Circuit Thoughts

As I was preparing for my upcoming sermon, a question arose in my brain, (yes, I have one). The question was “Why do people run away from church”. Interestingly enough, Jesus gives us an answer to that.

John 10:1-10 is Jesus’ discourse on the sheepfold gate. He talks about anyone who does not go by way of the gate, is a thief. But He also talks about the sheep not following a stranger, in fact they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.

This got me to thinking. What if the reason so many people leave the church is not because of distractions from the outside, but from the strangers within? What if we have allowed too many false teachers to lead our churches, and the people recognize it?

I know, this may be upsetting, but when you think about it, how truthful are we being in church? Look, I’m not trying to be despairing about your denominations or ministers. Some of my best friends go to other churches. (That sounded funnier in my head.) But how many times have we truly looked at what we are teaching over all? For instance:

Are we teaching Agape love, or just familiarity?

Are we living the Gospel, or just using it to our own ends?

Are we so tied up in the doctrines and dogmas of the church that we have no compassion for strangers?

Are we the healers of brokenness, or the cause of brokenness?

These are just a few of the questions we should be asking ourselves when we ask about the people who steer away from the church. Let’s face it, if you drop a hymnal in church, or maybe sit in the wrong pew, you run the risk of upsetting people. But if you spill a drink in the bar, the waitress will clean it up without a fuss. In a bar, you can sit anywhere you want. Which place is more inviting?

Jesus is telling us that He is the only way to the Kingdom. He is the Good Shepherd, we as church members need to imitate Him. Christ offered Grace. He offered a better life. He offered Himself.

Maybe just maybe we need to consider rethinking our call to ministry. Maybe it is time to follow the Good Shepherd and help those who have run away from the false shepherds. Maybe it’s time to show them who the true Shepherd is. We can only show the real Shepherd if we live the real Shepherd.

The only way to live in the Shepherd is through your Church, your Study, your Worship, and your prayers. Maybe helping people to stop running away means we must start running towards Christ. (I know, sounds like a lot of maybes.)

False shepherds come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but with prayer, study, worship, and love, we can tell who is real and who isn’t.

Just some thoughts on how Christ might change the world though us.

Shalom my friends.

See you in church.