We've had some discussion here over the last few weeks about how Christians are seen in our culture. Jason posted a blog here about what those outside the church will think about the recent government investigation of some big name ministries. This week I've been disappointed by a local "faith based" charity that (in my not so humble opinion) is using some questionable ethics in their fundraising. It's the kind of behaviour that will cause those who are already questioning the church to shake their heads and say "I knew it." Well if you doubt how people in our country really see Christians, I direct you to the Onion News Network. Now let me say before you watch it - Onion News is a parody news Network. They are doing something they see as funny. My contention is that many people outside the church while laughing at this would not see it as far from truth. And as an insider with some knowledge of how Christian organizations work, the only reason this might not be true is because some "christian" group hasn't thought of it yet. I do not say this to cast stones at anyone. We are Community Christian are always in danger of forgetting that our mission is about people. It's about helping people and reaching people and helping people reconnect with a Father who loves them and is constantly on the lookout for them to return. We just can't live with our heads in the ground to what normal people think about the church. Understanding how we are seen is a part of reaching out to people. Watch the parody and tell me what you think.
Christian Charity Raising Money To Feed Non-Gay Famine Victims
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
How we are seen
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5 comments:
That was a very interesting interview. What really bugged me about it was the fact that they would not help gays. Im not saying i support gays, but if your a church, why would you exclude people from being helped when they are in need. Would god do such a thing? I doubt it. Any way, that really is a mind blower there. That is one interesting church.
Simon remember I said this was a parody. It's not real. But the fact that people who don't go to church think it's funny means in a way they think it could be real.
Ok, i see now.
Well first how do we know that people who don't go to church think it is funny? Second their exclusion is no different than our on exclusion of people who need help but don't go to our church.
Sound like the pot calling the kettle black.
As far as how do we know that people think this particular video is funny - your right we don't. We do know that a vast majority of people online find the Onion funny. The Onion's podcast has been in the top downloads on the web for the last several years. And we know that the producers of the Onion thought this would be funny. But technically you are right we do not know that all people think this is funny.
On the part about our church not helping everyone who asks - I actually think you have a point. I can see how people who are outside could say that it's the same. We have limited resources and because we are commanded in the scripture to make sure that we can those in the faith first we have had to institute some kind of restrictions on helping people rent paymments, utilities, and bills. We do however help just about anyone who is traveling with gas for their automobile, and we provide as much food as we possibly can. I agree it should be more but we can only do what resources allow.
Now I know eveyrone would not agree but we believe that's different than excluding people on the basis of lifestyle choices. We help people who attend our churhc whether or not we agree with their lifestyle choices. I know it's not perfect but we feel it is better than "first come first serve." When we do that we are not able to help those to whom the Bible says we have a responsiblity - those in our church.
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