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| WWJD About Church Cliques |
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So what would Jesus do about church cliques? I think I might have an idea. First of all, I don’t think Jesus would be hanging around the people who already have plenty of people to hang around, nor do I think He would be waiting in line to see the Pastor after church. My Lord would be busy seeking and saving the lost; just as He did during His ministry here on earth, and continues to do today.
My point today is that if we want to seek to be more like Him, shouldn’t we also be taking the time to seek out these individuals? When we go to church, don’t we often get caught up in talking to our friends? Can I suggest that we get with our friends during the week instead? This way, we might have time to look for someone who may be visiting for the first time; or someone who may be going through a very difficult time.
We might not always know who these people are, but the Lord does. So how about a quick prayer before church? Something like, “Lord, may You minister to the lonely today, heal the broken hearted, heal the sick, set the captives free, and save the lost; through me. Use me, direct me to these folks, so that You may be glorified.”
David from my local church wrote a wonderful blog titled, “Where is Your Faith and Your Treasure.” David writes:
“People of lesser means are ostracized because they are different or not on par economically as the rest. People who have been abused have personalities that are far different than the average person, there is a self-protective mode that is almost impossible to penetrate. They take far more patience and far more love than the average person. Those who have been abused can make the average person uncomfortable, but so what.” David the Beloved
When church is over; instead of leaving, getting in line for the Pastor (or his wife), or looking for your friends; how about looking for someone who really needs a special touch from the Lord? How about seeking to bless, instead of seeking to be blessed? Especially if you are one of the lonely, lost or sick. What better way to be blessed, than to bless others? The blessings seem to bounce right back at you, don’t they??
But as far as I can see it, the Pastor’s keep getting busier, and our friends keep getting more friends. While the lonely keep getting lonelier, the lost are more lost, and the sick are getting sicker. So I leave you with this….WWJD about church cliques? I think he would be seeking out the lost, the lonely, and the broken hearted. He would leave the 99 to find the one that is lost.
15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
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| Sue, this is an amazingly relevant message. Have you posted this to the church blog? This one is a definite! ~mike |
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Sue |
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May 13, 2007 at 9:04pm |
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| I will after I sleep on it and make sure that I don't have to have PastorDan re-approve it 5 times :) |
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I know what you mean. I had my mothers day blog on there, but after the third edit I simply took it off there, so I could have the freedom to keep tinkering. The ones that are pretty static can go on there though. |
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Julia |
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May 14, 2007 at 9:44am |
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WOW! You said a mouthfull Sue. I have visited several churches in my past that did not make me feel welcome. I have also belonged to a church where I noticed that, on a particular Sunday, I was the only one that went to a visitor and welcomed her and offered her a mint. I was embarrased because my church family was so busy "catching up" that they hadn't noticed her take her seat. This problem is not restricted to the sanctuary either. There have been countless times in my life where I was anxious to jump into the sunday school lesson I had been studying, but had to wait 15 - 20 minutes into the class time because so many people were merely visiting one another. The main reason this is bothersome is because we then would be unable to complete the lesson. I must admit there were times when I was tempted to ask them if they would mind exchanging phone numbers so that they could talk on Saturday night and be ready for Bible study on Sunday morning. (LOL).
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Kathy |
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May 14, 2007 at 7:40pm |
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| Great blog, Sue! Such a real and important issue! |
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Sue |
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May 14, 2007 at 10:09pm |
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Well, it sounds like we are all on the same page :) I am sure glad to hear that others can see this as an issue in the church. I think far to many people slip through the cracks because of the things I listed up top. I think Jesus would be taking the opposite approach that many Christians take today. |
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Rosie |
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May 15, 2007 at 8:46am |
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| I say Amen to your blog and for saying it. Let us truely do what Jesus would do. Friends are there 7 days a week for you but you may only get one shot with the lost or troubled..or hurting........ |
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| Very well put Sue. You're so right about the rewards coming back. I knew I would hate spending a day in the hospital with and elderly man who has many of the same health problems my my did. I didn't want to relive what I went through with mom, bring back memories making me miss her. But I was there and from my past experience it helped me to help him better. I knew what questions to ask the doctors, nurses, aids and all. Then at one point he grabbed my hand and there were tears in his eyes as he thanked me for staying there with him during this bout with congestive heart failure, high blood glucose level, and severe bronchitis. We hugged and I let him know that I was happy to be there, and I realized that I was happy to be there. It brought a lot of comfort and courage to him. The doctor wanted to know how I got the knowledge about his medical issues and I explained to him what I went through with my mom. He told my friend to listien to me, and he does--for the most part. It also brings comfort to his wife and daughter, that someone understands what he's going through. These are things you experience as you get involved with those who need your help and encouragement. It's the unspeakable joy the bible talks about. |
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Sue |
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May 16, 2007 at 8:06pm |
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| Thanks so much David. And thanks again for letting me quote your awesome blog! |
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Norm |
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May 16, 2007 at 9:12pm |
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I'm here to do the food for thought thing. It's my official pot stirring for the day. 2 points: 1) What were the disciples if not a clique? 2) If Jesus walked through your door and you could follow him (while ignoring others) would you? Again food for thought. I'm not saying anyone is off base here. |
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Cathy |
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May 17, 2007 at 12:15pm |
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| Very Interesting !!! |
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Sue |
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May 17, 2007 at 7:00pm |
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I wanted to answer a question that was sent to me in my message box. The question was "Sue, do you think there are cliques at Calvary Community Church?" The reason I wanted to post this publically is just in case someone else may be wondering the same thing and just didn't ask. So here it goes....
Since I have been on MyChurch I have had numerous ideas for blog postings. So many so, that I keep a list at my computer. The only way I can really determine when it is the appropriate time to actually post a blog idea, is that the Lord gives me a title. I do think the titles are from the Lord because, quite frankly, I wouldn't be able to come up with them on my own.
