"THOU ART THE MAN"!

Recently, I was sharing with a friend. He sent me a note that asked the question, "Why would people leave churches that teach the Truth, only to go to churches that don't 'have the fulness of the Gospel' or to Islam, etc." Those who responded, thought the idea was absolutely ridiculous--and frankly, I do, too. The difference between myself and those who responded was, I understand HOW it happens. Not only do I understand HOW it happens, but I don't blame those who leave--at least, not entirely.
I admit, there are people who leave churches for silly, immature reasons. Sure, some people will never grasp the importance of learning that "staying and praying" through most difficulties builds spiritual character. True, some folks are going to run from church to church every time things don't go their way--it happens. These are not the people I am referring to, though. In fact, those who leave aren't the focus, here. Why are the doors of our churches, revolving doors? Why are our churches emptying out? Why can't we maintain a healthy membership? Who, or what is at fault? Is it just one of those things--or is it something deeper???
When I received the note today, I read some of the responses--from mostly leaders, it appeared--I do not know them; but I recognized the spirit. It permeates our churches. That spirit that blames the hurt party--rather than acknowledges that I have caused your hurt and need to repent, and take action to restore our relationship. It's the same spirit that makes it okay for certain groups to exclude others based on position in the church, education, money, prestige and all of that other "junk". It's that same pharaisaical spirit that Jesus hated, and rebuked the Pharisee's for, time and time again.

The next day (after our conversation), ALL day, it was as if a recording of those responders played over and over in my head. I could hear the voices--although I had only read the comments. I heard the disdain, almost mockery--no understanding of what role they may have played (or, at least, no admission). I could hear them, so clearly--chuckling, deriding the "failures"! "What idiot would leave "perfection", for something less?" Then, I heard another voice--the voice of the prophet, Nathan. It resounded, as if he was there in the room with me, saying, "Tell them, THOU ART THE MAN!"
When David conspired to have Uriah murdered, and Nathan confronted him--David's repentance was immediate and without excuse! David was the king, still, he responded righteously--and David received the label "man after God's own heart". Why? Although his sin was great, he accepted responsibility for the murderous, selfish behavior. He didn't pass blame, at all (certainly not to Uriah, the one destroyed, by his own words, command), or make any excuses (like Saul befor him) That, won God's heart! Even if, "thou art the man", it ain't over! You can still be the man or woman after God's own heart, if you choose. Don't be like Saul (after his battle against the Amalekites, in 1 Samuel 15:13,15,20,21), when he blamed the people. Saul was king, and he was responsible for the actions of the people. The people only followed the example of Saul--he spared Agag, so naturally, the people thought it was okay to keep back the best of the Amalekites spoil--and Saul concurred. Here is another lesson: how people see leaders behave, is generally, the same way that they will behave; it is therefore of utmost importance that leaders attempt to be blameless, by the grace of God. The people are watching!
Take note that God sends a prophet to confront both Saul and David--but their responses are like night and day. Saul played the "blame game" (with God and the prophet of God, how foolish!), but David immediately, sorrowed unto repentance. Saul was rejected by God, and lost the kingdom. David retained his kingship and continued to prosper. It was a choice for both leaders, as it is for us, today. God gives the command to treat your brothers and sisters in Christ, in love, but His grace, will keep Him from forcing you to do it.
That spirit of superiority is allowed to run churches and destroy people, without consequence and accountability. Not many seem concerned that God DOES have consequences--severe ones, for those who abuse His people. It always amazes me that whenever these things are brought to the attention of those at fault, they blame the person they have offended. They accuse them of not being able to let go of things, unforgiveness, being "too sensitive"--seeming to forget who was responsible for the actual offense. Sometimes, they even preach AT the already offended person/s from the pulpit, or talk about them across the lectern (supposedly) reserved for the preaching of the Gospel.
Still wondering why people are running from our churches en masse? It isn't one or two churches, either; it is epidemic. It may be happening at your church. If your church is large enough, you may not notice--or you may not notice, until well after that person or family has been gone.
So, what are we going to do about it? Those in the pews can only do so much--this one HAS to start at the top. Leadership, HAS to make a change. Leadership has to remember what the call to ministry is all about--to serve God's people. Not to lord over them. Not to abuse them. Not to take advantage of them. Not to hurt them. Leadership has to accept responsibility for the pain that they have inflicted upon the Body of Christ--no more sweeping it under the rug. The first step to change is ALWAYS honest acknowledgement of your mistakes/wrongs. Then it's time to confess--not just to God, but publicly--there must be some transparency and acountability. This is the only way to re-establish trust. Then, apologize--publicly--no need to state every wrong; that would be abusive to leadership, and vindictive, but apologies are healing. Some apologies need to be made to people, privately--that decision is between the leader and God. Leaders need to be willing to open the doors of their offices and open their ears and hearts, to allow people to express their feelings without fear of retribution. They have to take the reins off--people are hurting! That doesn't mean it's open season on leaders--we ALL have a responsibility to show love--in everything!
These are serious matters of the heart. It can't stop with leadership, though. Hurts have trickled down through congregations and have gone unrepentent and unresolved. They must be addressed. Some things have festered for so long--but it is amazing what sincere, heartfelt apologies and true repentance can do. Those who have been hurt have a responsibility to forgive, if they haven't already and to continue to (or begin to) love.
In this atmosphere, love can abound, respect can flourish and fellowship can be accomplished. In this atmosphere, the Holy Spirit will draw souls, because that's how it works: "By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, that ye have love one to another". When men and women see the love that we have one TO another, they will come--and stay. The Church won't just be a church, but a place of revival, of restoration and healing. Is that what we REALLY want? What are we willing to sacrifice to have it? Are we willing to expose ourselves to win the world, and each other. Or will it continue to be business, as usual?
THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, THAT HE MAY BE GLORIFIED.
And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
Aliens shall stand [ready] and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; people will speak of you as the ministers of our God. You shall eat the wealth of the nations, and the glory [once that of your captors] shall be yours.
Instead of your [former] shame YOU SHALL HAVE A TWOFOLD RECOMPENSE; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs.
For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong with violence or a burnt offering. And I will faithfully give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with them.
And their offspring shall be known among the nations and their descendants among the peoples. All who see them [in their prosperity] will recognize and acknowledge that they are the people whom the Lord has blessed.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth, so [surely] the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations [through the self-fulfilling power of His word]. (Isaiah 61:1-11)