Who Are We Kidding?

“Churches that over-focus on the needs of insiders will eventually have only insiders.” — Carey Nieuwhof

You and I know those kinds of churches.

I’ve even pastored one or two over my 40+ years in the parish.

Painful Confession: Their complaints, bickering, threats, attacks, and incipient chaos wore me down. Unrealistic expectations and unrelenting demands eventually took their toll. They finally wore me out. It became easier to leave. I regret that. Greatly. And I’m far from the only person, pastor or not, to have experienced that.

Possible Correction: As best as we can in this pandemic era with its attendant restrictions, let’s take a long look at the people of our churches. Who’s involved? Who gets our attention and energy?

I have to admit Carey Nieuwhof is right: “Churches that over-focus on the needs of insiders will eventually have only insiders.”

This is not the goal Christ Jesus gave us when he said —

“God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19, 20a)

— If we’re not doing that, who are we kidding?

And the rest of that concludes with Christ Jesus promising us this —

I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)

— He wasn’t kidding.