Calling BS on Those Who Have Given Up on Church

If you have given up on church because the church is anti-LGBTQ, anti-women, full of hypocrites, too interested in social status and not interested enough in helping the poor and the marginalized,  you clearly haven’t looked very hard for a church.

There are plenty of churches (like mine) that are welcoming and affirming, have LGBTQ people and women in leadership roles, wear shorts to church and turn tiny amounts of resources into amazing ministry and mission in the community that surrounds them.  And yes, we are a mess. And we are indeed hypocrites, because all of us fall short of living out what we say we believe. But we keep trying. Together.

The deal is that our much more conservative brothers and sisters in Christ show up to gather with one another once, twice, sometimes even three times a week. The progressive Christian averages once a month (if they come at all).  If Woody Allen was right and 80 percent of success is showing up, the progressive, inclusive and welcoming church is in a heap of trouble.

If you’re not going to show up, at least be honest about why. There are legit reasons. Your kids have activities, you’d rather be protesting than worshipping, you enjoy one morning a week where you don’t have to be anywhere, you’re just too tired to make the effort. We get it. We really do.

But don’t pretend there aren’t churches out there welcoming whoever comes in the door, serving the least of these and fighting for justice in the name of Jesus Christ. You don’t have to show up, but don’t pretend we don’t exist to excuse yourself from participation.

You May Also Like

A Little Help with the Relatives

A Hard Drinking Tattooed Country Music Christianity

Full discIosure: I am daunted

Forgiveness is not a weapon