Having said that, I had the idea of the content of the blog first, then the Lord gave me the title. So I did not title the blog with Calvary Community Church in mind. It was simply the title I felt the Lord gave me for this topic.
So No, I do not think there are "cliques" at Calvary Community Church. And what I do speak of in this blog is a general statement for all Christians. I wasn't referring to anyone or any group of people in particular. Just wanted to clear the air :)
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Sue |
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May 17, 2007 at 10:22pm |
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Norm, Sorry, I didn't forget you :) First of all, I am truly honored to have received one of the highly-coveted, rarely-seen, Norm Stars!!!
I know you were just putting food for thought out there, but I do have a response to your questions.
1.) I never suggested in my original post that we not have friends. If we only seek and hang around people who are in need, we will certainly burn out. I believe that is what friends are for (ie: Jesus' Disciples) Our friends rejuvenate and encourage us. Which we need. We also need to share that encouragement with the less fortunate. So yes, have friends and fellowship, by all means! But don't forget the lonely and lost in the process! I hope this came out okay, I am not suggesting that a friend and someone who is less fortunate cannot be the same person. There are times when I am the friend and other times when I am the needy :) And I would venture to say that we would all fall into both categories from time to time.
2.) I think this is a rhetorical question :) So my answer is.....I think that if we are ignoring others, we must not be following Jesus!
Norm, I do love when someone puts a thought into the mix that I did not come up with in my original post, so thanks!
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Norm |
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May 18, 2007 at 5:12am |
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Sue 1) It was more than a group of friends. You may want to read the surrounding sections of this: 1:23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsab'bas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthi'as. 1:24 And they prayed and said, "Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen 1:25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place." 1:26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthi'as; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles. 2) It wasn't rhetorical in the sense that I didn't want people to respond, although I do regret the way I phrased it. My point was if you read about the apostles while Jesus was on earth, how often do you see them actually interact with others? Actually there is more in there describing how they played crowd control than there is about them speaking to others. |
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Norm |
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May 18, 2007 at 5:18am |
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| And I didn't feel like I was being ignored. I had said it was food for thought (but I like the discussion anyways). |
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| Sue, I just realized that there is a fair amount of overlap between your exortation to expand our attention beyond our close circle of friends at church to others who could benefit from our friendliness, and my own suggestion that we put aside our "natural" inclination to accept a regular seat assignment at church and instead sit with someone new each Sunday. A practical idea to reach out to others while at the same time reaching our for God! ~mike |
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Cathy |
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May 18, 2007 at 6:52am |
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Sue,
I'm sorry I had to chuckle about you having to explain your blog above!!! It's funny when you type your comments or blog and there is always someone out there that thinks your talking about them ( or our church ) personnally! Relax people !!!!!!!!! |
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Sue |
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May 18, 2007 at 9:00am |
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| Cathy, The question sent me to was not from someone who was thinking that I thought there were cliques, but rather asking me if I did. This person did not mean anything negative by it. Not a chance :) |
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Sue |
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May 18, 2007 at 9:01am |
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| oh, and GREAT plug Mike!!! |
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| Good thought, Sue. We also need to go beyond the doors to the people not able to attend our (in my case) suburban churches. I met someone this week who has AIDS. She told me many churches have shunned her, telling her they didn't have a program for 'her kind,' or that they were concerned about the effect on their insurance. The lost sheep are, by definition, somewhere else and require us going to find them. |
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Yes, In answer to Beadman. Yes we do have to seek the lost. Therefore, we, the Christians are the "seekers". The lost are NOT seeking at all but are lost. So a seeker friendly church is one that has Christians (friendly ones) that are actively seeking the lost...and dragging them into the Kingdom if necessary LOL. |
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Sue |
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May 25, 2007 at 4:44pm |
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Excellent contribution to this post BeadMan! If I would have thought past the church walls, it would have been in the original post :) So thank you! |
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| I just wish students in high school and middle school youth groups could understand this ... oh how it would change their life ... |
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One thing about that: the kids have the tendency to reflect what their respected leaders accept as "acceptable". When we show by our actions that cliques are ok -- regardless of what our words may say -- then they'll do the same. But when we bring them up to walk with and follow the footsteps of the Lord (as parents or as disciplers), which includes sharing the Light with any and every who comes around, they won't have near so much a problem with talking to and getting to know "that one kid" who doesn't have the friendship of the other 99%. They don't need us to tell them, they need us to SHOW them. :) Meaning WE can't be all "cliquey" at big church while telling them to mix it up in children's/youth ministry. |
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Doug |
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May 30, 2007 at 7:12pm |
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| You hit the nail on the head here Sue. I have to admit that I have really grown tired of the church scene and you explained a big reason why I have. I pray others will read this and pay attention. |
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Sue |
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May 31, 2007 at 10:06pm |
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Metal, It sounds like you have been down a rough road. Stay on the staight and narrow path :) I will be praying that God will send you to a good church family. They are out there.
Vicki, I am with you! Thanks for the encouragement.
Doug, I am so sorry to hear about your church experience. Do you currently attend a church? |
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Sue this blog and comments are very eye-opening.thanks for starting this conversation.
Love ya |
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We should be reaching out to the new vistors.. and greeting them. It is important.. no vital.. to help them feel loved and comfortable.. Oh.. I totally thing Jesus would be with the babies in the nursery.  |
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| This was a really good blog.I think we are all guilty of doing this at timesIt definitely made me stop and evaluate. |
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Brooke |
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February 27, 2008 at 11:51am |
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Awesome! I wish there was a way to get my youth pastor to read this^_^ Well...Thanks for the cool post Sue! |
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