Why is the church so negative and judgmental?
I recently read an article from The Barna Group titled, “A New Generation Expresses its Skepticism and Frustration with Christianity”. In it, the author states that, “A decade ago the vast majority of Americans outside the Christian faith, including young people, felt favorably toward Christianity’s role in society. Currently, however, just 16% of non-Christians in their late teens and twenties said they have a good impression of Christianity.” Later he wrote, “Even among young Chrstians, many of the negative images generated signifact traction. Half of young churchgoers said they perceive Christianity to be judgmental, hypocritical, and too political.”
My answer to the quesiton, “Why is the church so negative and judgmental? is, “It shouldn’t be!” and I have three reasons why I say that.
First, because it is not how Jesus, the founder and leader off the Church, acted. He was a ‘friend of sinners’ (Luke 7:33-34 and 15:1-2). That was his reputation! It is interesting that Jesus’ reputation with the irreligious people was that he was not negative and judgmental, but today the church’s reputation with the irreligious people is that we are! How sad.
Second, because it repels people from the church and the Christian faith. As much as Jesus attracted ’sinners’ to himself, the Pharisees repelled them. Their judmental attitude drove people away from God. It is the same today.
Third, because it is not the way Christians are to live. There are many verses in the New Testament that speak of the attitudes towards others that we are supposed to have, but none better than Ephesians 5:1, “Be imitators of fgod, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” We are suppose to live a life of love!
Clearly, not everyone who understands what Christ taught and what the Church stands for will be accepting of the Christian faith, but without a doubt, many more would, if our reputation better matched the reputation of Jesus!
I end this entry and blog by telling River Oaks that I am proud of the way you have reached out to ‘the least of these’ in our area and around the world with your resources and your love. You carry the message of the Gospel and the message of compassion and love into our community and world and in this way, you speak well of both Jesus and his Church! Way to go!
October 20th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Pastor Tim,
I have absolutely loved this series over the last few weeks; and I am so glad you covered this particular subject this week. I have definitely noticed the negativity and judgment of individuals in the church (generally speaking), and it has always bothered me. I really don’t think I would be a Christ-follower at all if I had based my decision on the judgments made by some Christians toward those who don’t yet believe. Sometimes I wonder why some Christians are this way–is it because Christians are too focused on themselves and how they think a Christian should be? Too busy following all the “rules” that they stop putting themselves in other people’s shoes? I have also been guilty of this; sometimes I think it is easier to just have a set “mold” that we think all Christians should fit into, and if they don’t, they couldn’t possibly be REAL Christ-followers. There are plenty of hypocrites out there, but sometimes I think Christians throw stones much to often. Admittedly, I don’t even like to call myself a Christian because I don’t think the world (especially my generation) associates that word with so many negative things. It’s almost like “Christian” has become a label with a stigma. I am glad River Oaks is working to change this. And I do find it encouraging, and I’m glad you made this point, that we can change that view of Christianity by being more like Jesus–by serving and loving instead of judging and criticizing.
Thank you so much for your teaching. I’m looking forward to the next series!
October 21st, 2008 at 8:59 am
I believe that a great deal of the negativity within the church may be born of the discouragement that comes with a failure to change culture and to convert people to the way of Jesus. When our mission as a body, being to witness to the resurrection and to go to the nations with the gospel, is showing little success it is inviting to become negative and to begin to cling to our individual salvation and give up our hope for the world. Our methods that don’t succeed and lead to our negativity should be examined. Freedom is inviting, and very positive. Followers of the way are told to not worry about tomorrow, because God is in control, and to not worry about what they will eat and be clothed in, because God will provide. These are things the have grappled our society, that run our economy and arguably our world, and through Christ we must live in freedom. And that will invite the world, to a different way of life, the way of Jesus- and we will lose quite a bit of our negativity.
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Thank You so much Tim, for your wonderful sermons! I always look forward to going to church. We started attending River Oaks when you were doing the series on Revelations and we were hooked.
We love it at River Oaks. My husband and I were especially rejuvenated this past Sun. I am so glad that you covered the issue of judgmental and negativity. I grew up Amish and I know not everyone is like that but I grew up in a very negative environment. My family seemingly couldn’t find the good in any situation and in fact I have an Aunt who believes it’s wrong to be positive all the time…:) Although my husband was not raised Amish he also grew up in a very unhealthy environment. We thank God every day that he has put people in our lives to help us get out of that rut. Believe me it takes constant vigilance. And we still slide back at times but our life is so much more fulfilling and richer than we ever could’ve imagined! If I would’ve had to make my decision about following Christ based on my family I would’ve said no way. Thanks to a wonderful friend of mine I was able to see that not everyone is like that. I’ve discovered too that the more I’m around positive people the easier it is. I’ve just made it a point of not spending too much of my precious time w/ negative people…:) I want to be the type of person that people are attracted to because they can see I’m happy and positive and love Jesus. Once again thank you for your time that you put into those sermons and we’re looking forward to the next series!