The above phrase was the title of a song that Brian Healey offered to let my old band (LC) use if we wanted. I can't remember the words to the song, but if they didn't turn on the concept of the title and bite it, I wouldn't be interested. While a funny title (and God bless Brian), I think this phrase, this concept, this feeling is in error. It's incomplete in a way. It's good to say those things -- don't get me wrong. A prayer like that is a GREAT prayer, because it might be honest. But moving beyond the feelings of hating the bride or body of Christ is what needs to happen.
The chapter of PDL today (chap 17) talked about this subject. The church is not a man-made institution. If we have a problem with "organized religion," then we should take it up with the Organizer of it -- Jesus. He built the church, establishing it as His body on earth who, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, acts out His work.
Now, while we shouldn't ignore our shortcomings and fess up to our sins as believers -- individually and collectively -- we can't let our frustration take us to the extreme of renouncing the church or cutting ourselves off from it. We need the church and the church needs us.
Good words. Man, this life we live can be messy sometimes. Sometimes we feel hurt and blame it on the church, or we allow our hurt from another person to effect our activity, connection, and perspective on the church. Ouch! Nobody ever said this stuff would be easy...
-#81
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at April 1, 2004 08:30 AM