What about the church?

My eyes have been opened.  I've personally watched many of the people that are "the church" absolutely turn from their faith and grow weary and cynical ...including myself at one time.  I have found that people-particularly my generation, are fed up and desire freedom to think for themselves and break out of the traditional church "model".  I've seen people who were devote followers of Christ-who gave it all for His ministry-crumble and fall.  Some have fallen into atheism, some cynicism and many even into drugs, alcohol, divorce or even jail time. Others have just fallen into complacency and indifference towards God and the church.

The one common thread I have seen with each and every example of these people has been their finger always seems to point at a pastor or the church itself. They each have stories and scars from what this church, pastor or friend did to them in the name of the Lord.  Each one seems to have deep seeded wounds and resentment towards the church as a whole because of the short comings of others.  I myself, grew very weary and even somewhat cynical for a season as I had enough of being disappointed by the church and it's leadership.  I've had enough of watching dear friends crushed under the assault of the enemy when he gets a hold of our leadership.  I had enough of watching "hypocrites" claim they follow Jesus when their secret life reflects the absolute opposite.  After a season of feeling this way, the Lord continued working in my heart and I slowly began to realize something - my perspective of the church was way off.

I have seen too many people who are so critical of their church leadership.  As if every problem and issue they have ever had is directly the Pastors fault.  

We seem to to think everything that happens in the church is reliant on the Pastor(s).  If the church isn't growing, its because of Pastor (fill in the blank) isn't preaching good enough, or the worship is boring.  If we aren't growing and feel weary, its the Pastor's fault for not leading us there. If we are hurting, its their job to bring us wholeness and healing.   Now, don't get me wrong, I do believe its a Pastor's role to feed his sheep and to partner with the Holy Spirit to do so, BUT, I also know that it is first and foremost OUR job.  

If you think about a Shepard (which is the role of a pastor) leading his sheep the Shepard can't just run ahead and expect them to follow-he can only lead them at a pace they can handle.  So, if you want more of God and more from your church, its time for us as the body of Christ-the church-to quit relying on our pastors to give us everything we need and start feeding ourselves. We need to start crying out to God for the manna, we need to start reaching out to those around us and bring them in our churches to fill our seats. If we want healing, then we need to do what it takes to get it.  Then when our Shepard starts to pick up the pace-we can handle it. 

Where are the people of God who truly hunger and thirst for righteousness?  A pastor or any church leadership are just servant leaders...they do their best but it was never meant to be all on the pastor or church leadership to make these things happen. If we want more of God we have to demand it...we have to change the way we do "church". We have to crave these things and put that demand there. How powerful would it be if the church would rise up and function as the church and encourage and work with our pastors towards the vision Gods placed on their hearts?