Hello out there?

We find God. 

We come back to community.

We often come with childlike faith - stretching out and asking for guidance and acknowledgment from those that are beside us, some leaders, some just there along the journey with us.

And for those that speak to us and walk this road with us, we find camaraderie, hope and frequent stories of the past and how we’ve finally made it to a little bit firmer footing. 

But I’m bummed at the church as a business.

Recently there have been several times those who are hired to Shepherd fall short. And I know they are imperfect men and women too, so I’m not trying to hold them to an unobtainable dynamic. But in my past and even in the most recent weeks I’ve found that ministry people suck. And what I mean by that is that I’ve tried recently with four separate Minister/Leader/People of the Church types to get a response, to set up a coffee, to get some information that I specifically reached out and asked for - even just get to know.

Only one has reached out. And that was after I had already found myself fed up and said ‘I’m done’. Done with the hierarchy of the corporate church. That man I’m thankful for. 

Just because you’ve been in church your whole life and attend every Sunday doesn’t mean that your faith isn’t shaky. We need support. Peter was the closest to Jesus other than John and he sank quickly when he lost sight. We need brothers and sisters that are willing and able to walk, to talk, to spend time with those that are outside of the walls. 

Because if those of us that are inside the walls are struggling to connect, how the hell do you think those on the outside feel? 

I’m not ‘better than’. I’m just another broken soul, trying to speak his truth. 

I find in myself that I’m not the best at getting back to people, connecting, taking the time to listen. Maybe it’s a lesson that I need to heed myself. 

One last note. For my work I was hired to do a job. That job is connecting with my customers, contacting them and setting up an appointment. Following through with information and circling back when and if I need to make sure that things are taken care of. I take it very seriously. Not because of the money that I get (that allows me to eat), but because it’s important. 

Shouldn’t we expect something similar from those that we hire to ‘do church’? 

On the other side, I have a beautiful Life Group/Sunday School class that truly does care. They are there because they love God and they do truly love other people. And to those people and a handful of others that I do interact with, I am so very thankful. You are the church!

~ Peace

The Burtle