the right place for the comment, but i felt like saying it, so this will have to do.)
examples about speeding when you’re talking about sin just means you’re either grossly out of touch or looking at porn.
i feel God calling me to plant a church because I believe they are needed in rural communities. I am too worried about what my parents and my wife’s parents will say. And I’m afraid of losing my wife’s support so I just keep talking about it and never acting upon what I know God has placed in my heart. Down deep I feel like people might be dying and going to hell simply because I haven’t acted. Even though I know God is bigger than me, I still feel responsible because I am a Christian with such little faith.
that I’m not really willing to be uncomfortable for Christ … I might choose to follow, but it’s only to a slightly less cushy comfort zone (and what it lacks in financial comfort, it makes up for in spiritual – so it evens out – still comfortable)
that my parents, who put more importance on “being the church” in their community instead of “going to church,” were right all along (even when I thought they were so wrong for not being “officially plugged in somewhere”)
how about the church saying sin is fine as long as we find a way to justify it to the greater culture… oh wait, I guess we have always done that…
never mind, I probably don’t have an original thought in my own head lol
My pastor had embezzled money from the church. He doesn’t respect women and abuses any that work for him.
I mean…my pastor has embezzled money from the church.
I often compare the ministry i lead to that of others. When I find some that I don’t think are “as good as mine,” I get prideful. When I find them that are “better than mine” I wallow in self pity. Rather than helping equip or rejoicing in the kingdom, I am judgmental, both of others and myself.