So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. Hebrews 10:22-25 (MSG)
You can look up that verse in any translation- I think it means we need to attend church? There are many good church's in our valley and I hope you are plugged in to one and faithful. I don't know how people make it without a church family. I am thankful for my church family. They have been so encouraging, so patient with me, forgiving, helped to keep me accountable and helped me grow in my walk with Christ.
Reasons Why I Never Wash- in the Sunday bulletin:
I was forced to as a child. People who wash are hypocrites - they think they are cleaner than everybody else.
There are so many different kinds of soap; I can't decide which one is best.
I used to wash, but I got bored and stopped.
I wash only on special occasions, like Christmas and Easter.
None of my friends wash.
I'll start washing when I get older and dirtier.
I can't spare the time.
The bathroom is never warm enough in the winter or cool enough in the summer.
People who make soap are only after your money.
I don't like the songs people sing in the bathroom.
I can clean myself perfectly well whenever I pass a sink, so I don't need a bathtub.
I know how to stay clean without washing.
The last time I washed, someone was rude to me.
What I do doesn't affect anybody but me.
I know someone who washes every day and still smells bad.
I don't believe in soap. I sat beside a whole case of it for an hour once, and nothing happened.
Washing was invented by people who knew nothing about science.
If people saw me without my makeup, they would laugh at me.
I'm so dirty now that if I washed, the drain would clog.
Cats, dogs, and chickens never wash, and they are happy all the time.
Prehistoric humans were happy all the time until the first soap salesman made them feel guilty.
If I start washing again, my friends will think I am trying to conform to middle-class standards.
Washing is for women and children.
Washing is for people much dirtier than I am.
I will wash when I find the bathroom that is exactly right for me.
I only believe in things I can see, and I can't see bacteria.
Children need to see that it is OK to be different.
Children need to see a few bad examples.
Washing may have been OK in my grandfather's day, but it's not practical in today's world. I need to look dirty, talk dirty, and fight dirty to survive.
I watch other people washing on TV.
There are lots of clean people who never wash.
We've just moved here six years ago and haven't had a chance.
I bought a bad bar of soap once, so I swore I would never wash again!
I feel as close to washing on the golf course as I do in the bathroom.
I never wash when I have company.
Washday is the only day I have to sleep in.
My wife washes enough for the whole family
I know people who wash but don't act very clean.
Washing is the opiate of the masses.
May 17, 2012 By Kurt Bubna
Most pastors have been there, struggling over the news that someone they love and care about has left the church in a tizzy. It doesn’t matter if the church has a hundred people or ten thousand; it always leaves at least a little sting when they go. This is especially true if they go away mad. We cannot control what people do, but we should attempt to pastor them even on their way out the back door.
Some current realities:
1. Unfortunately, we live in a consumer-driven culture. There are a lot of options if they don’t like your church. “Tick me off,” they think, “and I’ll just take my church-business down the road.”
2. Too few truly understand the value of connecting and belonging to a local church at a meaningful level. People have a hard time staying the course in marriage these days. Bailing on a church is even easier for many.
3. Too often people come and go for the wrong reasons. They might have come to our church for the wrong reasons, and if so, they will probably leave someday for the wrong reasons.
Good reasons to leave a local church:
1. Heretical teaching.
2. Continued unrepentant sin in the leadership such as moral or financial failure.
3. Neurotic, controlling, and unbiblical leadership.
4. A major change in the church’s vision, values, doctrinal beliefs, or practices.
5. Relocation.
Ten important questions to encourage them to ask before they go:
1. Are you possibly reacting to something out of fear or a past wound?
2. Are you being proud or petty?
3. Are you being self-centered?
4. Are you being unrealistic in your expectations?
5. Do you realize that there’s no such thing as the perfect church or the perfect pastor?
6. Are you being divisive?
7. Do you realize the ripple effect of your decisions on others?
8. Do you have an unhealthy pattern of church-hopping?
9. Will it matter to anyone if you leave (i.e. will anyone care)? And if not, why not?
10. Do you understand the value of working through hardships and conflict?
What to say and do if they must go:
1. It may be hard, but it doesn’t have to be ugly. Let’s commit to loving each other no matter what.
2. Please don’t slide out the back door and hope no one notices. Talk to people who are connected to you in a God-honoring way.
3. Leave graciously, kindly, and in love. Bless rather than curse. Resist the temptation to concentrate on the warts and wrinkles of the church. You’ll find out, soon enough, that your new church has a few of these too!
4. As the pastor, you can lead the way by confessing your sin (own it). Ask God to heal any wounds, and ask for forgiveness of anyone you’ve hurt.
Conclusion…
The church is a family of faith. As any family does, we will fail each other from time to time. We will wound and disappoint each other. It should be difficult to go because we’ve lived our lives connected with a group of people whom we love and who love us.
That being said, people will go, but how someone leaves is important. As leaders and pastors, we have one last opportunity to teach those who move on. We have the privilege of speaking into their lives for the benefit of the Kingdom. So speak the truth in love for the sake of His Bride.
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