A week ago one female blogger in the states posted her 15 reasons why she left her church. I don’t know her. I don’t know her church. I’m not going to assess her decision. What has been intriguing, however, is the comments that have followed. Nearly 800 responses, many of which have been profoundly caustic. Some, down-right unkind.
It might be that some of the blogger’s assessments of her church feel very alien to other members. If her comments were unfair, it is right that they are challenged. Her understanding of Scripture may well need some discussion. But having said that, I’m saddened that the responses haven’t been spoken humbly and in love.
I could rant about the dangers of quick-fire blogging and commenting that can all too often reflect “heat of the moment” emotion much more than “godly wisdom”. I could wax lyrical about postmodern culture (or just the nature of fallen humanity) that has the tendency to be self-seeking rather than other-serving. But I probably shouldn’t. It’s very easy to criticize what’s happening “out there”. It’s far more important to turn a thoughtful eye to our own hearts. So instead I’ll pose the question: how do we – you and I respond when someone leaves church? Do we display a balanced attitude of truth and love that unswervingly seeks the good of the precious sheep leaving the fold?
Or to put it more practically, here’s a challenge for the weekend (one that I am posing from a position of weakness not strength). Think of someone who has left church, someone who stays home on Sunday these days. And ask yourself 5 questions:
As Christians we are called to love God and our neighbours (Luke 10:27), love our brothers and sisters in Christ (Hebrews 13:1) and our enemies (Luke 6:27). It’s pretty certain, then, that we’re called to love Church-leavers too … and to do so right now.
