Ashamed of the Church: Disrespect
Ashamed of the Church: Disrepect is a post in the series “Ashamed of the Church.” The series follows my Lenten vow to honestly, yet respectfully, express my opinions and criticism of Christians and the Church. You’ll want to read the introductory post.
Recently, I attended the Music City Bowl in Nashville with some friends. As we walked towards LP Field on the pedestrian bridge, we approached a few men holding signs and shouting. As I got closer and could read their signs and hear their shouts, my heart sank. These were street preachers telling people as they passed they were going to hell. Not one word spoken about grace or forgiveness. Honestly, it was all I could do to maintain my composure.
Before I met Jesus, I dismissed these people as wackos. Shortly after I met Jesus, I thought they were spreading the Gospel. Now I believe they do great damage to it and here’s why I think so:
- These men made the assumption that I (and everyone else passing by them) was not a follower of Jesus. I didn’t know these men and they did not know the paths I had walked with Jesus. Frankly, I doubt they cared. They judged me without even asking my name.
- They decided that the best way to introduce me to Jesus was to tell me I was going to hell. Loudly. Graphically. In front of hundreds of people. In short, they had no respect for the very soul they were trying to “save”.
Now, I don’t want to come off as against evangelism. Jesus gives us a very clear commandment in Matthew to “go and make disciples”. I’m not even against street preaching, done respectfully. Jonah certainly preached an unpopular message as he walked through Ninevah. But Jonah was a reluctant messenger. He spent 3 days in the belly of a whale because he wouldn’t even set foot in Ninevah. As I’ve read the scriptures, its true that I see Jesus talking with people about unpopular subjects. Yet He always respected people and their decisions enough to let them walk away. For sure He got angry, yelled and shouted at people. But He reserved that for the Pharisees and the scribes. The righteous who should know better. Church people.
Some Christians have so beaten themselves up about being bold and courageous, they’ve mistaken the command for “go and piss people off” in the name of Jesus.
What are your experiences with Christians and street preachers that have been respectful? Have you ever encountered situations such as I’ve described? How did you handle it?
Photo credit: fmerenda
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