I sort of hope that no one reads this post. And then again....would it really be that bad if a preacher actually read it?
Ok, deep breath.... here goes.
Preachers, I just want to say that I thank you for all your hard work .....you prayers and the time and effort you take to create a church that I can attend in comfort and cleanliness.
But, would you graciously allow me to vent....just for today?
I just need you to understand something. Although I like preachers, I do not go to church because I like the preacher that is speaking.
I go to church to hear about Jesus. I want to learn more of the Bible. I want to understand the deep connections that pious preachers of yesteryears...made to explain life based on in depth studies of the holy scriptures.
I want to hear you explain the different meanings of a chapter of the bible based on the original foreign language it was written in.
I want to hear you worship....not because I like the sound of your voice.....but because I want to join with you in singing praises to my God.....who is holy.
When I leave church, I want to feel like I have been in the presence of God. I want the echoes of that presence to cling to my clothing....so that others can sense that glory. It isn´t my glory, .....its the holy glory of Heaven that pours upon His people when we take the time to worship Him.
And when I sit in church and watch the preacher intently, it is not because I like his appearance or clothing or the style of the podium......no. I watch the preacher because I am looking for Jesus. I long to hear Him speak. I long to hear the voice of my Saviour who says to me ¨Come unto Me, all ye who are weary....and I will give you rest.¨
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Admittedly, it must be quite trippy to be a pastor, to have so many humans listening to every word you utter. It must be quite challenging to stay grounded when your church takes off and grows into a juggernaut.
But in the midst of the growth and the fan fare and the need for bigger accountants and better ushers to manage the crowds....I find myself virtually alone in the sanctuary...feeling empty and unfilled.
I did not hear about Jesus today. I was not asked to read along in my bible I brought to the sunday service.
I heard about the pastor´s personal life from the pulpit today, whimsical and heartfelt stories of his life.
But that does not teach me anything about my Lord.
But how do I go on, without causing offence. I do not want to hurt the feelings of pastors who feel that they must preach from their personal experiences. How do I explain how hungry I am for the Word? How do I explain how the time is being squandered on humanistic experiences instead of sound teaching?
Please, Pastor, talk to me about Jesus. Worship Jesus on the pulpit, so I can join in.
Allow the speaking of tongues with interpretation, just like the early church did so many hundreds of years ago. Do not hate the prophetic.
Today the church was filled with fake smoke rolling across the stage. I couldn´t stop myself from coughing.
I am lonely for my Lord.
