Criticizing is easy - Shepherding takes work

Aren't you tired of hearing people criticize the "American Church?" I am. It's so easy to do. But what good does it do? It only puffs us up and makes us feel good about being not that bad. It's really sad. It doesn't take a prophet to see how we've fallen as His Church, but come on - enough is enough.

I'm a pastor. I figure the best thing I can do for Jesus' Church is to be a good example and to pastor well - not to be an expert or a critic, but as a learner; one who is growing in ways to care:

1 Peter 5:2-4

"shepherd the flock of God that is among you,
exercising oversight, not because you must,
but because you are willing,
as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;
not lording it over those entrusted to you,
but being examples to the flock.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears,
you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."

Being an example and caring deeply for the flock has rippling effects - positive effects. Sitting back and being the expert, or critic doesn't produce anything but a critical spirit in others. I know it's the "in" thing to do and it does sound impressive. But if people are drawn to us in our criticialness, they're certainly not drawn to the Lord in us - since our Lord Himself is deeply in love with His Church.

In the passage above, Peter mentions that it's "God's flock." We are His treasured posession. He chose the word flock which is a term of affection, endearment. He has deep affection for His people, His Church; people who name the name of Jesus but are all flawed and sometimes act foolishly ...people like...well, like you and me.

Heb 2:11-12

Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy
are of the same family.
So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

Who is them?.. them that Jesus is not ashamed to call "Brother... sister"? If this only applied to those who followed Him all the time, then He'd be ashamed of us all. Yet, he includes all of us: He's not ashamed to call us who believe in Him his brothers and sisters. Are you ashamed to call those in your congregation "brother," "sister?" How about in other congregations?

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All I'm encouraging us all to do is this: Let's get in sync with Jesus in His love for His church. The bottom line is this: Jesus loves His Church, though it's quite faulty, and we ought to join Him in His deep love for His Church for which He died and intercedes.

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Eph 5:25-26

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Rom 8:33-34

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?
It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns?

Christ Jesus, who died

— more than that, who was raised to life —
is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Are we partnering with Jesus as He intercedes for His Church? Sure, we can't close our eyes on all the craziness that has crept into the Church. We need to free ourselves from that insanity. We also need to admit that, yes - Christians can be the flakyest, compromising, selfish, hateful and proud people on this planet, and we do need to warn, to exort, to encourage. But we can do so in a way that brings life - not in a critical way.

So, the next time I hear a criticism of the Church, instead of screaming "ENOUGH ALREADY!," I'm just going to let people gripe all they want and attend to my own business - of being an example and of shepherding the dear people of God that He has entrusted to me as His under-shepherd.


...........................................“It is not the critic who counts,

not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,

or where the doer of deeds could have done better.

The credit belongs to the man in the arena,

whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood,

who strives valiantly…who knows the great enthusiasm,

the great devotions and who spends himself in a worthy cause,

who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,

and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,

so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls

who have known neither victory or defeat.”

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- Teddy Roosevelt