Toxins and Terminal Diseases in the Body of Christ
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Sun, July 17, 2005
- Viewed 133
- (63) comments so far
Have you ever stood in a church parking lot and listened to a story that ended with one of these sentences?
"That church split over the color of the carpet!"
"She walked right up to the pulpit and slapped the pastor!"
"The deacon's meeting ended in an actual fist fight!"
Disturbing, isn't it? Local churches all over the world split so often that it is almost an assumed end. Pastors are fired, members storm off, staff members take a group from one church to start another just down the road. Business meetings become Christian versions of Thunderdome. Yelling, fighting, screaming. Taking sides against fellow believers. Doubting one another's salvation. Power plays, deception, and alliances that would rival any Survivor episode.
Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, "How in the world did we get here? Is this what church is supposed to be like?"
Have you ever wondered why members of the church of the living God sometimes act like nonbelievers?
Have you ever thought that church might be fun and fulfilling, were it not for the people inside the building?
Have you ever been so completed outraged by actions in the church that you swore off church completely?
Have you ever felt that going to church was a waste of your time?
Have you ever wondered why God would even save some of these folk, much less use them in leadership in a local church?
Well, so have we.
You read correctly. two men, with a combined fifty years of pastoral experience, have been frustrated often by the churches we were called to serve. In truth, so are most pastors. When we gather in conventions and meetings, ministers often speak in hushed tones and whispers, relaying stories of horrific business meetings, contentious committees, and brutal fellowships. And dear reader, if we were to be painfully honest, so can we all.
Virtually every Christian, active in a local assembly, can share stories that defy the imagination. Church is not supposed to be this way.
Does any of this resonate with you? I know when I read this, I immediately thought, "Yeah... this is what I've thought for a long time." You see, I may be a little naive... but I don't think that it should be that hard to get along with people... yet as both a church staff member and a layman I've found that people offend very easily (and I hope I don't offend that easily as well!) Should getting along really be all that hard? Why do churches have to be nastier (or at least as nasty) as the world sometimes? I've asked these questions for a long time, and I'm hoping as I read through this book that Mac and Ergun can help give me some answers. 
As a matter of fact, I'd like to invite you along for the journey... here's my invitation. Oprah has a monthly book club (I am told) that gets everyone reading the same book for discussion. That's what I'd like to do here. If this book sounds as interesting to you as it does to me; order a copy; and let's work through it together. It's only around ten bucks at Amazon.com... and if you order it now, we can start our journey together starting next week. Whadaya say?
Let's discuss these questions here at the MMI Blog today; and if you decide to order the book and join our little 'book club discussion', please leave a comment below telling us 'you're in'!
Have a great week!
I started reading a book last week that I loved from the start! It’s called Why Churches Die: Diagnosing Lethal Poisons in the Body of Christ by Mac Brunson and Ergun Caner. Chapter one is subtitled: "Extending the Right Fist of Fellowship". See if you can relate to how Mac and Ergun start the book…
Comments
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Derek Lazarus on Mon, July 18, 2005
Hi Todd
Just ordered the book “Why Churches Die”. I hope to get in a about two days. I would like to be in the discussion.
Have A Great Day.
Cory Kemp on Mon, July 18, 2005
I paraphrase Dr.Wayne Dyer: Some people wake up looking to be offended, and they are not disappointed.
What is sad is that we in the church then cater to and coddle people in their need to be in a constant state of offense. I don’t recall Jesus doing that. Patience, kindness andlove don’t have to be juztaposed with honesty. And, if people sometimes get huffy and leave, so be it.
Todd Rhoades on Mon, July 18, 2005
Great Derek! Way to be a ‘trail-blazer’! http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif Any other takers?
Todd
David Poole on Mon, July 18, 2005
I just ordered the book. I am in for the discussion!
Todd Rhoades on Mon, July 18, 2005
Great Dave! Look forward to sharing with you!
Todd
stephen on Mon, July 18, 2005
What an interesting article to pull up right after the chief burr in my saddle just walked out of my study. He’s a retired pastor who doesn’t know how not to be the pastor. It makes me want to rejoin the ranks of the laity ... but if/when I ever do, I sincerely pray I won’t be like him and others like him. God help us all!
Thanks for MMI—it helps ... a lot!
Richard Wollard on Mon, July 18, 2005
Wow, this will hit a nerve. Just ordered the book, and looking forward to the discussion.
Todd Rhoades on Mon, July 18, 2005
Welcome, Richard… that brings our Oprah book club up to four now! http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif How many did Oprah have?
Todd
Jeff Freeman on Mon, July 18, 2005
Hey, guys… I just woke up and checked my e-mail… was SO surprised to see this blog… but have to smile inside. The last church we pastored—my boyhood church—could have provided all the fodder for this book. Who would have known? Fortunately, my wife and I recovered and are still in the ministry. I’ve often wondered if God has a special place in heaven (“if they even go there”?) for the matriarchal spirits that dominate the deacon/elder board—ha! Blessings on all of you!
Steve on Mon, July 18, 2005
I’m in. Ordering the book now. Sounds great!
Todd you write: Should getting along really be all that hard? Why do churches have to be nastier (or at least as nasty) as the world sometimes?
I agree. I have often wished the church would run like the pickup basketball game at my local court. You know you step inside the game, you play hard as a team and you play hard against the other team. Sure, a dispute breaks out once in a while, complaints happen about “bad calls”, screaming ensues and maybe even a little “polite” shoving happens here and there. But regardless of the result, regardless of the score, we shake hands and say “good game” and move on.
Now, if it’s a church basketball tournament…man are those things brutal! I would rather play pickup basketball at the local park then ever step inside a church tourney game! Geesh!
Todd Rhoades on Mon, July 18, 2005
Uh oh… it just got a lot more interesting now that Steve from StupidChurchPeople.com is ‘in’. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif We’re up to five. Do I hear six? Wonder what a reasonable goal would be?
Todd
Dave Bentley on Mon, July 18, 2005
I’m in. Looking forward to the insight and sharing this will ilicit.
Todd Rhoades on Mon, July 18, 2005
Dave B. makes 6… welcome Dave!
Tony Story on Mon, July 18, 2005
I’m ordering the book today. I’m in.
Tony Story
Jeff Freeman on Mon, July 18, 2005
Todd and everyone else—Good morning, again… I am now actually awake. I just ordered the book—my first Amazon.com experience. I have now just gone through twenty minutes of memories of our pastoral experience in Indiana at a Congregational church. I’m looking forward to reading the book—it may confirm that I was NOT totally crazy and these things DO happen at other churches. We have now returned to Southern California where we are involved with a wonderful church called “The Church On The Way”—maybe you’ve heard of it. (please stop by if you’re in the neighborhood!) Anyway, this will also be one of my first “blog groups”—so be patient with me. Bottom line, may Jesus be glorified in all of this! Let’s keep loving and serving people! For those of you who have Monday as a day off (I remember these days)—have a GREAT ONE!!!
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