Comments on: A Cloud of SERIOUSLY Flawed Witnesses

By: Kathryn de Belle

Kathryn de Belle — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 23:00:31 +0000

Do we only come to Christ because of our pain? Many people do, but is it true of everyone? What about naturally happy people?
It is interesting to me that in all my working, non-churchgoing life, I never encountered or witnessed behaviour anything like what I came across in a church, and hear about in other churches. Where I worked, there was acceptance, good-will, kindness and decency, as well as the negative side of life, so I expected more from a church, certainly not less.
I would like not to think this way, but I do. Having said all that, I believe I was called to go to my first Church but I've not yet figured out why, unless it was to help someone, which I may have done. And I made some spiritual progress. I'll be defeating my own argument if I don't quit now!

By: Anita

Anita — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:45:19 +0000

I think pain is inevitable in churches. We come to Christ because of our pain, and are only healed gradually. So a church can be a group of hurting people in the process of being healed. And people in pain wound.
However, there is so much acceptance, good will, kindness, decency and peace in a good church that it is worth the pain to keep on looking.
Churches go through life-cycles, and occasionally become toxic because of the fear, power-hunger, neuroses, and ambition of the leaders or dominant individuals.
If your church brings more pain than peace, it's fine to continue the search for a less toxic church. I left a painful, toxic church earlier this year for a healthy, kind one--and am so happy I did so, and wish I had done it earlier!!

By: Looking for a path...

Looking for a path... — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:38:18 +0000

It can be very hard to put bitterness and resentment behind us. The events that cause them can do so much harm. I do agree though that through prayer, blessing and forgiveness, we can entrust these things to God. He then free's our souls to look to the future. We, and those who hurt us, are not perfect, we are not christ like. But we can learn to love ourselves and them and aspire to be christ like.
My journey wouldn't have got me here today without forgiving and forgiveness, blessings and being blessed.
Great post, very thought provoking.

By: Chris Jefferies

Chris Jefferies — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:23:51 +0000

You reminded me of this old song again, 'Be like your Father'. (Don't miss the small snippet that you can listen to.)

And Kathryn, you are quite right. Although we are called to forgive, we are not called to accept the unacceptable. Jesus didn't.

The Spirit of Christ living in us does two things. He gives us gifts, and he produces fruit in our lives. Gifts can be misused, fruit cannot. See the last paragraph of 'Coventry Cathedral'.

All we can do, I think, is focus on fruit in our own lives and encourage it in the lives of others. And walk in the peace and grace and light of his presence.

By: Kathryn de Belle

Kathryn de Belle — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:01:41 +0000

I understand what you say, though I need to think harder about some of it. But even though I forgive what was done to me, I can't accept what I know goes on in several churches. I need a church, but I'm so suspicious now. This brings out the cynic in me which is damaging to myself, and possibly others though I pray not so. Basically, I don't get it. I understand negative feelings only too well, but I don't get how people can't see what they're doing as a result of their feelings, and fight it!

Thanks for what you have written.