Faith verus Religion

In God's Hand's II by Lester Kerns

 

I have made no bones about voicing my indignation with the current state of religion especially as it refers to the African-American church.  So it stands to reason that my self imposed exile would eventually draw the voice of those around me who love me, but are entrenched in “church life”. 

During this Easter season I am reminded (repeatedly) that I need to go to church.   Apparently, I have backslid into sin. 

Whoa!  I wasn’t aware of my state of affairs.  I was under the impression that I had ascended to a higher plane of Christian understanding and my refusal to sit and subject myself to false teaching and religious agendas had brought me closer to God.   

I understand that many people cannot imagine meeting God anywhere but in a church house, but where is it written that church was His only stopping place.  

The conversation usually plays out something like this.

Them:  You should go to church. You don’t have to go with us, but you should find a church home.

Me:  Why?

Them:  Because you need to be in church.  The bible says you shouldn’t forsake the gathering of believers.  You could go to church sometimes. 

Me:  Are you a believer?

Them:  Yes.

Me:  Aren’t we gathered?  We are even talking about religion.  Doesn’t the Bible say “where 1 or 2 are gather in his name…”

Them:  You just need to find a church home! 

Me:  Really?  I need to?  Why? 

Them:  “Well, because you need it.” 

Me:  *Blank stare, slightly raised eyebrows, tilted head and slight smirk* 

Them:  You need to be covered/taught/study

Me:  covered by a pastor who is doing what I am doing or worse/ Taught what they want me to see their way by a pastor who uses the bible to further his own ambitions/ I can study by myself — who made the rule that I couldn’t study alone?

Them:  *Frustrated Sigh* followed by *Crickets*

Now, let me be clear.  All pastors are not crooks, whoremongers, power brokers, or liars.  There are some who truly seek God and live their lives in a way that attempts to be their best person in God’s eyes every day.  I haven’t met that pastor here in Youngstown, OH (and I have met about 50% of the black Pastors here), but I am positive he/she exists (they must be in that 50% I don’t know).

However, I will never understand why it is readily assumed that I am backslid because I have made a conscious choice to worship in private and outside the walls of a church house.  When did God make the rule that my attendance at a church was a condition of salvation? 

I thought the only condition was that I believe with my whole heart in the divinity, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Did the rules change since I quit going to church?  If they did then maybe I’m not saved after all, and if God can just up and change then maybe I don’t want to be. 

Wait!  God said “I am not a man that I should lie nor am I the son of man that I may change my mind” (Numbers 23:19)”

Hmmm… I guess my God hasn’t changed the rules.  *WHEW*

Those who run the churches are finding their memberships dwindle to those few who remain loyal to the building even if the Pastor drips unholy behavior.   While there is an increase in the amphitheater styled Mega churches where many can worship in ignorant bliss of the political machinations that go on behind the scenes.  I fully believe that is the true draw of these places.  I know God moves in spite of us and for those of us wounded by knowing too much the best place to hide — is in plain sight.  We can go, worship, and go home without fear of being drawn into the mess that is always behind the scenes.  I have opted to stand steadfast in this place of exile until God himself moves me, and I trust that when he moves me it will be into a place he knows I can handle.   

I recently told a friend who has a relative that opened the doors for a small congregation, that while the politics of the church are innocuous now, the more people who join and are given leadership positions increases the politics exponentially.  We are human and we jockey for position as a result of our nature.  I have seen it happen and if I am really honest I will admit that when I found myself in that place of power I was part of the problem.  I turned a blind eye to wrong doing and I hid unchristian behaviors, and it was all done under the guise of salvation.  You’d be surprised just how easy it is to fall into that trap.  This is why I step lightly and guard my salvation and freedom with ferociousness like that of a mama bear guarding her cubs.  It is just that precious to me because I have experienced having it tainted and bound.            

Recently, there was a poll (see here) done saying that Christian religious affiliation has dropped in America.  I have to wonder if this decrease is a referendum on religious politics rather than faith in God. 

Just a thought.