how about less video's, and more posts
Alright.
When I left the church a couple years ago, I left with my beliefs and passion to be a better Christ follower. It was a liberating move to leave the circle jerk of the church. I had a plan to just “want Christ” without any extra shit. But the questions kept piling on and the answers were nonexistent.
Now I don’t know what I believe, but I know of things I DO NOT believe in anymore:
-Church (Obviously)
All churches are cultish if you think about it. Every church wants you to be involved with their schedule, rituals, speech, finances, etc.. And it is never encouraged to go to a different church, unless you are causing a headache at that church of course.
-Prayer
Just plain stupid. Giving God the credit when good things happen, but defending him when it doesn’t (“not his will”).
-Friendships made in the church
Try leaving the church and see how long those friendships last.
It is almost TOO easy to stop believing in christianity as a whole. I don’t know if I can yet. My head says forget it, my heart says hang on. But for now I will just live my life and posting videos on my blog. And for all the video haters out there, here is a special one just for you:
When I left the church a couple years ago, I left with my beliefs and passion to be a better Christ follower. It was a liberating move to leave the circle jerk of the church. I had a plan to just “want Christ” without any extra shit. But the questions kept piling on and the answers were nonexistent.
Now I don’t know what I believe, but I know of things I DO NOT believe in anymore:
-Church (Obviously)
All churches are cultish if you think about it. Every church wants you to be involved with their schedule, rituals, speech, finances, etc.. And it is never encouraged to go to a different church, unless you are causing a headache at that church of course.
-Prayer
Just plain stupid. Giving God the credit when good things happen, but defending him when it doesn’t (“not his will”).
-Friendships made in the church
Try leaving the church and see how long those friendships last.
It is almost TOO easy to stop believing in christianity as a whole. I don’t know if I can yet. My head says forget it, my heart says hang on. But for now I will just live my life and posting videos on my blog. And for all the video haters out there, here is a special one just for you:
posted by Joshua Sager at
1:41 PM
10 Comments:
Funny. I have the mp3. Never seen the video.
Regarding friendships in the church, I had a different experience. Some fell by the wayside, but the ones that were important actually strengthened as they became more intentional. In fact, my weekly beer club (currently in our third year) was a result of our desperation to be together. I also became acutely aware that friendship is a two-way street.
I imagine that your situation was much tougher because you were on staff. The relational dynamic is far different when you're the "hired help." That's just another twist in the noose of vocational ministry. Sucks.
It's a supreme irony that my close relationships are what make church even remotely tolerable, and it's other relationships that make me want to run like hell.
I feel a blog post coming on...
no, sorry, it was just gas.
josh, besides the genius of that song, I just have one little bit of feedback on your post.
To question God, the church, Christianity is in my opinion one of the most christian things you can/should do. However, I would challenge you to re-examine some of your blanket criticisms.
I believe one of the biggest falsehoods about the church is that it's an "all or nothing" club. By that I mean that-subject to individual perspective-the church, people therein, pastors, blahblahblah, are considered to be all good or all bad. But from everything I've read in the Bible, this whole Christ following thing actually only applies to a very small group of people. So that means there are a lot of folks outside pointing in, and many more claiming to be 'inside', but really having no clue as to where they actually are.
All that to say, that I can agree with what Dorsey said. I too have a very select few people that I would call close "church friends", though I no longer attend their church...or any other one 'regularly' for that matter.
I think we (and that applies to all wrestling with this whole Christ and church equation) need to stop looking for a 'perfect' group or collective, and start focusing on foundational relationships with a few likeminded seekers (not meant in the Rickwarnian sense).
lowend, if YOU "need to stop looking" etc etc, then say that. why try to speak for other people? wait . . . you were on staff at a church, right?
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stop being such a wuss. if you're sick of Christians then just drop Church already and stop crying out for people to talk you back into it.
Overcat, you're an anonymous coward, and the reason people leave church to begin with.
I've always seen the Church more of just a collection of God's people. It's the whole "body of Christ" thing. I don't go to church, but I do what I can to be with God's people, and to me that doesn't mean just go to church on Sundays and join a couple ministry teams and volunteer time. It's just doing hat one can to be a good person to everyone around you. Spend more time outside of the church and building real relationships and not just playing a part of a 'good little Christian'
I realize I might not be making that much sense, at least I don't feel like I am. But I've been lurking on your blog and SCP, and Dorsey's and Ninjanun's and Bad Christian's for a while, because even as a new Christian I find it hard to get involved or build relationships in the church because so much of it is focused in and that seems backwards to me.
Sorry for rambling in your blog, but thanks for writing. I've appreciated the various points of views I've seen in this "unchurched" or whatever it's called blog circle.
hey amazon princess you can come to my church, we are very nice and we dont judge anyone. well, we only judge those who:
1. haven't memorized luke 13
2. cant pronounce RYRE STUDY BIBLE
3. think Aslan is a third world country
And it is never encouraged to go to a different church, unless you are causing a headache at that church of course.
...unless the different church is having special meetings with a special speaker who has "a now 'Word from the Lord'" (even though, y'know, God/Jesus/the Holy Spirit IS "the Word"). Then it's totally fine. ;)
I was right were you are about 3 years ago. Left my (Baptist) church, had tons of questions about the bible and it's consistency and all the other stuff that comes up from having being indoctrinated with what "church" should be.
After a really long journey, I have decided to be a Christian again. But I have found an amazing church. They have no programs and just one scheduled meeting on Sunday evenings (if you want something done, do it yourself), no building (rent meeting rooms from schools, hotels, other churches, etc...), and encourage you to talk about your doubts and work through them with the rest of the people in this church... many of whom have the same doubts, including the pastors at various times of their lives. Pretty much the most honest group of people I have ever encountered that call themselves Christians. That said, I don't find this church cultish in the slightest.
Anyhow, I just read through a lot of this blog and it really struck a chord with me. Press on and keep searching. It's painful sometimes, I know, but I am sure you will reach a balance some where.
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