We focus a lot of energy on this website to the things the Church does wrong, but that doesn't mean we don't notice all that the church does right. This blog is devoted to the actions of those who are making a difference by reflecting Christ's love and improving the Church's image. They are part of a growing trend that we hope continues in the Church.
Christ once said “the Truth shall set you free.” Anyone who has spent more than five minutes in a church has quickly learned that there are some truths church people just don’t want to hear.
Anne Jackson, a pastor’s kid, learned this when she struggled with pornography. Her experience led her to write the book “Permission to Speak Freely” and to start a website of the same name.
Think of it as PostSecret, only instead of just writing secrets they haven’t told anyone, Jackson is encouraging people to post the secrets they feel they can’t share with the family of God. Openness, freedom and love— the Church could sure use a lot more of that.
Filed under “Things We Need to See More Of” this week is a blog post by Worship Leader Carlos Whittaker. In his post, “God’s Power, Prayer, and Paxil” he opens up about his struggles with anxiety and the answer he has found in the form of Paxil. He also talks about the crazy things Christians say to people who find themselves in need of medication of one form or another and sets the record straight about how God provides in ways we don’t understand, and that isn’t just limited to miracles and supernatural healing.
Oh, and for those of you who still want to judge, you might want to take a look at the statistics used in Whittaker’s blog post. He is not the only church leader who is on anxiety medication. In fact, he isn’t even in the minority.
Hats off to you, Mr. Whittaker. The Church needs more leaders like you who admit to having the same problems as people like us.
In another beautiful, yet semi-ironic example of taking the Gospel to the people, a parish from Down Under, will be bringing Jesus to an Irish Pub on Easter Sunday. St. James Anglican Church will hold Easter services this year in the bar at the Irish Club Hotel. I’ll certainly drink to that or to any form of outreach that involves the Body of Christ going into the world and meeting people where they are. It certainly beats sitting in stuffy church pews surrounded by red carpet and stained glass waiting for the world to come and sing a few hymns.
On a humorous note, I could not help but read this story and think about a song by Tim Wilson. The song is titled “First Baptist Bar and Grill” and is posted below for your amusement.
According to this article posted on CNN, Christian leaders from both sides of the political spectrum are calling for an end to hostility and are promoting civil conduct and conversations. They have signed a “Civility Covenant.” Granted, it is a little sad that folks who follow a leader who quite famously said “love your neighbor” and “love your enemy,” would ever need to sign such a covenant, but we are certainly glad to see this.
Kudos to those who have signed this document and to the civility project.
Pope Benedict this week urged Priests to become more familiar with new media. In a message delivered for the Church’s World Day of Communications, the Pope issued the following challenge:
"Priests are thus challenged to proclaim the Gospel by employing the latest generation of audio-visual resources - images, videos, animated features, blogs, websites— which, alongside traditional means, can open up broad new vistas for dialogue, evangelization and catechesis."
If the Catholic Church can pull this off, it will be engaging the culture and meeting the culture where it is—and that is incredibly Christ-like. Kudos to all Christians who are actually Christ-like.
Much to my surprise and chagrin, I actually sorta liked it. I usually view watching VeggieTales with the same disdain I do for actually eating vegetables, but this time I was actually in full agreement with the singing sprouts.
The DVD is a new release titled “Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving.” As the title implies, Christianity’s favorite limbless storytellers set out to give a reasonably accurate and entertaining version of the life of St. Nicholas. In doing so, they thoroughly mock our over-commercialization of Christmas, our materialism and our deep desire to receive instead of give. The movie repeatedly denounces our self-centered tendencies and reminds us everything belongs to God and we give because Christ gave.
I found it refreshing and highly recommend it for anyone who is trying to teach their children about giving or any adult who may need a refresher course on the subject. Below is a song by Matthew West and Amy Grant that is used as the movie’s theme.
I know a new slogan and a flashy ad campaign doesn’t equate to real change, but I can’t help but think the United Methodist Church’s “Rethink Church” campaign is a step in the right direction. I applaud the UMC for recognizing the problems with modern churches and some of the negative connotations the word “church” carries with it. I also applaud them for pointing out what needs to be done to make the church as a whole more Christ-like. This is the direction all denominations and individual Christians should move in.
If you haven’t seen the latest testimony on our Filthy Rags blog, check it out. The church has done a lot of damage to folks with mental illness, but we found a group that’s trying to do something about it: Kudos to Mental Health Ministries for shedding light on an often overlooked need in the Church.
This ministry was started by Rev. Susan Gregg Schroeder, a United Methodist elder who is clear that mental health has been a victim of the Church. Schroeder has seen the Church ignore folks diagnosed with a mental disease. Like Pearce’s testimony, she explains that “mental illness is thought of as a moral or spiritual failure rather than a treatable illness.”
The website, www.mentalhealthministries.net, has a list of things churches can do to talk about mental health openly. The suggestions range from depression inventories to workshops to help recovering veterans. The site also has a section for people to submit their ideas and links to other national organizations.
Think you don’t know anyone with a mental disorder? The site claims “according to the Surgeon General, one in every five Americans experiences a mental disorder in any given year and half.”
Through the efforts of organizations like Mental Health Ministries, Pearce’s testimony could become a thing of the past. Maybe with this organization’s help, we won’t get so hung up on doctrine and misunderstood beliefs.
What you can do: Take part in the nationwide Mental Health events:
The first week in October is National Mental Health Awareness Week.
Tuesday, October 6, is the National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding.
Thursday, October 8, is National Depression Screening Day.
Let’s remember why this matters: “My point is simple: I would like to urge the church to develop a better understanding of psychiatric conditions and the physical, often genetic abnormalities that can cause them. I am hoping that in the time since I attended, you as a whole have become more educated in these areas. If not, I believe it absolutely crucial that you do so as soon as possible.” -Words from Pearce, a victim of the church’s ignorance about mental health
Aside from the fact that Derek Webb is awesome through and through and seems to really get it, we must give special kudos for his latest tour, called the Black Eye tour. A look through the tour dates and locations on his website shows typical concert venues and theaters—but then there are some more surprising venues. Webb is actually taking his music to bars and coffee shops. This is a sterling example of taking the Gospel where it is needed most. It is easy to promote a concert to local churches and to preach the name of Jesus to the choir. It takes a special boldness to sing music with a strong Christian theme in a bar. However, it looks a whole lot like what Jesus would do.
I found this story recently while reading another blog I frequent weekly. It’s about a Baptist Church in Texas that has a long-standing relationship with the local Hooters restaurant. Their most recent project together was to raise money for the only church left standing on Oak Island after Hurricane Ike.
This story incredibly refreshing. It is always good to see the church in action, and the description of how God worked in this relationship between a Baptist church and a restaurant known for its scantily clad women reminded me of several stories of Jesus where He shows compassion on people most Christians today would consider unsavory.
So, hats off to the pastors and congregation members at Rice Temple Baptist Church in Houston for loving instead of condemning. This is what sharing Christ-like love with a world in need is all about. You are a shining example to all churches of what we need to be doing more of.
